Ask a PT

156 Posts
 
Posted - 09/11/2007 :  15:06:57  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Our user asked: "Hi, I am a female runner and have some pain in my right hamstring. After a massage it feels fine so I continue to run 25-30 miles a week. However now, my hamstring feels heated (tender and inflamed). I probably strained it. It is not red or swollen. I am icing my hamstring. I am tempted to bike or use the elliptical trainer. Please advise on how to recover and i'm assuming I should not exercise at all. Thanks"

Ask a PT Response: "It sounds like you may have strained your hamstring. With a strained hamstring it is not common to see redness but is common to have some tenderness. Bruising and swelling can be experienced in the worse case scenarios. Ice, massage, and rest are some of the appropriate actions to be taken. An elliptical or stationary bike may be ok to utilize as well if it does not result in increase pain. To return to running you will want to build back up your 25-30 miles a week when you are doing better. For more information on a hamstring strain please refer to the link provided as a previous user had asked a similiar question: http://www.cyberpt.com/ptforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=236 Thanks for using CyberPT."