Certain exercises can help stretch tight hamstring muscles, strengthening them and reducing the risk ofhamstring injuries.
Chief among them is amuscle strain(also known as a “pulled muscle”).
When your hamstring muscles are tight, they are more likely to experience tears.
Tx Group / Getty Images
These require more intensive treatment.
Rushing will only lead to injury.
Hamstring stretches may be uncomfortable at first but should not be painful.
If it hurts, you’re stretching too far.
In addition to static stretching, other interventions can help manage chronically tight hamstrings.
This is especially true if the tightness is related to an injury or is causing other physical conditions.
Treatment includes stretching and other interventions, such as massage, manual physical therapy, and dry needling.
2015;9(4):535-540. doi:10.4184%2Fasj.2015.9.4.535
National Health Service (UK).Hamstring injury.
2021;10(2):222-229. doi:10.1016%2Fj.jshs.2020.08.001
American Academy of Orthpaedics Surgeons.Hamstring muscle injuries.
2017 Feb;12(1):315.
Harvard Health.The ideal stretching routine.
2019;18(1):13-20.
A randomized within-participant clinical trial.PLoS One.
2022;17(7):e0270218.
2020;19(4):681-689.