Hamstring injuries are both common and painful and often occur as a result of playing sports. Hamstring strains can range in severity- from mild to severe. Chiropractic care for a pulled hamstring includes building musculature strength in the hamstrings and surrounding muscles, increasing the range of motion of the thigh, and breaking up scar tissue.
What is a Pulled Hamstring
The hamstring is composed of a group of four muscles that run along the back of the thigh. It is the muscle group that allows the leg to bend at the knee. If your hamstring muscles become overloaded during an activity, the muscle can become strained and might even begin to tear, resulting in a pulled hamstring.
The Causes of a Pulled Hamstring
Pulled hamstrings are a common sports injury and often occur in sports that involve sprinting and sudden stops. Sports more likely to result in an injury include soccer, basketball, football, and tennis. Runners and dancers are also more likely to suffer a pulled hamstring.
In addition to sudden movements, the failure to properly warm up the muscles prior to exercising can also lead to a pulled hamstring. Similarly, poor flexibility and range of motion can strain the hamstrings. Inflexible muscles may not be able to bear the full force of the sudden movements required during certain activities. Tight quadriceps (the muscles in the front of the thigh) and weak glutes can also overload the hamstrings and result in a sprain.
Prior injury to the muscle can also lead to reinjuring the hamstrings. Once you’ve had one hamstring injury, you are more likely to have another one. A reinjured hamstring is more likely to occur if you resume activities at pre-injury levels before the strained muscles have had a chance to heal and rebuild strength.
The Symptoms of a Pulled Hamstring
Pain from a pulled hamstring can vary in severity. A mild hamstring strain may not hurt too much while more severe strains can make it impossible to walk or stand. At the time of injury, people can experience sudden and severe pain during exercise. Sometimes a popping or snapping feeling occurs. Pain from a pulled hamstring can occur when walking, running or even bending over. The pain is felt in the back of the thigh and lower buttocks. Swelling, tenderness or bruising may also result from a pulled hamstring.
The Treatment of a Pulled Hamstring
Chiropractic treatment of a pulled hamstring can help relieve pressure on the muscles and surrounding nerves, promote muscular and spinal health, and improve overall health. With the help of deep tissue procedures, chiropractic care can increase soft tissue motion of the hamstrings and surrounding musculature. Adjustments can also free up joint motion of the lumbar spine. Chiropractic care can include ultrasound and elective muscle stimulation which can break up scar tissue and restore muscle tone.
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