CBRC

I've had a bad right hamstring for about 10 (?) years and just run, lift, bike, etc through the pain when it's bothering me b/c that doesn't make it any worse. Driving long distances makes it worse, so does sitting for a long time. I get massages very rarely, when it gets really bad and that helps. It's been acting up for a couple weeks. Yesterday, its friend, left hamstring developed the same pain. It's like a big knot. I have a few stretches I learned from the massage therapist that I've been doing for the past few days when the right knot starting bothering me as it does periodically. Does anyone know anything good? Stretches or strengthening exercises? I've been stretching and applying direct pressure and heat. Any other ideas? Thanks.

I just re-read this and realized I left out a few details. When it's bad (as it is now, particularly the right one, the ongoing problem one), it hurts to drive any distance at all. Seriously. I hurt within a minute of even getting in my car. So to alleviate it, I fold up a beach towel in a wedge shape to lift the back of my butt up so I'm not sitting at such an angle in the bucket seat.

Tonight I did some great stretches so it's loosened up for now but I know as soon as I get in my car tomorrow it will start hurting again. Will apply pressure and heat to it before bed and stretch again in the morning but that's pretty much the normal routine for when it's bad like it is now.

Any ideas? Thanks. If not, I'll just be here online... talking to... um, myself... about, um... myself. Yah, that's it.

I think hill running strengthens hamstrings so you should do more hill running. I would do lots of stretching and roll it out on a foam roller, see if that helps. I have been lucky so far to only get sore hams after a hard or hilly run but it goes away a day or two later.

I don't like hills!

Where does one get a foam roller? I don't even know what it looks like. I guess you don't mean a pink hair roller with foam around the thingey. I know where to get those.

foamroller = something like this: http://www.activeforever.com/showproduc ... oam-roller


You could try rolling on a tennis ball -- just put your leg over a tennis ball, hamstring on top of it, let the leg settle to push weight onto it, and roll it around the muscle slowly -- the idea is to apply pressure to the muscle.

At least that's how I understand it. I was rolling the bottom of my foot on a tennis ball sometimes, but forgot about it -- I should go find my tennis ball and do it some.

I'll try that, thanks. I use the tennis ball for my feet all the time.

To save a few bucks an alternative is to get one of the "noodles" that kids use at pools. I found a thicker and more firm one and cut it into thirds. I keep one section right in the livingroom and I get on the floor with it and roll everything: Hams, quads, calves, shins, glutes, hips. Then I do some stretching, then more rolling. It really feels so good and I can catch a TV show too if I'm lucky. (When not in use though, I often have to tell the kids to leave it alone it is NOT a weapon )

Amy,

It could be your sciatic nerve. It gets pinched (deep in the buttocks) and the pain will radiate down your leg - and could easily be mistaken for a hamstring issue.

I have the same problem driving (and have for some time) - to date, other than gritting my teeth, I have found no way to relieve the discomfort.

Braam

Thanks for the info, ideas, and advice. I'm going to try the foam roller / noodle once I get one. Shockingly, the noodle is put away with the summer stuff. Sue, you cut it into thirds and you mentioned where you keep one. So seems to me the other two pieces are for your the kids. Two kids, two weapons. Makes sense to me.

Sciatic nerve. Hmmm. I hadn't thought of that, since the pain is down in my hamstring. All I know is that it hurts in a very small area, but hurts bad. I'll keep gritting my teeth as you are. Or stop going to work so I don't have to drive so much. Yah, right, if only it was that easy. Or get a car with a "flatter" seat... expensive solution.

Maybe ride a recumbent bike to work.... But, the bridge crossing would be murder.

More like suicide than murder.

So I won't be trying that, of course. On any bike.

Blackberry/Braam,
You've probably tried just about everything you can think of by now, but give the beach towel folded up thing a try when driving if you have bucket seats. You might be too tall, but believe me, it really does help when driving.

Did 1.5 hours of yoga last night and it was great! I wanted to hold some of those poses forever, they were stretching my hamstrings so well! Also tried the noodle, but mine isn't firm enough. Am borrowing a stick today so will give it a try. I'm not giving up! And yes, I am getting *better* about stretching during and after really long runs. Not great, but better. It's a start.

The stick is great! Of course I'm sore pretty much all over from today's run, so it's doing more than just relieving my bad hamstring. Love it! I just might do a little shopping this weekend for my own stick. The economy needs my support, y'know.

I bought my stick at roadrunners, I don't know if they have the best price, but are convenient. Another great peice of gear is a calf stretcher, (www.footsmart.com) I think the whole flexor portion of the leg, (hamstrings, gastroc/soleus and even plantar fascia) are tied together. So besides getting the hamstrings loose, I also use this calf stretcher which helps with both calves and plantar fascia. Some people get a good calf stretch from a curb, but this calf stretcher works a lot better for me. Mike D