Hamstring injuries can be quite painful. This injury occurs when the hamstrings are either overloaded with a bit too much weight or they’re overstretched. The hamstring can tear a little or it can completely tear, depending on the injury that was sustained.
Treating a Hamstring Injury
There are a few ways for you to treat a hamstring injury. Of course, if it’s sufficiently bad, you should see a doctor.
Let’s take a look at some treatment methods you could use:
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
Rest – You will need to give your hamstring time to heal. This may mean you’ll have to stop all physical activity. If you need to move around, use a knee splint or crutches so you don’t move your leg much, if at all.
Ice – Ice can help to reduce swelling. Wrap an ice pack in a cloth or towel and keep it there for 20 minutes. Do this at least twice a day so you get some pain relief. Never apply the ice pack directly to your skin as you could burn it. If you do not have an ice pack you could always use some frozen peas. Again, please wrap the peas in a cloth or towel when you’re using them.
Compression – Use a compression bandage to help reduce and relieve the swelling. A bandage such as this can also help to limit your movement which is always a good thing. Please make sure that the bandage is not too tight. It should not cut off or limit your circulation.
Elevation – Keep your leg up, ideally, it should be higher than your heart. This will help to reduce swelling, and it can give your leg the chance it needs to rest. Use cushions and pillows to keep your leg up high.
Have Some Physical Therapy
As soon as the pain has lessened you should consider having physical therapy as well as PRP therapy. These forms of therapy can help you to prevent future injuries while also encouraging your body to heal.
If you see a physical therapist they might give you some gentle exercises to do. They can help you to heal even faster. In addition to this, the exercises might help to prevent you from hurting your hamstring in the future.
Take Painkillers
Any painkillers that work to reduce inflammation can make a real difference. Just make sure you take them as instructed. If your pain is very bad, please speak to your doctor. They might be able to prescribe you some medication that’s a little stronger than over-the-counter medication.
Hamstring injuries can take a while to heal. You need to make sure that you look after your injury, even when it begins to feel better. You might be tempted to walk correctly or forego some treatment, but doing so could make your injury worse. Please always speak to your doctor if you’re concerned about your hamstring or there are no signs of improvement after a few days.
