4 Helpful Ways You Can Avoid Hamstring Strain
If you’re someone who thoroughly enjoys a dynamic, lively lifestyle, then a healthy body—one free of ailments and impairments—is a must-have for your daily activities. Out of all your main muscles, the hamstrings are a group that plays a critical role in mobility. Hamstring injury prevention is key to maintaining your standard of active living.
Whether you’re an avid athlete or you only occasionally work out, tight hamstrings place you at an increased risk for injury. The dreaded hamstring strain is a nagging affliction of the lower limbs, but you are by no means destined to suffer from it. We’ve compiled a list of four helpful ways you can avoid hamstring strain. Let’s take a closer look at these effective methods together.
Loosen Up and Stretch Pre-Workout
Prior to any physical activity, go step by step through a proper warmup routine. A poor warmup—or a lack of one altogether—is a prevalent cause of hamstring injuries. Hamstring strains mainly occur when the muscle group must rapidly move from a shortening to a lengthening motion. Sudden accelerations, high-speed sprinting, or bending lower-limb maneuvers are common movements that create an augmented pull on the hamstrings.
A beneficial prevention method is to increase your flexibility. Pre-workout static stretches loosen up the body and release tension in the muscles.
Focus on Stability and Strength Exercises
When it comes to training itself, targeted routines are valuable for coordination between assorted muscle groups. Understanding the importance of muscle balance prevents hamstring trouble. Try to achieve proper balance throughout training or practice sessions. Focus on exercises that coordinate stability between the hamstrings and quadriceps, hips, or core muscles. Guidance from a professional trainer or physical therapist can help you personalize tailored techniques and plans for superior stability.
Know Your Body’s Warning Signs
Knowing your body’s limits is another of the four helpful ways you can avoid hamstring strain. When you ignore the warning signs, excessively straining key muscles is easier than you might realize. Worn-out muscles can lose some of their natural ability to absorb energy, and a fatigued muscular system is far more prone to injury. Remain cautious and watchful of your current capabilities during physical activities to avoid overdoing it.
Rest, Recharge, and Recover
Speaking of fatigue, practicing suitable recovery strategies is a beneficial way to restore and repair your muscles. Concentrate on methods that build strength and resilience when your hamstrings feel sore or weak. Keep in mind that your hamstrings are particularly vulnerable to tighter tension because of their long length. Ergo, you can use specialized tools to stretch the fascia of the muscle group sideways and relieve that discomfort. If painful or tight hamstrings are holding you back from freely living your life, we have the solution you’re looking for. Mobilization Magic™ is a hamstring stretch tool designed by an award-winning physical therapist to help people get moving again. Learn more about its unique abilities on our website today.