pulled hamstrings

[ezra]

Just got a call from a new client that has a pulled hamstring. That is a DRs diagnosis, not hers. She said he told her to get massage to help with the discomfort. Other than the usual tried and true techniques, does anyone have any advice or magic moves they can share with me to help this client? I am seeing her tomorrow afternoon.
TIA!

 

[Eternity]

i like to stress to my clients with hamstring problems to make sure they focus on stretching the quads. people with recurring hamstring issues usually stretch them too much when what they really want to do is work on strengthening the hams and stretching the quads. just my 2 cents.

 

[i make cute babies]

people with recurring hamstring issues usually stretch them too much when what they really want to do is work on strengthening the hams and stretching the quads. just my 2 cents.

That's interesting. Most people I know have tight hamstrings & very weak/overstretched quads (caused by sitting for long periods of time). However, all of the muscles of the legs & hips are connected, so cosmictouch, I recommend addressing the hamstrings, quads, adductors & hip muscles. You'll probably find tension throughout. You can also do some strength/flexibility tests on the various muscles to determine for this client which need stretching & which need strengthening. Good luck!

 

[heybulldog]

Most people I know have tight hamstrings & very weak/overstretched quads (caused by sitting for long periods of time)

Wouldn't rectus femoris be more likely to be short if the client sits for long periods?
x
Henry

 

[7K3]

Wouldn't rectus femoris be more likely to be short if the client sits for long periods?

Perhaps, but what about the rest of the quadriceps muscles (vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius & vastus medialis)? Their job is to extend the leg. When people sit for long periods of time, they leave their legs in permanent flexion, overstretching and weakening those three quadriceps muscles. Simultaneously, the hamstrings are put in a shortened position during sitting, and also have the added pressure of body weight pressing the hamstrings into the chair.

 

[Jazeera]

Perhaps, but what about the rest of the quadriceps muscles (vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius & vastus medialis)? Their job is to extend the leg. When people sit for long periods of time, they leave their legs in permanent flexion, overstretching and weakening those three quadriceps muscles. Simultaneously, the hamstrings are put in a shortened position during sitting, and also have the added pressure of body weight pressing the hamstrings into the chair.

Yup, this is what I was taught, too.

 

[James Yang]

It's cool. I wasn't disagreeing with your comment that the rest of the quads test long if the person sits for long periods. I mention rectus femoris because (1) it tests short if the person sits for long periods and (2) it is the only quad that crosses the 2 joints, just like the hamstrings crosses 2 joints. Bearing this in mind, I have found that the tonus of rectus has a greater impact on the tonus of hamstrings (and vice versa) than the rest of the quads. Probably because of the opposing forces they both put on each other in assisting in balancing the pelvis. It almost appears that they are direct aneforum.xxxonists.

Happy to stand corrected.

x
Henry

 

[Suzie Homemaker]

Happy to stand corrected.

Actually, I don't think this is a "corrected" situation. I think we're both right here, and all opinions are always welcome!

 

[twilight fan team edward]

I agree with Henry.
So often the quads are described as tight, loose, weak, etc as if they were a single muscle. Rectus femoris crosses two joints and thus does not go through its full ROM during normal ADL. Same goes for the the hamstrings (minus - biceps femoris short head). This causes them both to be "tight".

For example, is triceps tight? Flexing the elbow joint fully lengthen the medial & lateral heads (one joint muscles). Tightness usually occurs in the long head, which crosses 2 joints.

Or the vastus group. All cross the same joint and perform the same function, but, One can have a tight facilitated vastus lateralis, and a weak, inhibited vastus medialis oblique (which is often the case).

As for sitting, the 3 vastus muscles are in neutral position - halfway between full flexion and full extension of the knee - not overstretched. The rectus is in neutral position at 2 joints (same as for the hamstrings) in sitting position.

 

[hidden]

It would be rare to have overstretched quads!! Weak quads yes, tight hams yes, weak hams yes, strengthen the hammys. Balance the muscles

 

[RockTheCasbah]

Or the vastus group. All cross the same joint and perform the same function, but, One can have a tight facilitated vastus lateralis, and a weak, inhibited vastus medialis oblique (which is often the case).

Does anyone know a strenghtening exercise that isolates the vastus medialis, preferably without using a theraband?

 

[Stinky F]

pulled hamstrings

I've found that most people with hamstring pain/pulled hamstring may have local issues there but usually suffer from an imbalance between the hams and quads, in terms of length, as well as issues into the pelvis. Prolonged sitting may seem to lengthen the quads, but shortness develops into the upper quads/hip flexors, especially with forward flexed sitting (computer work). The pelvis is drawn anteriorly, causing an overlengthening of the hamstrings. This often will create pain in the hamstring region. So, assure that you have ruled out quad and hip flexor tightness when treating hamstring issues. (Thomas Test for hip flexor length, prone knee flexion to rule out quad tightness.