Hamstring Strains: From Sudden Sprint to Recovery and How Osteopathy Can Help
A sharp pain in the back of your thigh during a sprint, kick, or sudden stretch is a hallmark sign of a hamstring strain. This common injury affects athletes and active individuals alike, often requiring careful management to ensure full recovery and prevent frustrating re-injuries. As a group of three muscles critical for running and jumping, the hamstrings are particularly vulnerable during high-speed or explosive movements.
Osteopathy offers a comprehensive approach to hamstring strain recovery. We look beyond the injured muscle to assess and treat the underlying biomechanical factors that contributed to the strain, supporting optimal healing and a strong return to activity.
Key Facts About Hamstring Strains
High Re-injury Rate: Hamstring strains have one of the highest recurrence rates of any muscle injury, often due to incomplete rehabilitation or unresolved underlying issues.
Common in Sports: They are prevalent in sports involving sprinting, kicking, and sudden acceleration/deceleration (e.g., football, soccer, athletics).
Graded by Severity: Strains are classified into three grades, from mild (Grade 1) with minimal fibres torn, to severe (Grade 3) involving a complete muscle tear.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
A hamstring strain typically occurs when the muscle is overloaded—stretched beyond its capacity or forced to contract too forcefully. Key risk factors include:
Muscle Imbalance: An imbalance between the strength of the quadriceps (front of thigh) and the hamstrings, or between the different hamstring muscles themselves.
Poor Flexibility: Tight hamstrings and hip flexors increase the strain on the muscle-tendon unit.
Fatigue and Inadequate Warm-up: Exercising tired muscles or without proper dynamic preparation.
Previous Injury: A history of hamstring strain is the single strongest predictor of future injury.
Biomechanical and Lumbopelvic Factors: This is a key osteopathic focus. Dysfunction in the lower back (lumbar spine) or pelvis, such as restricted joint mobility or poor motor control of the gluteal muscles, can alter running mechanics and place excessive strain on the hamstrings.
Sudden Increase in Load: A rapid change in training intensity, volume, or type.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Sudden, Sharp Pain: In the back of the thigh during activity, often causing an immediate stop.
Pain with Movement: Difficulty walking, straightening the knee fully, or bending forward.
Tenderness and Swelling: Localised to the injured area.
Bruising: May appear a day or two after the injury, tracking down the back of the leg in more severe cases.
Weakness: A feeling of instability or weakness in the leg when trying to use it.
How Can Osteopathy Help with a Hamstring Strain?
Osteopathic management is tailored to the stage of healing. The goals are to manage pain, promote optimal tissue repair, restore full function, and address the root causes to prevent recurrence.
During your initial consultation, we will:
Take a detailed history of the injury mechanism, your activity levels, and any previous leg or back issues.
Perform a physical examination to assess the injury's severity, your range of motion, strength, and gait.
Conduct a biomechanical assessment of your lumbar spine, pelvis, hips, and knees to identify any contributing dysfunctions.
This holistic assessment is vital because a stiff lower back or weak glutes can be the primary reason your hamstrings were overloaded.
What Does Osteopathic Treatment Involve?
Treatment evolves as you heal, focusing on different priorities at each stage:
Acute Phase (Initial 72 hours): Focus is on pain management and reducing inflammation using gentle techniques that encourage fluid drainage, alongside advice on the PEACE principles (Protect, Elevate, Avoid anti-inflammatories, Compress, Educate).
Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Phase: Hands-on treatment becomes more active and may include:
Soft Tissue Therapy: Gentle massage and myofascial release to the hamstring and surrounding muscles to reduce scar tissue adhesion and improve flexibility.
Joint Mobilisation: Gentle articulation of the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints, hips, and knees to restore normal mechanics and remove compensatory strain.
Addressing Contributing Factors: Treating identified dysfunctions in the pelvis or spine that contributed to the strain.
Providing Personalised Rehabilitation Guidance: You will receive a tailored, progressive exercise program including:
Range of Motion: Gradual stretching within pain limits.
Strengthening: Isometric, then concentric, and finally eccentric (lengthening under load) exercises, which are crucial for hamstring resilience.
Neuromuscular Re-education: Drills to restore running mechanics, coordination, and gluteal activation.
Return-to-Sport Planning: A graded plan to safely rebuild your capacity.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
It is important to get a proper diagnosis for a severe injury. Please consult your GP or seek urgent care if you experience:
A "popping" or tearing sensation with immediate severe pain and an inability to bear weight.
Significant swelling and bruising that appears rapidly.
Visible deformity in the muscle or a suspected complete tear (Grade 3).
Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot.
Your GP can confirm the diagnosis, rule out other injuries, and refer you for imaging (e.g., ultrasound) if necessary.
Recover Stronger and Smarter
A hamstring strain requires patience and a proactive rehabilitation strategy. Osteopathy provides a holistic framework for recovery, ensuring your entire musculoskeletal system supports the healing process and you return to activity stronger and more resilient than before.
Click here to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced osteopaths. Let us help you navigate your recovery with confidence.
References
*Heiderscheit, B. C., Sherry, M. A., Silder, A., Chumanov, E. S., & Thelen, D. G. (2010). Hamstring strain injuries: recommendations for diagnosis, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 40(2), 67-81. [Link: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2010.3047]*
*Askling, C. M., Tengvar, M., Saartok, T., & Thorstensson, A. (2007). Acute first-time hamstring strains during high-speed running: a longitudinal study including clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 35(2), 197-206. [Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0363546506294679]*
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2020). Sports injury hospitalisations in Australia. [Link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/sports-injury-hospitalisations-australia-2019-20/contents/summary]
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a registered health practitioner, such as your General Practitioner (GP) or osteopath, for diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. The information provided is based on the best available evidence at the time of publication. Individual results from osteopathic treatment may vary based on the severity of the injury and the individual’s response to care and rehabilitation. The exercise rehabilitation component is crucial for managing this injury, and adherence to a tailored program is essential for optimal outcomes and prevention of re-injury.