Ongoing hamstring tightness / strain

[5210Runner]

I apologise in advance for posting about my hamstring problems for the 4th time! I first had a slight issue 40 days ago, when stretching after a run, I felt tightness at the back of my right thigh. I tried running a couple of times in the 2 weeks after this but had to stop both times due to my thigh not feeling right.

Following advice on here I stopped running, but continued with gentle stretches and walking. If I walked quickly or for a long distance, or bent down, I could often feel tightness and discomfort in my right hamstring.

I noticed last week that it was feeling better so I tried running on the spot and around my garden, and I didn't have any problems. So I went for a short run, managing about 3K. I did have to stop at that point as I could feel my right hamstring. I had no reaction that day but the following day it was a bit sore. But that went away, and after advice I also purchased a foam roller which has helped.

Yesterday I tried another run, managing 4K without any problems. However in the evening my right hamstring was quite sore, probably the most painful it has been (the main problem has been tightness). Today it's not so painful but tight again and my knee, quad and hip feel weird too!

How is it that I ran without any problems and yet afterwards my problems have returned? I'm sure with stretches and massage it will ease up during this week as that's what happened last week.

And does this sound like I've had a strained hamstring or is this just an issue with tightness?

Sorry for the long post It's just this is driving me crazy!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Sorry to hear your ongoing problems. I would recommend you now seek professional advice from a sports physio. Good luck, hope you get the help you need

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Sorry you are suffering from this pesky issue. 🙁 Until you find out the cause of the tightness/pain, you will have no way of knowing how to treat it and recover from it unfortunately! This is where a sports physio comes in. You need looking over by a professional, I would say. A correct diagnosis and a solid treatment/exercise plan is the only way! Good luck. 😘🤞

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

My advice is to see a sports physiotherapist- they will tell you immediately what is wrong and the best way of sorting it, and get you back running. The money is well invested.

Good luck -it’s not fun on the IC I know.

[Hated2Run Graduate10]

You need to ask a doc or physio - this group can help with mental approach but long term medical issues are for medics.

That said, doing my early 3-5k runs I had a lot of calve problems and so bought some compression socks for running and/or post running (supposed to increase circulation and hence reduce likelihood of injury/aid recovery) - never had any problems afterwards at all (though I have a suspicion that I was actually stretching too much and pulling something so eased back a bit on that) - so you could consider that as a stop gap whilst waiting for an appointment.