"There is nothing that involves only going without returning.

It is the nature of Heaven and Earth

When there is going, there also must be returning."

"To maintain the center of the circle is to respond inexhaustibly."

Hamstring injury

The term hamstring refers to a group of muscles at the back of the thigh. The hamstrings allow you to bend (flex) your knee and extend your hip. A hamstring strain, or pull, is a stretching or tearing of the hamstring muscles. This type of injury can occur when the muscles contract too forcefully or stretch too far, such as in running, water-skiing or cheerleading.

A mild strain may cause a tightening of the hamstring muscle, which you can feel. More severe injuries may result in a sharp pain in the back of the thigh. A doctor may diagnose a hamstring pull based on:

bulletPhysical examination. The affected muscle is usually tight and painful with use. The area may also be tender and swollen.
bulletX-rays to rule out other injuries.
bulletMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the extent of the muscle damage and to check for detachment (avulsion) of the muscle from the pelvic bone.

Treatment may include:

bulletIcing of the affected area
bulletCompression of the area with an elastic bandage
bulletCrutches, if walking is painful
bulletGentle stretching of the thigh and hip
bulletPhysical therapy, including progressive strengthening as appropriate
bulletSurgery, if the muscle is completely detached

The best way to prevent a hamstring injury is to keep the muscles strong and flexible with appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises.

 

By Mayo Clinic staff