Hamstring pain

[dgriffin]

Dear Cathe,

Last fall I added your Maximum Intensity Strength lower body workout to my routine, twice a week. (I had already been doing the upper body for about a year). After about 2 months though, I started getting bad hamstring pain. I added more hamstring work since your routine seemed heavy on quads, but that did not relieve the pain. So I stopped doing the lower body work altogether, although I still get quite a bit by doing Interval Max and Body Max once a week each.

The pain feels almost like an electrical shock from the glutes to the knee, in both legs. It is most painful in the morning and after other stretches of inactivity. It feels best after doing cardio, but the pain can hit anytime in any standing position. What can I do to get rid of this and start doing lower body strength training again? Even stretching is very painful, although I force myself to do it.

 

[TarHeelMom]

Hi DGriffin!

I'm not Cathe, but since she's sort of on maternity leave right now and it may be a while before she sees your post, I thought I'd chime in. I am not a doctor, nurse or other medical pro -- just an experienced exerciser.

What you're describing might be muscle-related or it may be nerve-related pain. From your description it sounds a little more to me like something neurological (I've had a little personal experience with lower back nerve pain myself).

I would hi-tail myself to an orthopedist or at least to my internist for some professional advice. This problem's been going on for a long time for you, and not getting any better. So I would stop immediately doing my lower-body workouts that might aggravate the injury, and get it professionally evaluated.

Better safe than sorry!

Let us know what you find out, and I hope you feel much better soon!

http://www.clicksmilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport003.gif Kathy S.

 

[Beets]

You definitely need to be evaluated by a doctor. The "electrical shock" pain you are describing sounds like you have a nerve impingement. It could be from what is called piriformis syndrome (the piriformis is a deep buttock muscle and the sciatic nerve runs right through it in most people. If the piriformis muscle is tight or becomes injured and inflamed, it can squeeze the sciatic nerve causing the pain you describe)or it could be from a herniated disc in your back. Since you say the pain is in both legs, I would lean more towards it being a disc problem. However, I am not a doctor, just a personal trainer but I emphasize the fact that you need to see a doctor. Good luck, hopefully it is just something simple and easily dealt with.

 

[tryin2bfit]

Again, I am no doctor, but I have major back problems myself. See your doctor and let him/her decide what route to take. It could be something as simple as chiropractic treatment that is needed. It's amazing how our backs affect our entire bodies. Respect it! It is so frustrating how we can be limited by our bodies when we want to be healthy and strong. My DH always says about my back "Just get it fixed". Oh, if only it were that simple!

Good luck!
Sandi

 

[dgriffin]

Well, that's not what I wanted to hear but since 3 of you say it, I guess I'll have to go to the doctor. I need to have my EKG double checked and I have been putting that off too, so I guess I can kill two birds here ( I hope). Thanks for your input.

By the way, it's been a while since I have been on this site - Cathe's expecting again? When is she due? I have two kids and that is part of the problem why I can't get to the doctor - they keep me so busy!

 

[Bobbi]

As a runner, boy am I familiar with the hamstring pulls! Here's an article that might help. You need to seey a doctor. If one of your kids was in need, you would never put it off. Don't put seeing yours off becuase of them! That will teach them that sacrificing their health at the expense of someone elses is the way to do things. Get to the doctor, young lady, before you end up in such bad shape you can't take care of anyone!

Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!

 

[Bobbi]

Oops, I forget to add the link to the article about hamstring injuries! http://www.betterbodz.com/team/ham.html

Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!

 

[kimlav]

Boy, do I know about hamstring pain. I agree with the very good advice to see a doctor.

That being said, it sure does sound like more of a nerve issue than a muscle one since the odds of pulling both hamstrings at the same time are fairly low. When you pull your hamstring muscle, it pretty much hurts all the time with the lessening of pain as it heals. (which is what the article says as well)

The healing of my hamstring ranks up there as the longest injury I ever had having taken about a year to really heal. I learned a very good lesson about listening to one's body.

I hope your situation resolves itself quickly and good luck with your doctor's appointment.

Kim