Treatments for a Hamstring pull

Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important to prevent a pulled hamstring from becoming chronic; it doesn't take much to change a grade 1 strain into a grade 2 strain. Injuries to the muscle belly are best managed with adherence to the conservative treatment methods, which includes modifying and/or eliminating the activities that cause tenderness or discomfort in your hamstring area, and performing gentle strengthening and stretching once initial inflammation has gone down. Scar tissue can often develop with pulled hamstrings, where your soft tissue has pulled away from the bone. As your damaged hamstring tissues heal this dead, fibrotic tissue will be produced instead of forming brand new healthy tissue.

This tissue adheres to your muscle fibers, tendons, ligaments, fascia, nerves, and joints causing pain and preventing them from moving properly (this limits your range of motion, flexibility and strength). Patience is required with a pulled hamstring, as it can take time to revert to your normal state. Hamstring injuries often heal on their own but without proper rehab, they may not heal properly.

Returning to your activities too early can lead to chronic pain, which becomes much more difficult to treat afterwards. Allowing your injuries to heal properly is critical. Impatience in healing is one of the main causes that change a minor hamstring injury into a chronic hamstring injury.

Treatment methods and recovery times are really based on the severity of your strain, whether you have an acute or chronic strain, the type of treatment you receive, as well as your commitment to proper rehabilitation.
Grade 1 hamstring strains tend to take between a 1-3 weeks, and respond best to conservative home treatments, ultrasound and stretching/strengthening exercises.
Grade 2 hamstring strains tend to take between 4-8 weeks, and respond best to conservative home treatments, ultrasound and possible support aids, therapies and medications, along with a focused exercise program.

Serious athletes may undergo isokinetic strength testing following a muscle injury and during rehabilitation to help set up a customized exercise program. This is an indicator of recovery that tests range of knee movement; concentric, eccentric and isometric strength testing; endurance testing; quadricep: hamstring ratio (ideally 60:40 or 100:75); and will identify areas of weakness areas.

URICE: This philosophy is used to decrease inflammation and relieve pain for a chronic or diagnosed pulled hamstring within the first 48 hours of a flare-up:

Ultrasound around your injured hamstring for 5-10 minutes, 3 times per day. This is best accomplished with a personal, therapeutic ultrasound device.

Rest your hamstring and leg and limit your activity; you may want to use a walking aid (cane or crutches) to prevent immediate weight bearing if severely damaged or painful.

Ice your hamstring area 2-3 times/day for approximately 15-20 minutes at a time to help reduce blood flow and fluid build up in your hamstring. Gel packs are a better option than frozen peas if possible, as they mold to your leg shape and are reusable. Our cold compression leg wrap is perfect for stabilizing those hamstring muscles and reducing inflammation simultaneously.

Compress your hamstring if possible by adding light pressure to minimize swelling (make sure the compress is snug, but not too tight as it could cause numbness, tingling or more pain).

Re-freezable cold therapy compresses are excellent because they provide ice therapy, compression and a protective covering to prevent skin burn from the cold. This combination drives the cold deeper into the injured tissue than regular ice packs, and speeds the healing process. These compresses are fitted to your thigh, easy to use, mess-free and re-usable

Elevate your hamstring above chest level to relieve the pressure and allow any fluid to drain from your injured area.

If you do not have access to ultrasound therapy or you have experienced an acute hamstring injury and/or have not been diagnosed, adhere to the RICE philosophy within the first 48-72 hours. Gentle massage around the hamstring area or small flexing or extending movements will also help increase blood flow, oxygen, nutrients, and will prevent stiffness.

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