Hamstring Strain- Know About The Common Signs And Treatment
Hamstring Strain- Know About The Common Signs And Treatment
Muscle injury can cause mild to severe pain. In most cases, the athletes, including skaters, runners, basketball players and football players, have this injury. Based on the type of injury and its location, we call it with different names. One of the most known muscle injuries is the hamstring pull.
A concept on hamstring–
The hamstring comprises three muscles, running along your thigh’s back portion. It enables you in bending your legs. While you have overloaded muscles, you would have hamstring strain. Your muscles start wearing at the time of running, lunging, sprinting or jumping.
We have a total of 4 hamstring muscles. Laterally, there are two muscles- long and short heads. Medially, the other two muscles are semitendinosus and semimembranosus.
Symptoms, indicating your hamstring injury–
Minor hamstring pull can cause mild aching and tightness the hamstring. On the other hand, the serious level hamstring pulls are very painful. You cannot stand or walk properly. The symptoms, indicating the hamstring strain, include
· Bruising
· A bit tenderness
· Painful feeling at the backside of your thigh
· Sudden pain while doing physical workouts
The doctor or physiotherapist will take time to find out the signs of contraction and reduced flexibility of your hamstring. However, MRI and ultrasound scanning process are effective at identifying the location of a hamstring tear. We have applied grading, based on the severity of the hamstring pull.
First grade–
This first-grade strain prevents you from running at the optimum speed. You will also feel some discomfort. You may have a mild spasm and swelling for this problem.
Second grade-
This can affect your walking style, and you will feel sudden hamstring pain. Your hamstring muscles will have a swelling problem and start palpitating. While bending the knees, you will have an aching sensation.
Third grade–
It is the most severe level of a hamstring strain, as it can wear and tear the muscles. In most cases, there is a need for crutches for walking. When you have this injury on your legs, the affected parts will have brushing and swelling problem within a short time.
What are the ways to reduce your hamstring strain?
Physiotherapy helps alleviate the hamstring pulls.
- Reduce the inflammation and aching from a hamstring strain
- Restore the normal motion of your muscles
- Add strength to your hamstrings and knee muscles
- Make your limb muscles, pelvic muscles and hip stronger
- Helps in improving your running speed
- Minimize the hamstring injury risk in future
The anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal drugs are other treatment options for a hamstring pull. These drugs reduce swelling and pain. However, as there is a risk of side effect, you have to speak to the physicians before taking the medications. In addition, you can apply a heat pack to let the affected muscles loosen your tissues.
Other ways to heal your hamstring strain is to do strengthening workouts. Thus, look for professional therapists to know the right physical workouts. The proper workouts would strengthen your hamstrings, and in this way, it ensures protection to your hamstring.
