All About Hamstring Injuries:
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
A hamstring injury can be extremely painful and frustrating, as it often occurs in athletes at the height of their performance. A hamstring injury doesn’t have to ruin your whole athletic season, though!
By understanding what causes hamstring injuries, what symptoms they have, and how physical therapy can help, you can make sure you heal quickly and get back to doing what you love as soon as possible.
Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)
Runner’s knee most commonly affects distance runners, who may feel an uncomfortable sharpness underneath or behind their kneecap when they bend down during activities like running, jumping or squats. The reason? Patellofemoral pain syndrome is caused by a combination of tight hamstrings and quadriceps muscles, weak hip abductors and tight iliotibial band. All of these issues can be treated at Pinnacle Physical Therapy!
Hip Flexor Strain/Pull
A hamstring injury occuring on one side of your body is called a strain or pull—and it can happen to anyone from cyclists to soccer players to weightlifters.
What Are The Symptoms Of a Hamstring Injury?
The most common symptom of a hamstring injury is a feeling of tightness or pain in one or both of your legs. As in any physical injury, it’s important to see a physical therapist to get an accurate diagnosis. More severe symptoms can include loss of range of motion (the ability to bend and flex your legs) or a complete inability to move your leg.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
When you have a hamstring injury, it’s important to rest it so it can heal properly. That said, there are various types of physical therapy, which can help you rehabilitate your hamstring injury.
We can work with you to create a rehabilitation plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. For example, we might teach you how to stretch correctly or provide exercises designed to strengthen your hamstrings while they’re healing. A physical therapist can also give you advice on what activities you should avoid (or at least reduce) while your hamstring is injured.