hockey problems

Gurinder Saini asked The Guru for the following Physiotherapy Advice:

Hey,

I play field hockey so as you can imagine my hamstrings and quads are always under pressure! My left hamstring and glute is really tight at the moment, any tips on how to loosen it up? It’s so frustrating not being able to train/play a game!

Thank

Hi Gurinder

What’s really common in hockey players (due to the direction you sweep and hit the ball) is a lack of rotation in the mid bit of your back.

This lack of rotation puts excessive load elsewhere in your kinetic chain. For you it’s glut and hammy. This pain can be simply an overloaded muscle or it can be an irritated nerve in your back, again from the lack of thoracic rotation.

I’m not stretching will solve much, but getting to move more in your thoracic spine will. Maybe worth seeing a Physio…..