Hamstring Injuries: An Osteopathic Guide to Recovery
Hamstring injuries are common in high-power sports like AFL, tennis, and dancing. The hamstrings (Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, Biceps Femoris) at the back of your thigh are crucial for leg extension and knee bending—vital for running, jumping, and walking.
How Hamstring Injuries Occur Most common are "hamstring strains," involving microtears in the muscle belly, often due to rapid contraction or extensive stretching. The biceps femoris is most frequently affected. Severe cases can involve partial/full ruptures or avulsion injuries (tendon separating from bone).
Immediate Management: PEACE & LOVE Recent guidelines for soft tissue injuries emphasize:
Protection, Elevation, Avoid anti-inflammatories, Compression, Education (immediately)
Load, Optimism, Vascularisation, Exercise (subsequently)
Osteopathic Assessment & Diagnosis An osteopath will determine the exact source and severity (grade) of the hamstring injury, differentiating it from other pains like groin strains or low back referral. This involves:
Detailed case history (injury mechanism, past injuries, risk factors)
Observation (bruising, swelling, deformity)
Gait and functional assessment (walking, squatting, jumping)
Range of motion and strength testing of hip and knee
Orthopedic testing
Palpation of the thigh
Referral for imaging if severe (e.g., complete rupture, which may require surgery and longer healing times, from 21 days to several months).
Osteopathic Treatment for Hamstring Injuries Early treatment focuses on reducing swelling, pain, and improving mobility and strength to restore function faster. Techniques include:
Soft-tissue massage: For lower limb, glutes, and lower back to improve blood flow and reduce tension.
Joint mobilization: Primarily hip and knee, plus ankle and lumbar spine if gait is affected.
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) & Manipulation (HVLA): To improve strength and mobility.
Dry Needling: May ease muscular tension.
Exercise prescription: Crucial alongside manual therapy for long-term recovery.
Return To Play Protocols Rehabilitation programs are essential for increasing strength, endurance, and power, while reducing re-injury risk. Progression typically includes:
Isometric exercises: Contracting hamstring without movement.
Eccentric/Concentric exercises: Focusing on glute, hip, hamstring, and quadriceps strengthening.
Return to running & light training: Gradual progression from jogging to accelerations, change-of-direction drills, and sprinting (pain-free at each stage).
Return to sport-specific training: When subjective pain is low (0-3/10) and no movement hesitations.
Full Return to Play: When range of motion, strength (within 5-10% of the uninjured leg), and functional abilities are restored without stiffness or pain.
Examples of early exercises include stationary cycling, swimming, walking, and glute/hamstring bridges.
Don't let a hamstring injury keep you sidelined. At Woodend Osteo, we can guide you through a comprehensive assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation plan to get you back to your best. Contact us today!