gwk100 wrote:
Bringing back an 11 year old thread. I have searched the internet for information on this nagging injury and this thread has more information on it than anywhere else I have found. Thanks Slowtwitch My story: Been suffering with this for the last 7-8 months and over the last couple of months, I have been to 3 different Doctors. 2 x-rays later and a MRI, I have been told I have a Chronic Hamstring Strain. My Specialist said he could do nothing for me. No surgery, shot or pill will cure me he says. He said he could take months for this to heal and only thing he recommended was to go to a higher end Physical Therapy Clinic where they could possibly get in there and do a deep tissue torture on me. I called around and HIGHER END was correct. Thought I had decent insurance but apparently my policy does not cover any Physical Therapy or Chiropractic sessions.
My 2nd Specialist said I could continue to run as much as I could stand, couldn't hurt it any worse. My Chiropractor said basically just the opposite, that I could continue to run, but be on the conservative side.
I have invested in all the usual tools to help deal with this injury. Special seat with hole for driving and my office chair. Massage gun, Beastie knobby ball, Voodoo Floss, etc, plus all the Eccentric Exercises I have discovered.
So, the question is for all you guys and gals who has gone through this before, did anyone finally beat this thing and able to go back to their lives pain free? If so, what was your cure for your particular hamstring injury?
Mainly, is there Hope?
Thanks, GWK
I went through all the same stuff as you, and in the end what helped was:
1. Stop running for a little while, no too long, to let pain ease
2. Really start religiously working on glute med and calf strength - not eccentric, but actual glute strengthening exercies (clamshells, light deadlifts, etc).
3. Lowered my bike saddle a little bit.
4. Started with some super easy runs on treadmill and shortened my stride as well so as to not stretch the hamstring on the forward leg.
5. When pain free - started doing super super light hamstring curls.
Took a long time, but I do feel that strengthening stuff is what beat it for me.
Oh - I should add, none of the magic therapies did anything for me, nada (shockwave, traction, dry needling, carbon patches, taping, etc).