Hamstring strains are a common injury experienced by athletes, especially those who engage in high-intensity sports like basketball, football, and track and field. The pain can be excruciating, leading many to wonder if they will ever recover from this injury. A hamstring strain occurs when one or more of the three muscles located at the back of your thigh is stretched too far or torn. In this post, we’ll discuss whether hamstring strain hurts all the time and what you can do to manage the pain.
The severity of a hamstring strain determines how much pain you experience. A mild hamstring strain causes some discomfort but does not typically result in severe pain, however, you may experience hamstring strain pain when resting especially after exercise. You may feel slight tightness or soreness in the back of your thigh when walking or running, but it should not cause significant discomfort. However, if you have a moderate to severe hamstring strain, you may experience intense pain that makes it challenging to move around, and even cause hamstring strain pain overnight.
The good news is that there are several ways to relieve hamstring strain pain. Physiotherapists recommend rest as the first line of treatment for any muscle strain. Taking a break from activities that aggravate your injury can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Applying ice packs to the affected area for 20 minutes every two hours can also help reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
Chiropractors are also skilled professionals who specialize in treating people with muscle injuries like hamstring strains. Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore proper alignment to your spine and improve nerve function throughout your body while reducing muscle tension and promoting tissue healing.
While resting is essential for healing from a hamstring strain, it’s equally important to engage in physiotherapy exercises that target strengthening and stretching your hamstrings gradually. Some physiotherapy exercises include leg curls with resistance bands, lunges, squats with light weights on each side of your body, standing hamstring stretches, and seated leg raises.
For severe cases of hamstring strain where pain is debilitating, medication may be prescribed to help manage the discomfort. Painkillers like Ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Your doctor may also prescribe muscle relaxers to reduce muscle tension and promote healing.
In conclusion, hamstring strains do not always hurt all the time, but the severity of your injury will determine how much pain you experience. Rest and physiotherapy exercises are essential for treating a hamstring strain, along with chiropractic adjustments that aim to restore proper alignment to your spine. With time and patience, most people recover from their hamstring strain and return to their normal activities without any pain or discomfort. If you’re experiencing any pain in your hamstrings or have any concerns about this injury, seek professional advice from a physiotherapist or chiropractor.
