please help diagnose my thigh injury please

[fraherg]

Hi Guys
I was playing a match for my football team a couple of weeks ago, ( i play/manage the team) and I didn't warm up, i was a bit stressed with some player issues before the game , and I didnt follow my normal stretching warm ups before a match.
Towards the end of the game i felt a dull ache in my bum cheek (sorry dont know how else to word it) the pain is just a dull ache, i rested it for a week then went interval training, and felt it after a while, same so stopped, its still aching after two weeks rest, and does hurt whilst driving long journeys, I have tried to ICE it but I find that applying ICE makes the ache worse, i do wear compression shorts to try and help it recover.
There are no bruises and no swelling.
Does it sound like a normal hamstring sprain? i plan to do some strengh excercises and streching one the pain has gone away but is there anything i can do to speed up the recovery process at all please?

[Heidi]

Hi
It doesn't sound like a hamstring strain if the ache is coming from deep in the buttock?
More likely that piriformis has gone into spasm.
Try the piriformis stretch and also the gluteal ones on this page: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/allstretches.php
Sports massage would also be very effective to help loosen it

[fraherg]

hi
wow thats fab if its not a sprain, i wll try the excersies tonight, thank you very much i am so happy

[fraherg]

Hi
I have been stretching for a few days now and also have looked up other stretches but it doesnt seem to be helping, is there any thing else I can do on top of the stretches to help at all?

[Heidi]

It does depend what is causing the pain. if it is piriformis then massage can really help. A sports massage therapist will do that for you. self massage can also be done with a tennis ball