Hamstring niggle - stretching?

Lumen

I've picked up a niggle in my left hamstring, about 4 inches above the back of my knee on the inside.

I'll take some ibroprofen, and will try icing in the evening, but should I avoid stretching or (gently) do more of it?

I'm not planning to cycle this week, as I'm away on business and tapering for the ROK .

Yes, I realise I should see a physio but I don't have the time.

Raam

You should probably write a will. Sounds like the start of "death by niggle".

How did you pick it up?

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

How did you pick it up?

I felt it coming on during some "intervals" last week, and I don't think yesterdays casual potter around Dundalk helped much.

Raam

Personally I'd just rest it and not do anything. Not professional advice, yadda yadda

scottreynolds

I do some self massage and gentle stretching. The niggle is most likely just a knot in the muscle. If possible I'd try to get a massage as well --- actually thats exactly what I would do.

lukester

Based on my other half's advice, (she teaches yoga) I'd do some regular gentle stretching. Helps blood flow to the area, etc.

Lumen

OK, I think I need to get my wife a Sports Massage course for Christmas.

The new iron will have to wait.

Hungrycol

I heard that unless you get ice on the muscle injury within 10 minutes the effects thereafter is very little.

Rest and gentle stretching in my professional opinion*

*my opinion is not a professional medical opinion

scottreynolds

if your wearing loose shorts while cyucling it ould be a case of 'Willy Slap'

scottreynolds

Hungrycol wrote: »

I heard that unless you get ice on the muscle injury within 10 minutes the effects thereafter is very little.

Rest and gentle stretching in my professional opinion*

*my opinion is not a professional medical opinion

thats brilliant................. IMPO (in my professional opinion)

lukester

scottreynolds wrote: »

if your wearing loose shorts while cyucling it ould be a case of 'Willy Slap'

Is that a post-sportive drinking game?

I'm scared.

DirkVoodoo

Willy slap? Do you guys not do what I do and just sling it over your shoulder??

heffsarmy

This is a good website with some basic advice,

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/hamstrings/hamstringstrain.htm

TinyExplosions

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Willy slap? Do you guys not do what I do and just sling it over your shoulder??

Why do you sling Lumens Willy over your shoulder?

It sounds more like an old Riding mate of Scotts from back in NZ... "Me and Willy Slap went out for an epic ride today"... that sort of thing

Lumen

FrankGrimes

Lumen - I'd suggest you stretch it out by doing the usual hamstring stretches (lie on floor, towel or stretched around ball of one foot, raise that leg as high as possible, hold for 20, deep breath, exhale and drop by 6 inches while exhaling and then bring it straight back up - it'll come up further this time, hold for 20 and repeat by 3).

On top of that some basic self massage might help: stand up and stretch the leg onto a stool to get a feel for the limit, bend the knee, clasp both hands firmly under the leg just above the back of the knee. Straighten the leg onto the stool - the knot should effectively rub up against the clasped hands and that will gently work out scar tissue or tight areas. I do this and move the hands further up the back of the leg each time.

Sitting down and rolling the hamstring around on a tennis ball or rolling pin can help too (I've got a self-massage ball that does a great job).

fenris

heffsarmy wrote: »

This is a good website with some basic advice,

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/hamstrings/hamstringstrain.htm

I looked at that link and just saw "ringstrain"

http://laurensfitness.com/2008/02/27/tennis-ball-part-2-lower-body/

try a tennis ball - sore but works well for easing out sore spots

scottreynolds

I regularly use a roller to massage in my legs both for cycling and running... here's some of the common hammo ones http://tptherapy.com/upperhamstring.php?id=103

I actually use one of their kits but the foam roller yoke they have looks awesome. I'd recommend a foam roller for regular self massage

macadam

Had some trouble with the hamstring recently,visited a physio, but it got worse .
Went to another and he diagnosed a nerve trapped in my lower back from the posture of cycling, after a few streches he has me back on the bike.

The pain was similiar to a torn hamstring, only worse when I sat down.

Doctors differ and patients die, so choose wisely.

Maca