A torn hamstring, or pulled hamstring, can put you out for weeks or even months. Treating it properly will help you recover in the fastest amount of time. Within the first few days of injury, the affected area should only be iced. After the first few days, you can begin to alternate between icing and heating your hamstring.
Pulled Muscles
Pulled muscles occur when a muscle tears or ruptures. There are three degrees of torn muscles, ranging from only 5 percent of the muscle being affected to the entire muscle affected and unable to contract. Lack of flexibility, a fatigued muscle, and an insufficient warmup are all situations that can lead to a torn muscle.
Initial Treatment
As soon as you notice the torn hamstring, you should stop exercising and begin treatment. Continuing to exercise can increase bleeding, if internal bleeding is occurring, and further damage the area. The area should be iced immediately for 20 minutes, to discourage blood flow. If you heat the area right away, blood flow increases to the hamstring, which can further damage your muscle, according to sportsdoctor.com. After it has been iced, wrap the hamstring to compress it, and elevate your leg. Follow this procedure for the next 72 hours. Your body will begin to heal the area almost immediately, but depending on the severity of the pull, putting weight or pressure on the muscle can make the injury worse. If necessary, use crutches or a splint to relieve stress on the hamstring.
Extended Treatment
After the first three days, you should begin to alternate ice and heat treatments for 15 minutes, three to four times per day. Heat can help soothe the muscle, increase circulation, and improve range of motion. As your muscle heals, scar tissue will form, which is generally not as flexible or strong as muscle.
Physical Therapy
Depending on how deeply your hamstring has been damaged, heat and ice may not be enough to properly heal it. Your muscle will likely be weaker than it was pre-injury, and physical therapy may be necessary. Therapy will help strengthen your hamstring, make re-injury less likely, and will guide your body back into balance before you return to your regular activities.
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