What is a hamstring strain?

The hamstrings are the muscles found at the back of the thigh. The biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus are involved in knee flexion and hip extension. They allow to stabilise the knee while maintaining good balance of the forces exerted on the ball joint.

A insufficient warm-up or a excessive demand can cause a stretch. The muscle fibres are stretched beyond their capacity, sometimes to the point of causing partial tears. The pain appears gradually and intensifies when the knee is bent. The area becomes painful to palpation, causing the athlete to reduce activity or even stop training completely.

How to recognise a hamstring strain?

The main symptoms of a hamstring strain are

• Muscle pain on the back of the thigh
• Intensification of pain during exercise
• Sensitivity of the area to be touched

The pain usually subsides with rest, although the posterior part remains sensitive to touch. Whatever the symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to eliminate the risk of a major strain or tear.

How to prevent hamstring strain?

As you can see, a appropriate warm-up is essential before any activity. Before your sports session, but also afterwards, it is essential to give your body time to adapt, prepare and recover.

• To do this, always provide the time required to follow a warm-up before each training session.
• Make sure you adapt your sessions according to your abilities and give priority to regularity over intensity.
• Choose suitable shoes The shoes are designed to fit your feet and provide optimal cushioning for the training surface.
• Think of yourself hydrate sufficiently before, during and after exercise.
• Finally, don't forget to give yourself the rest your body needs to maintain its balance.

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How to soothe hamstring disturbances?

At the first sign of pain, stop all exercise and rest your muscles. Here are a few tips on how to naturally relieve hamstring discomfort and return to training in the best possible condition:

• The ice Apply ice to the back of the thigh. The cold helps to reduce the pain and limit the inflammation.

• Gaultheria essential oil: Known for its virtues on muscular pains, a soft massage with the essential oil of Gaultheria, will relieve the tensions at the back of the thigh.

• Physiotherapy : Gentle stretching exercises can be performed as the pain begins to subside. Progressive and appropriate muscle strengthening should be implemented.

• STIMCARE patches: Thanks to their natural action, STIMCARE patches are an excellent ally for managing disturbances in Lower Limbs. Made of natural mineral oxides, they help rebuild damaged tissue by stimulating blood microcirculation, improving oxygen supply and relieving muscle tension. Very easy to apply, the patches can be used in case of pain, but also to prevent the risk of injury. To do this, apply your patches to the key areas indicated in the tutorial "Relieve hamstring discomfort"(see photo below).

Your body is capable of working hard to achieve your goals, provided you give it the attention and rest it needs. STIMCARE patches help you relieve hamstring strain and prevent injury.