Are your hamstrings a pain? - Page 1

Written by Andrew Peters D.O. Registered Osteopath mailto:osteopath@eventrate.com

Pain, aches and general discomfort in the back (posterior) of the thigh can arise from many different problems. One of the most frequently implicated structures when things go wrong is the hamstring muscle.

The hamstring muscles are a group of three muscles located at the back of the thigh: the biceps femoris, the semi-membranosus and the semi-tendinosus.
These muscles are extensors of the hip joint and flexors of the knee.
In addition these muscles act to rotate the leg when the knee is flexed, helping to stabilise the pelvis on the thigh.

Because the hamstring muscles act over two joints they are particularly vulnerable to injury. This is especially true when sprinting, as the muscle are stretched at the hip and knee, while at the same time bracing the leg ready for the point of heel strike.
Injury can also come when running up hill, especially if the surface is loose or slippery, or damage can arise from direct trauma eg. a kick to the back of the thigh.

Damage to muscles ranges from minor tears of a few fibres, to total rupture of the muscle.
Any injury to a muscle will result in pain and inflammation, which should be controlled by using RICE: Rest, Ice (up to 10minutes 3 –4 times a day) Compression (“Tubigrip” etc) and Elevation.
This regime should be maintained for 72 hours. Do not massage the muscle in this early phase as you may cause more bleeding in to the muscle.
Do protect the injured area from further trauma when ever possible.