High pulled hamstring

[Ruthwuth]

I’ve been continuing to jog three times a week with this for about three months; it doesn’t really hurt when I’m running but I guess it’s not healing. Can anyone suggest a good strengthening programme to follow?

[nowster Graduate]

Have you seen anyone about it yet?

[Ruthwuth in reply to nowster]

No. Doctors not doing face to face. I was hoping it would heal. Pilates teacher says they can take a very long time.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This is a question for a medically qualified practitioner to respond to, as with any persistent issue.

My advice would be to rest until pain free........I assume it is painful, otherwise why would you identify it as a problem?

Once we enter our sixties we have to accept that our bodies do not repair as quickly as when we were younger. This FAQ post about Aging and Running expands on the theme healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Ruthwuth in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you and yes I read that quickly the other day, fantastic advice. I shall try the exercise plan you suggest. I started couch to 5 k last year at 63, still struggling a little but can manage a very slow 30 minute jog and have been getting out three times a week but this morning defeated me after 10 minutes. Legs felt like they were on another planet from my body and head on another one again!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Ruthwuth]

What precisely do you mean by "Legs felt like they were on another planet from my body" If you mean heavy, unresponsive legs, then that may well be a sign of inadequate hydration........as a runner you need to drink a minimum of 2.5 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide.

Don't ignore your hamstring "injury". If it is persisting it needs to be assessed by an expert.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

If you can’t get a doctor’s appt Ruthwuth, could you see a sports physio instead. Or maybe your local hospital does a self referral system to the physio dept? Ours does and I’m sure there must be others. If you’re in pain, you need to get it looked at .

[nowster Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Exactly! I have paid for physio sessions in the past and always felt I'd got my money's worth out of the session.

[CBDB Graduate]

Just in case this is of use, we do have a sister forum “Strength and Flexibility” with a whole archive of workouts, also ones to strengthen knees and various parts. But what helped me the most with my running is doing gentle Yoga each day, and we do YWA (Yoga with Adriene) on our virtual mat over at the S&F forum : healthunlocked.com/strength...

[Ruthwuth in reply to CBDB]

Thank you. I have decided to rest from jogging to see if it heals but I’ll check out the strength and flexibility too.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

When you say it's a 'high' hamstring injury, do you mean it hurts up under your bum cheek? If so, it might be sciatica, rather than a muscle injury. Three months is a long time, I agree with the others: try to get a professional opinion in person. I had a phone consultation with a doctor, who misdiagnosed my sciatica. I paid for a physio in the end. Money well spent.

Good luck

[Ruthwuth]

Yes exactly. Maybe I’ll try for a phone consultation. Such a palaver to do though. Thanks.