Treating the Hamstring Muscles

Hamstring Intro

Although it has become common to refer to the long muscles at the back of the thigh as the hamstring muscles or the hamstrings, they are in fact the the tendons that attach the large muscles at the back of the thigh to bone.

The hamstring muscles themselves are the large muscles that pull on those tendons.

Anatomists refer to these as the posterior thigh muscles, and more specifically as the semimembranosus, the semitendinosus, and the biceps femoris muscles.

These muscles span the thigh, crossing both the hip and the knee. They begin at just below the buttocks and connect by means of their tendons onto the upper parts of the lower leg bones, the tibia and the fibula.

Although the tendons themselves can sometimes be involved in injuries, in this blog we refer to the hamstrings as the large muscle group at the back of the thigh as this is where our clients most frequently encounter tightness, trigger point activity and injury. 

Hamstring Anatomy

Among the major muscles of the human body, the hamstrings play a crucial role in jumping, sprinting, and explosive actions. However, these muscles can be susceptible to injuries, especially if they are weak or fatigued. Therefore, prevention is the best way to avoid such injuries. getting to know the basic  anatomy of these muscles is a good place to start.

The hamstring muscle complex includes three muscles. These are the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus. Each of these muscles serves a different function. For example, the biceps femoris extends the thigh at the hip and inserts on the lateral side of the fibula.

The semimembranosus muscle is a broad and fusiform (shaped like a spindle) muscle located between the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus. This muscle also offers medial rotation of the hip and lower leg. It is innervated by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve.

The hamstring tendons connect the thigh to the pelvis, allowing the muscles to perform knee flexion and extension. The hamstring muscles can be stretched or torn during activities that involve excessive stress.

If you injure the hamstrings, you may be unable to walk normally. In addition, you may have pain, bruising or swelling in the area behind the thigh. You should always seek suitable professional or medical advice as soon as possible to ascertain the type and extent of the injury.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain may often be prescribed and you can also apply ice to the injured area. You should typically do this for 20 minutes every two to three hours post injury. If you are unable to apply ice, an alternative could be to apply an elasticated tubular bandage. Again, make sure to seek suitable professional or medical advice.

Who is prone to hamstring injuries?

The job of the hamstring muscles is to actively bend the knee and also to help straighten the hip - as in the motion of moving the thigh backward.

The hamstring muscles are not employed to any great degree with normal walking or standing. However, they are extremely important in power activities such as climbing, running and jumping.

Because of this, most people can get by with even reasonably weak hamstrings, whereas athletes and those who are very physically active will depend totally on healthy, and well-conditioned hamstrings.

Any activity that is associated with sudden acceleration when starting or during running can lead to a hamstring injury.

Common athletic activities where hamstring injuries occur include track and field events, football, baseball, soccer, and tennis.

Hamstrings and Trigger Points

The hamstrings are amongst the most overworked muscles in the body.

Whilst it's true that people who are less physically active are much less likely to develop hamstring injuries, they are still prone to developing trigger points in these muscles. This is especially so for those who stand for long periods in their daily work, or as a result of poor quality footwear.

Left untreated, hamstring trigger points may lead not only to injuries in the hamstring themselves, but possibly also to many other painful disorders, including lower back, hip, thigh, and knee pain.