A hamstring muscle injury, or a pulled hamstring, is an injury to one or more of the muscles at the back of the thigh. The most common cause of a hamstring injury is the muscle being overstretched or strained, according to the American Academy of...
Your hamstring muscles are the three muscles that comprise the back of your thigh. Your hamstrings help to bend your lower leg at the knee and pull the leg backward, meaning you use the muscles for activities that involve running, dancing and...
A pulled hamstring can be a strain or tear in any of the three hamstring muscles — biceps femoris, semitendinosus or semimembranosus. In football, it can often occur during an explosive action such as sprinting or kicking, and you will feel...
The hamstrings are a group of muscles that run along the back of the upper leg. According to the Stretching Institute, hamstring injuries are classified as either first degree, second degree or third degree strains, with third degree injuries...
Tight hamstrings not only interfere with your ability to walk and run effectively, but they can lead to neck and back pain as well. The hamstrings, which are located on the back of your thigh, consist of three muscles that run from the bottom of...
If you feel a sudden sharp pain behind the knee, which is accompanied by swelling, tenderness and heat at the point of the injury, you may have suffered a strain to the tendons that attach your hamstring muscles to the back of your knee. This type...
A strained hamstring is a common sports-related injury to the large muscle in the back of the thigh. It occurs most often after quick, forceful movements of the leg, such as sprints and jumps. A strained hamstring can cause swelling, pain that is...
A pulled hamstring -- or hamstring strain -- is an injury to one of the muscles in the back of your thigh. According to Chicago Chiropractic and Sports Injury Centers, the hamstring muscles are used during the upstroke in cycling. Common causes of...
Performing stretching exercises to restore hip- and knee-joint ranges of motion is one of the first rehabilitative steps you should take after suffering a hamstring injury. This involves flexing your hips with your legs fully extended. Consult...
An injured hamstring is no laughing matter. It can be painful, immobilizing and may take weeks, months or even a year or more to heal. The best bet for treating a hamstring injury is to take it easy and follow your doctor's orders. He or she may...
When the muscles that support your knees are weak, extra stress gets put on the knee joints and can cause pain or injury. The hamstring muscles are one of the main groups that support the knees. They attach to the back and side of each knee....
The hamstrings are leg muscles located at the back of your thighs behind your quadriceps. Hamstring muscles are used to help bend your legs and keeping them flexible and strong will help you to avoid strains and pulls. You can exercise your...
Your hamstrings consist of three muscles located at the back of your thighs. Tight hamstrings are a common problem, especially among people who spend a lot of time sitting. Tight hamstrings can lead to poor posture, which can lead to back and neck...
Your hamstrings are a group of three muscles that help form the backs of your thighs. They also help you flex and rotate your knee joint and extend your hip joint. You can develop pain in your hamstring muscles or tendons while running or as the...
Whether the soreness in your legs is the result of rigorous activity, inactivity or a condition such as sciatica, regular stretching can help alleviate discomfort and associated stiffness. Perform leg stretches first thing in the morning and...
The hamstrings are susceptible to tears and strains, but you might not notice the pain of these injuries until you stretch. Most people have experienced a mild amount of pain while stretching and hamstring pain can usually be treated at home.
Sciatic nerve pain can cause your legs and feet to tingle. The pain can go from the lower back, down the hamstrings and into the feet. Stretching the hamstings is one of the main forms of exercise to lessen tingling and pain related to sciatica....
A hamstring injury is more likely to occur in people who engage in competitive sports that have sudden stops and starts, like soccer, basketball, football and tennis. You also have a higher risk if you have had a hamstring injury before and you...
The hamstrings consist of three muscles --- the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus --- that run vertically on the back of your thighs between your hips and knees. They produce knee flexion and hip extension ranges of motion. The...
Three muscles comprise "the hamstrings." These posterior leg muscles originate at the bottom of the pelvis from a bony process called the ischial tuberosity. There is one ischial tuberosity on each side of the pelvis, and they are often referred...
When your hamstring muscles or tendons get stretched or torn, you can end up in extreme pain. The Stretching Institute reports this kind of injury often occurs when your quadriceps are strong and put a lot of tension on your weaker hamstrings. An...
Although children tend to be more flexible than adults, especially men, stretching is still helpful for avoiding problems. Tight hamstrings, for example, may cause incorrect posture from a misaligned pelvis, pain in the lower back and injuries to...
Hamstring syndrome is characterized by pain that originates in the gluteal fold of the affected leg and radiates down the back of the thigh. The gluteal fold is the area where the thigh meets the buttock. The pain is usually worse on sitting, or...
Your legs take a beating each day while you complete daily tasks or activities you enjoy. As a result, you may experience aches and pains from time to time. Pain in your big toe and hamstrings are no exception when it comes to leg pain....
The back thigh, or hamstring, is made up of three large muscles. The back thigh performs essential functions that make it possible for you to run, walk, step and stand. Because these muscles are in constant use, even while sitting, they tend to...
When it comes to cardiovascular workouts, bicycling is extremely beneficial for heart health and building up lower body strength. However, cyclists must also remember that cycling is not a load-bearing activity that helps to build strong bones and...
The hamstring muscles in the back of your thighs play vital roles in lower-body strength and agility, helping you flex your knees and extend your hips. Hamstring pulls and strains are common injuries for runners and other athletes, while hamstring...
One of the most common injuries ballet dancers experience is hamstring injury. Causes include muscle imbalances, overuse and overstretching resulting in tearing of the muscle. Damage to the hamstrings can put the dancer out of commission for a...
Stretching should be one of the most important parts of your workout. Your muscles are like rubber bands; they are made to expand and contract with your body's movement. But over time, with increased activity or inactivity, your muscles can become...
Hamstrings are an important muscle and hamstring injuries are common. Get expert tips and advice on massage and other treatments in this video.