Chronic HAMSTRING Injury

[CheerCoachAng]

Alright here is a little background:

I pulled my right hamstring about 10 years ago (when I was 13) cheerleading. It healed up fine other then a little tightness. I cheered for about 10 years with no serious issues.

About 3 years ago I started running regularly. Around that time my right hamstring started bothering me again. Usually when sitting or driving for longer than 20 min at a time. I continued to ignore the injury and do my regular mileage.

About a year ago I went to a primary care physician and was diagnosed with a pinched nerve. The treatment for the pinched nerve did NOT help and I continued to have pain.

2 weeks ago I was running pretty hard and long and the following day I could barely walk. At that point I made an appt with a sports medicine doctor who I am seeing in a couple days. I have not been running on it since that first time and it has seemed to help.

Then, 2 nights ago I played softball on it (joined a co-ed softball league) and yesterday it was worse than ever...I couldn't walk or even sit without extreme pain. I only ran on it 3 times during the softball game but I am assuming it might have something to do with taking off/stopping so fast.

It is feeling better today but my question is has anyone ever experienced hamstring pain for years and what have you done to help?? Also, I am going crazy not running...I have been riding the bike and doing some weights and circuits but any other ideas to keep me distracted from not running would be great!

[Heidi]

Hi

Where is the pinched nerve? The most sommon site I have come across is in the butt! The tight muscles of the butt (piriformis and glut med mainly) impinge on the sciatic nerve which travels down the back of the leg, causing pain and tightness in the hamstrings.

If this is the case, massage therapy to these muscles and the hamstring usually helps, along with some serious stretching

Have a look here for some more info http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/hamstrings/referred_hamstring_pain.php

If this is the case, there is usually an underlying biomechanical cause, often weak pelvic stabilisers or a leg length discrepancy

Hope this helps!

Heidi