Hamstring Strain

A hamstring strain is an an injury of the muscle group at the back of your thighs, which may also often tear. People with a hamstring strain usually feel a sudden sharp pain or pulling sensation in the back of the thigh. This type of injury is commonly treated by our Sports Chiropractor at Advanced Sports Chiropractic.

Our Sports Chiropractor may use several treatment methods for patients with a hamstring strain. These are vital to the healing process and reduce the likelihood of re-ocurrence.

Hamstring Strain Treatment

A thorough examination by our Sports Chiropractor is usually sufficient to diagnose a hamstring strain. Sometimes further investigations such as an MRI scan or ultrasound may be required.

Hamstring strain (or groin strain) treatment may include:

• soft tissue massage
• anti-inflammatory advice
• stretches and joint mobilization
• ice or heat treatment
• exercises to improve strength, flexibility or balance
• advice on suitable exercise
• bio mechanical correction of the pelvis and low back and feet
• prescription of custom orthotics and footwear advice
• return to activity plan
• exercise advice and technique correction

Hamstring Strain Causes

• a pelvic imbalance which then alters the function of the surrounding joints, ligaments and muscles.
• due to rapid acceleration whilst running where excessive tension and too much repetition or force is required
• sports that involve running or kicking, such as football, hockey and athletics (particularly sprinters, hurdlers, and long jumpers)
• commonly in older athletes and particularly following an inadequate warm-up.

There are several grades of hamstring strains ranging from a grade 1 to a grade 3 tear:

• Grade 1: a small number of torn fibres resulting in some pain, but with full function.
• Grade 2: a significant number of torn fibres with moderate loss of function.
• Grade 3: all muscle fibres are ruptured resulting in major loss of function.

The majority of hamstrings strains are grade 2 tears.

Most patients with a hamstring strain heal very well with appropriate Chiropractic treatments. The success of the treatment is largely related by patient compliance, which may include the patient resting sufficiently from any activity that increases their pain until they are symptom free. This begins the healing process in the absence of further tissue damage. Once pain free, a gradual return to activities is indicated provided there is no increase in symptoms.

Ignoring symptoms or adopting a ‘no pain, no gain’ attitude is likely to lead to the condition becoming chronic. Immediate and appropriate treatment in patients with a calf strain is essential to a speedy recovery. Once chronic, healing slows markedly leading to increased recovery times.

A gradual flexibility and strength program provided our Sports Chiropractor is essential for reconditioning and reducing the re-ocurrence of the hamstring strain injury.

With appropriate management, patients with a minor hamstring strain can usually recover in two to four weeks. A more severe hamstring strain may take four to six weeks or longer for recovery. Where a complete rupture of the hamstring muscle has occurred, surgery may be required followed by intensive rehabilitation. Return to sport or activity may take six months or longer.

At Advanced Sports Chiropractic, we not only look to provide treatments to assist recovery at the site of injury, but to assess and correct the underlying causes that may have resulted in the injury. Therefore, we can achieve a more complete resolution of your injury and avoid re-occurrence.