Treatment for Hamstring Injury – Know the Options Hamstring strain occur when you pull your hamstring muscles that run along the back of your thigh. The article lists the top treatment modalities for hamstring injuries.
A hamstring strain causes a sudden sharp pain at the back of the thigh. This injury occurs when you strain or pull the hamstring muscles (one or more of the three muscles) that run along the back of your thigh. Hamstring muscles are active during activities that involve sudden bending knee movements such as running, jumping and climbing. Reputable healthcare centers offer rehabilitation services in Brooklyn to address the pain and other symptoms associated with this condition. A common sports injury, the condition is more common in athletes and sportsmen playing soccer, basketball, football, tennis or sports that involve sprinting with sudden stops and starts. Hamstring injury can also occur in dancers. Factors that increase the risks of this injury include muscle imbalance, poor flexibility, and prior hamstring injury.
Common Symptoms Involved in Hamstring Injury Mild hamstring strains may cause tightness or low-grade pain in the muscles. On the other hand, severe cases can be extremely painful, making it impossible for the person to even walk or stand properly. Other associated symptoms include – ▪
Weakness in the muscles that can persist for weeks after suffering strain
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Sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping or popping feeling
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Severe pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking, straightening the leg, or bending over
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Tenderness and swelling
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Bruising or discoloration of the back of the leg below the knee over the first few days after the injury
Treatment The initial goal of treatment is to reduce pain and swelling. To accomplish this, your pain management doctor will recommend rest and avoiding strenuous activities to allow the injury to heal. Rest with your leg elevated above the level of your heart, if possible, to improve drainage and minimize swelling. Use a cane or crutches to avoid putting your full weight on your injured leg. Wrapping the injured area with a compression bandage or wearing compression shorts help minimize swelling. Sports injuries treatment in Brooklyn healthcare centers involves a combination of non-invasive modalities to help reduce pain, tenderness and weakness •
Physical therapy – Physical therapy involves exercises like gentle stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
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Chiropractic care – Chiropractic treatment helps fix the normal alignment of the joints, reduce inflammation and allows the damaged tendons to heal more quickly.
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Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – TENS uses low voltage electric stimulation to relieve pain.
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Anti-inflammatory medications – Medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce pain and inflammation.
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Ice application – Applying ice packs (for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours a day) to the injured hamstring muscles will help limit the swelling and inflammatory reaction and stimulate blood flow to the injured area.
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Heat application - Applying a heat pack prior to stretching or exercising may help to warm up the injured muscle and loosen the tissue. Generally, many patients find it beneficial to contrast treatment wherein the injured hamstring muscles are alternately warmed, then iced, again in an effort to stimulate blood flow to the injured area.
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Game Ready Cold Therapy and Compression – This therapy system involves the application of controlled cold therapy and intermittent compression to promote tendon healing.
The length of the recovery time will depend on the severity of symptoms and location of injury. Surgery will be considered only as a last resort if the above-listed noninvasive treatment modalities do not provide the expected results. To prevent re-injury, return to normal activity only when the hamstring muscles have regained strength.
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