what did i do?

[nyr4life]

hi everyone, a week or so ago i was running while working out for my upcoming football season and felt a little i guesss tweak.... i didnt feel or hear a pop as some say they do but i still felt some discomfort, since then i was able to run fine but as the workouts went on my hamstring started to feel sore with the occasional sharp pain.....the pain is in no way unbearable but it is uncomfortable....any help is appreciated so i can get back on the field in 100% condition! thank you

[runningmad]

Sounds like what I have, no pop, just gradual pain in the hamstring. Though my football days are over, I run a lot and the pain just kept creeping up. I received some good advice from Heidi, as well as a diagnosis that sounds more accurate than a pulled hamstring. Good luck.
PS: I'm a nyr as well.

[nyr4life]

thank you, LGR! haha

[Heidi]

Hi,

This one sounds a bit more like a hamstring strain. Although you may not have felt a pop, a twinging feeling can be due to a tear in a few of the fibres. You would only really get a full-on pop in a serious tear. I presume you have no bruising or swelling and so this is not the case.

My advice is to stretch the hamstring, provided it is pain-free on a 3xdaily basis. Stretch it to the point of feeling a gentle stretch, (no pain) hold it for 30 seconds. If you feel the stretch ease off, go a little further. Repeat this twice each time.

I would also really advise some sports or deep tissue massage. It is excellent for hamstring problems. Really helps to loosen up the muscle fibres and break down any build up of scar tissue. A couple of these and it should start to feel better.

Dont play for the next 2-3 weeks and dont do any other sports that involve fast paced change of direction/sprinting etc. Once it is comfortable, start some strengthening exercises with a resistance band ideally. Just bending the knee against this resistance will start to help to strengthen it. If it is pain free at the time and the next day, first up the number of reps and then if it continues to be fine, up the resistance. After a couple of weeks move on to squats/lunges etc.

Its also worth thinking about core exercises. A weak core and unstable pelvis are common reasons why a hamstring may tear. So strengthening this will help with prevention.

Check out this page for strengthening ideas:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/hamstrings/hamstringstrain.htm

[nyr4life]

thank you very much, my trainer started working with me yesterday and i am wearing a brace right now, she has me on a stretch routine and im not allowed to do extended sprints untill im strong enough, but thanks for the help i will definatley look into what you recommended. I hope to get my legs stronger than ever