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Running After a Hamstrain Injury
By admin | December 20, 2009
Since I have been nursing a hamstrain injury and have not been able to run, I thought I would find an article related to hamstrain injuries to share with everyone. I may be sharing an article later on about dealing with chest colds since I have aquired one of those recently too.
By Bob Cotto
Popular activities that people participate in to maintain physical fitness and improve cardiovascular functions are jogging and running. Such activities always have the potential for injuries which can put an athlete out of action for days, weeks and even months.
Hamstring injuries are common and debilitating injuries amongst joggers and runners. These injuries are actually a type of muscle strain and many people often ask how soon they can start jogging or running after picking up a “hamstrain” injury – should of course be “hamstring” injury.
Hamstrings are comprised of 3 different muscles situated in the back part of the thigh. This muscle group is so called because should they be cut a person would be unable to walk – in other words “hamstrung”.
The 3 hamstring muscles are the semitendonous, semimembranosus and biceps femoris and deliver the power required for walking and running strides (attached behind the knee and bony prominence part of the buttocks). Sprinters in particular often develop more powerful quadriceps and hamstrings for enormous speed out of the starting blocks (quadriceps muscles are found in the thigh’s frontal area).
Hamstring injuries occur when a runner suffers from severe stress, hasn’t warmed up properly or stretches too energetically resulting in pain when bending the knee and backward movement of the thigh.
“Hamstrains” (hamstring strains) are classed as first degree, second degree or third degree type injuries. Injury severity of the hamstring will determine when running can commence.
First degree injuries are a few minor tears in the muscle and heal well using ice and proper rest. Second degree injuries are moderate tears in the muscle and pain occurs over a larger muscle area compared to first degree injuries (muscle becomes weak and stiff and could turn blue and black). Third degree injuries results in the muscle balling up with wide-spread bruising (can be palpated or felt with a hand). Third degree injuries are not as common as the other two types of injuries.
Second degree and third degree injuries could occur easily if first degree injuries have not healed properly and a runner starts activities too soon which results in an athlete being out of action for longer than would normally be the case.
Hamstring injuries require rehabilitation programs – includes ice, rest, elevation, compression, mild stretching exercises and exercises to strengthen the muscle. Running after “hamstrain” injuries is only possible after complete healing has taken place.
Although athletes may become disappointed due to being forced to suspend track or road activities because of hamstring injuries, the eventual rewards of following a good program for rehabilitation are proper healing, strengthening and stretching of the muscles resulting in faster running with stronger legs.
Bob Cotto spent most of his life as a Sr. Sales & Marketing executive. Two years ago his wife of 43 years, Joanne was told that she had 4th stage cancer. Since then, Bob and Joanne have devoted all of their energy to assisting her in maintaining a high quality of life. Find out more about his efforts at his site 4-Ideal-Health and on his blog, BobCotto.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Cotto
http://EzineArticles.com/?Running-After-a-Hamstrain-Injury&id=1706375
Topics: Running Injuries |