Hamstring taking the mick

Jan 06, 2012

• Robert asked The Guru for the following Physiotherapy Advice:

  Hi, i am a runner who trains around 4 times a week and averages about 30 miles a week. I train for middle distance on the track and cross-country in winter. Around three month ago during regular training, i began to feel tightness in my hamstrings. At first i did not consider it a problem and continued training, but the pain began to get worse. Eventually i limited myself to light jogging and then had to stop running altogether. For the last 6 weeks i have done no running at all, yet my hamstring pain seems to not have faded. i have tried stretching almost every day and using a foam rollar, do you have any other suggestions on how i could get over these problems?

• The Six Physio Guru responded:

  Hi Rob
  
  Unless you've done something traumatic to your hammy, and you've given it adequate time to heal and returned to full function and yet it's still giving you problems......then you probably don't have a hamstring issue.
  
  Your sciatic nerve which runs from your back down the back of your leg to your foot, can and does mimic hamstring (and calf) pain perfectly. You don't need to have any back pain or restriction in your back to have "sciatica".
  
  When the nerve becomes irritated, your hamstring tries to protect the nerve by creating a rigid tent around the nerve.
  
  The muscle does this by tightening up around the nerve. The more you stretch this tight hamstring then the more you irritate the sciatic nerve.....the vicious circle is created.
  
  Stop stretching all together.
  
  You'll need somebody to have a look at your back and confirm this diagnosis by doing a few things, like looking at your slump test.
  
  As rule of thumb in runners - you're more likely to have a mobile low lumbar spine which has caused the irritation BUT this is due to a stiff thoracic spine. This bit'll need treating. The low lumbar spine will need stabilising using rehab.
  
  Hope this helps.