Treating hamstring injuries in Grand Rapids, MI, with physical therapy

A sudden, sharp pain in the back of your thigh may be related to a hamstring injury. The hamstrings are a group of muscles in the back of your thigh that help you straighten your leg and bend your knee. Overexertion of these muscles or a hard impact can cause them to stretch or tear, which is known as a strain. A strain is painful and limits your ability to use your leg. 

In some cases, hamstring strains are minor and can be treated with a little rest at home. However, in many cases, you’ll need to visit a health care professional to treat a hamstring strain. 

Treating hamstring injuries with physical therapy

Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who are highly skilled in treating hamstring injuries. At Advent Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we are experienced in a variety of treatments for hamstring injuries, including: 

• Therapeutic exercises — The goal of these exercises is to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your hamstring and in the other parts of your leg surrounding the hamstring. These exercises can help reduce pressure off the injury. They also help improve the circulation in your hamstring, which helps the recovering injury get the nutrients and oxygen it needs.
• Manual therapy — Physical therapists use manual therapy (also known as hands-on therapy) to mobilize and manipulate the muscles and joints around the hamstring injury. These techniques help reduce pain and improve your range of motion while recovering.
• Functional exercises — As your hamstring begins to reach the final stages of recovery, your physical therapist may begin guiding you through functional exercises. These are exercises that subject your hamstring to the kinds of use you would use it for in daily life and physical activities. Functional exercises are designed to ease you back into these activities at a safe pace so you don’t risk reinjuring the hamstring. 

Visit Advent Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids, MI, for hamstring injury treatment

Have you stretched or torn your hamstring muscles? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids can examine the condition of your hamstring and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. Contact our team today for more information about hamstring injury treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.