Hamstring Tears & Strains
Physiotherapy Treatment in Bondi Junction Eastern Suburbs Sydney

What Exactly Are Hamstrings?

Before starting to talk about hamstring tears it’s important to understand that the term ‘Hamstrings‘ refers to the group of muscles and their associated tendons at the rear of the upper leg. They include the:

• biceps femoris
• semitendinosus
• emimembranosus

The hamstrings primary functions are to flex the knee joint and extend the thigh to the backside of the body. They are used in walking, running, and many other physical activities. They’re a common and vital component of your everyday physical health.

Why a Hamstring Tear or Injury Occurs

Have you ever torn your hamstring?

More than likely it was accelerating during a run or a game of sport. ⁣

Research shows that when we run the hamstring is most active just prior to foot strike acting to decelerate the leg at this time. ⁣

This is an eccentric movement which means the muscle lengthens as it is working hard and loading. ⁣

Exercises that mimic this lengthening and loading pattern are extremely important through the rehabilitation of a hamstring injury. ⁣

Some Things You May Not Know About Hamstring Injuries

⚽️ Hamstring tears are the single most common injury in elite football. ⁣

🏈 A professional male football team with 25 players, would suffer on average approx 5 hamstring tears each season⁣.

🤯 Shortened muscle fibre length and poor eccentric strength increase the risk of future hamstring injury⁣.

👨🏻‍⚕️Factors that drive structural adaptation include high contraction intensity (strength)⁣, eccentric overload (flexibility) and frequency of training⁣.

⏳Hamstring tears can have effects on neuromuscular function and inhibition for 18-months post-injury⁣

⏰ Eccentric loading in early stages of rehab may help to improve muscle fibre length, eccentric strength and reduce inhibition⁣ (Opar et al, 2017)⁣

How Strong Are Your Hammies? ⁣

Give this strength test a try and see how long you can hold it.⁣

Hold the position that is shown below.

The longer you can hold it, the stronger your hammies are likely to be.

If it is too easy, compare right leg to left leg and find your weakness .

It’s also a great exercise to strengthen your hammies.

Try doing it until fatigue.

Physio Exercises to Strengthen Your Hammies

There are some simple physio exercises you can try at home to strengthen your hammies.

Give them a go to see improvement.

Strengthening your hammies can prevent future injury.

If you have suffered a strain or are experienceing accute pain then you may require physio.

We recomend coming in to visit us in our Bondi Junction Eastern Suburbs Sydney clinic.

Physiotherapy Treatment Options for a Hammy Strain, Tear or to Prevent Future Injury

If you feel sore in your hammies or believe you have suffered a strain come in and visit us in our Bondi Junction Eastern Suburbs Sydney physiotherapy clinic.

Your treating physiotherapist will design a tailored program that will get you back to your daily activity or sport as soon as possible.

As well as providing physiotherapy treatment to help your recovery in the immediacy, we will guide you through some exercises you can do ongoing to improve your recovery and help prevent re-injury.

More Information About Hamstring Tears & Strains: Physiotherapy Treatment in Bondi Junction Eastern Suburbs Sydney

For more information about Hamstring Tears & Strains: Physiotherapy Treatment in Bondi Junction Eastern Suburbs Sydney, or any other physio related questions you might have please get in touch.