PAIN AT THE BACK OF YOUR LEG?

Hamstrings are a group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh.

They allow you to bend your leg at the knee. Hamstrings get injured as a result of strain or tear to the tendons or large muscles.

Unfortunately, hamstring strains are both common and painful. They strike athletes of all sorts — including runners, skaters, and football, soccer, and basketball players.

During a hamstring strain, one or more of these muscles gets overloaded. The muscles might even start to tear. You’re likely to get a hamstring strain during activities that involve a lot of running and jumping or sudden stopping and starting.

Cause of hamstring strain

• Tight hamstrings
• Lack of warm up before exercising.

• The muscles in the front of your thigh (the quadriceps) are tight as they pull your pelvis forward and tighten the hamstrings.
• Weak glutes. Glutes and hamstrings work together. If the glutes are weak, hamstrings can be overloaded and become strained.
• Lack of proper stretching before or after exercising.

Symptoms of hamstring strain.

Mild hamstring strains may not hurt too much. But severe ones can be agonizing, making it impossible to walk or even stand.

• Sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping or popping feeling.
• Pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking, straightening the leg, or bending over.
• Tenderness.
• Bruising.

Treatment.

In case of a hamstring strain, there is need to consult your physical therapist who will help you with the following;

1. Do proper examination and give a diagnosis.
2. Will release tension on the hamstring.
3. Guide you in proper stretching and strengthening exercises for both the hamstring and glutes.