Should we stretch our hamstrings?

The hamstrings are often a place associated with reduced flexibility and stiffness, and are often made a scapegoat for lower back and pelvis pain. However at Optimum Derby our assessment goes further than just tight hamstrings, we assess the joints the hamstrings attach to and from - the knee and the pelvis. 

Hamstring Anatomy

Quick recap, we have three hamstrings, two on the inside of the leg and one on the outside of the leg. To keep things simple they all attach from the pelvis to the top of the lower leg. The two muscles to the inside of the leg bend the knee and the longer muscle to the outside of the leg bends the knee and extends the hip. 

 

Common causes of hamstring “tightness” or “pain”

The perception of “tight” hamstrings could be a multitude of different things, without a proper examination and assessment with one of our physiotherapists or sports therapists at Optimum Derby the referred pain could be coming from:

1. Masking piriformis syndrome. A problem which could be made worse by stretching the hamstrings. Piriformis syndrome often refers pain down the back of the leg and into the hamstrings, however stretching the hamstrings can stretch the sciatic nerve and therefore cause more irritation.  

2. A lower back disc issue. This can give the appearance of hamstring pain and discomfort, however the cause of the lower back pain may mean stretching them makes it worse.

3. Finally an anterior pelvic tilt may elicit hamstring pain but it may not be fixed through stretching of the hamstrings and may actually be exacerbated and worsened. See our previous post about anterior pelvic tilt here.

Here is a video we have done to show how to start hamstring strengthening.

Should you have pain in hamstrings and not sure what to do, we are available for sessions with our sports therapists and physiotherapists who may then refer to our sports massage therapist Ben.