pulled hamstring...

[Emmy4]

Hi, I lately did something stupid. I did the splits while I was unwarmed and barely stretched, and I most certainly pulled my hamstring. I heard a pop when I did it... I can't tell if i have a lot of pain of not, I've had a fractured collar bone before and never noticed...
I practice a sport at a national level, and I am not sure I want to talk about it to my coaches yet.
Can overstretching a muscle be severe for a sport that doesn,t require that much flexibility? In other words, should I consult and freak out right now

[Ruth]

Hi Emmy4,

I would strongly advise you at least seek the opinion of a sports doctor or physiotherapist for this injury, particularly at your level of sport performance!

If you have injured yourself it is important that you get this treated as soon as possible to prevent any detriment to future performance and potentially re-injury. Even if your sport doesn't require that much flexibility, a damaged hamstring can affect a wide range of actions including walking and running.

At the very least, this should highlight to both you and your coaches of the importance in allocating time to warming up and stretching in the prevention of injuries!

Have a look at the information here http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/hamstrings/hamstringstrain.htm which might be useful, particularly the stretching and strengthening pages.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.