Hamstring Strain

A hamstring strain is an injury to the group of muscles located at the back of your thigh, known as the hamstrings. These muscles—biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus—are responsible for bending the knee and extending the hip. A strain occurs when these muscles are overstretched or torn, often during activities that involve sudden or powerful movements like sprinting, jumping, or abrupt changes in direction.

Hamstring strains are common among athletes but can also affect anyone engaging in physical activity, particularly if the muscles are tight, weak, or fatigued.

The symptoms of hamstring strain may include the following:

• Overstretching: When the muscle fibers are forced beyond their normal range of motion.
• Overloading: When the muscles are subjected to excessive force during activities like sprinting or jumping.
• Muscle Imbalances: Weak or tight hamstrings relative to other leg muscles, such as the quadriceps.
• Poor Warm-Up: Inadequate preparation before physical activity increases the risk of injury.

Treatment Case: 24 year old male

   The patient is a college soccer player, who sustained a hamstring strain in their right leg during a soccer match two weeks ago. The patient reported 6/10 on the pain scale, especially during stretching and activity. The location of the  pain was the posterior thigh, primarily in the mid to upper hamstring region. The patient also complained of restricted range of motion during hip flexion and knee extension. Upon palpation, there was some mild swelling and tenderness along the hamstring muscle belly.

   Treatment was done in order to reduce pain and inflammation, promote circulation and tissue repair, and restore flexibility and strength in the hamstring. The patient was treated twice a week for the first two weeks, then once a week for the next four weeks.

   After three treatments, the patient reported that the pain was now reduced to 1/10. While there was still some restriction of motion on thigh and hip extension, other movements presented no difficulties. The patient returned to light soccer practice with a focus on injury prevention, increasing warmups and stretching after practice. After the eight treatment, the patient reported that his symptoms were almost gone, and was discharged.  
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