A hamstring injury is a condition when three muscles at the back of the thigh are sprained or pulled. Most hamstring injuries will heal on their own. However, to help relieve the symptoms, there are several ways that can be done easily.
Hamstring injuries often occur in sports that require players to run and stop suddenly continuously. Examples are football, basketball, tennis, badminton, dancing, and running.
The Process of Hamstring Injury
In daily activities, such as standing and walking, the hamstring muscles are not used very much. However, when we bend our knees, run, jump, and climb, the hamstring muscles become very active and are used a lot.
Hamstring injuries usually occur due to sudden movements or movements that exceed the limit when a person performs these physical activities.
However, in some cases, injury to this muscle can also occur gradually or when a person performs slow movements that are too fast, such as stretching too much.
Hamstring injuries can be experienced by anyone, but are generally more common in athletes or sportsmen. Based on the severity, hamstring injuries are divided into three categories, namely:
- Category I: the hamstring muscles are stretched or pulled lightly. Injuries in this category require several days of recovery.
- Category II: partially torn hamstring muscle. Injuries in this category require several weeks to several months of recovery.
- Category III: tear occurs in all muscles. Injuries of this category also require several weeks to several months of recovery.
Hamstring Injury Symptoms and How to Treat It
When you have a hamstring injury, you may feel pain in the back of your thigh and under your buttocks. In the case of a mild hamstring injury, the pain is generally less severe and you may still be able to move around.
However, if the hamstring injury is severe enough, the pain can be so painful that it makes it difficult for the sufferer to stand, walk, or simply straighten the leg. Injured thigh muscles may also appear swollen and bruised.
Mild to moderate hamstring injuries generally heal on their own within a few days. However, to reduce the pain that appears, you can apply the following ways:
- Apply ice to the injured area to reduce pain and swelling. Do it every 3-4 hours for 20-30 minutes until the pain subsides.
- Apply pressure by applying an elastic bandage to the injured area.
- Place your feet on a pillow when sitting or lying down, so that they are higher than your body.
- Take pain relievers, such as paracetamol, according to the instructions for using the drug or doctor's advice.
- Do not force yourself to do activities, especially strenuous physical activity.
- Once the pain and swelling have subsided, do stretching and strengthening exercises as recommended by your doctor.
Some of the steps above can generally help speed up recovery from a mild or moderate hamstring injury.
However, if you have a severe hamstring injury, especially if it has made it difficult for you to walk or move your thigh muscles, you should consult a doctor so that your injury can be treated appropriately.
To treat a hamstring injury that is classified as severe, your doctor may recommend you to use a walker for some time, undergo physiotherapy, give drugs, to perform surgical procedures, if there is a tear in the hamstring muscle.
Remember, to reduce the risk of hamstring injury, it's best to warm up or stretch sufficiently before exercising. In addition, you are also advised to stop exercising if you feel pain in the back of the thigh.
