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Hamstring Injury Rehab: Forget ultrasound and stretching, improve your core, balance and strength deficits to avoid recurrence!!

Joseph Boland  MISCP, BSc (Physio)

Hamstring strains are the most prevalent muscle injuries reported in sport. Studies have revealed that hamstring injuries alone account for between 6% and 29% of all injuries reported in Australian Rules football, rugby union, football, basketball, cricket and track sprinters. A similar pattern has emerged in GAA sports in recent years.

Serious concerns arise by the fact that hamstring injury and re-injury rates have not improved over the last three decades. Frustration with hamstring strains is not only explained by the high prevalence of these injuries, but also by the prolonged duration of symptoms, poor healing responses (8-25 days out of play) and a high risk of re-injury rate of 12–31%. One of the most important aspects with the treatment hamstring injuries is correct diagnosis by a qualified and experienced clinician. The exact location and extent of damage is the best predictor of recovery time. Location and severity of the injury is also very important to take into consideration when undergoing rehab and returning to sport. The biggest risk factors for hamstring injuries are old hamstring injuries. Treatment methods in the past, and still used today, that only focus on the hamstring itself with localised soft tissue massage, ultrasound, stretching and gentle strengthening of the hamstring (e.g. with elastic resistant bands) are proving not to be effective.

New research has shown that the best way to rehab a hamstring is to undergo a progressive personalised strength and conditioning programme that focuses on improving your trunk control & core stability as well as addressing strength imbalances and deficits that you may have between the left and right side of your body. Important to note that this is also the most effective way to prehab injuries of this type i.e. appropriately structured, progressive Strength & Conditioning prescribed and instructed by formally educated, fully qualified and experienced expert practitioners will help you avoid the problem in the first place.

Have you or your team mates been suffering from repeated hamstring injuries?  Do you want correct guidance and advice on how to avoid this in the future? Contact the Sports Med Ireland team and we will be more than happy to help!

Joseph Boland  MISCP, BSc (Physio)

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The Sports Med Team