Hamstring injury recovery can be both challenging and lengthy, but there are ways that a chiropractor can help. The average pulled hamstring recovery time varies based on the severity of the injury. It can take three to eight weeks for more minor injuries, while more serious strains can take months. Whether you're an athlete or a busy parent on the go, this can significantly disrupt your daily life.
Hamstring strain treatment is available at ChiroCare of Florida, and there are countless benefits of seeing a chiropractor help address the issue. We have sports chiropractors on staff specializing in soft tissue injuries such as hamstring pain. If you're living with pain resulting from an injury, don't wait. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and develop a personalized treatment plan for hamstring injury recovery.
What Is a Hamstring Strain?
A hamstring strain occurs when the group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh, from your hip to your knee, experiences an overload of stress. While it's common among athletes, the injury can happen to anyone. Any activity that causes sudden and severe pressure on the group of muscles can cause a strain.
After the initial injury, you'll likely experience various lasting symptoms. These include sharp and sudden pain, tingling or a sense of pins and needles in the area, worsened pain with movement, loss of mobility and range of motion, stiffness, and more. When a strain occurs, these symptoms will linger and can even worsen without treatment instead of improving on their own. These symptoms will affect the back of your thigh and typically remain localized to the injury site.
The area may swell and will feel tender to the touch. It may radiate heat, and you may notice bruising or discoloration along the back of your thigh. The pain will worsen when you put weight on that leg and with specific movement.
Hamstring strains are different than tears, which occur when the soft tissue rips apart and separates. While some hamstring injury recovery can happen at home, others require more specialized attention from a medical professional.
If you suffer a hamstring injury, it's essential to seek an evaluation as soon as possible. Without proper treatment, the damage and pain may worsen and lead to chronic issues. Worst case scenario, it can result in surgery.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is under-estimating pulled hamstring recovery time. If you return to your athletic routine too soon, you risk injuring yourself further. We know that every athlete wants to get back to practice as soon as possible, and every person wants to return to pain-free daily life as quickly as they can. A chiropractor can help decrease hamstring injury recovery time, helping you get back to feeling 100%.
How a Chiropractor Can Help with Hamstring Injury Recovery Time
Hamstring injuries have various symptoms. You'll likely notice a decreased range of motion, loss of strength in the area, and an inability to use your muscles as before. This is because the soft tissue of your hamstring is damaged. A chiropractor can help address these issues, enabling you to feel better sooner.
A chiropractor will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the area and any adverse effects of the injury. Your recovery time and treatment plan will be individualized based on your unique needs and activity level.
Chiropractic Hamstring Strain Treatment
Chiropractic hamstring strain treatment may include methods such as physical therapy, where a provider works on proper stretching and strengthening the muscle group. You will learn exercises to perform at home throughout the recovery process and receive in-office care that can make a huge difference.
Treatment options include several instrument-assisted techniques, such as Electric Stimulation (E-STIM), cryotherapy, or ultrasound therapy. All of these methods work deep below the skin's surface, inside the damaged muscles. Your hamstring strain recovery time can shorten significantly when you seek this type of care, as the chiropractic procedures go well beyond basic home care.
Additionally, your chiropractor will guide you on best practices to address the pain at home. While well-meaning people on the internet, or loved ones who simply want to help, may have advice, it's always better to speak directly with a professional. Your chiropractor may advise you to apply ice or heat, keep the leg elevated when possible, and will let you know the best over-the-counter medications to treat your hamstring pain effectively.
What Does the Recovery Process Look Like?
Hamstring injury recovery doesn't happen overnight. It's a process, but a chiropractor can help speed it along. When seeking treatment for a sports injury, you can expect to visit your provider for a number of sessions. Your chiropractor will evaluate your specific injury to develop a treatment plan at your initial visit.
Your chiropractor may order medical imaging to understand better what the injury looks like and how severe it is. They will also likely move your leg in various positions to correctly identify the precise point of damage. A chiropractor may perform brief stretching exercises to evaluate your range of motion and the severity of pain. Then, they will recommend which treatment methods are best for you.
It's important to know that your treatment plan may change as your recovery progresses. Sometimes, people begin to recover more quickly than expected with the proper treatment. Other times, as you continue your office visits, your chiropractor may adjust your plan to get better results.
In addition to the in-office treatments and physical rehabilitation, you will learn what to do at home in-between visits. Sticking with these at-home therapies can help move the recovery process along.
Schedule an Appointment Today
There's no question that living in pain decreases your quality of life. You may have to sit out during the big game or miss activities with friends and family due to pain. If you're experiencing hamstring pain, schedule an appointment at a ChiroCare of Florida location today.
We have sports chiropractors that can help. Get back to your very best as quickly as possible with the best chiropractic treatment. Call (877) 388-2165 today to schedule an appointment.
