Hamstring ache

[SimonB]

I often get a mild but annoying ache and slight stiffening in my hamstrings just behind my left knee. While this is usually after MA training, other physical activities can cause the same thing. Today I went on a five mile hike, and spent twenty minutes stretching afterwards (including gentle yoga style foward bends, which I thought would be ideal for preventing the ache) but the problem has flared up again. It seems that the more I stretch it, the worse the ache gets. It always becomes noticeable when I sit at my desk (as now) with my legs bent under the chair - I have to periodically stretch my left leg out to prevent stiffening. The right, as I say, is perfectly OK. I gave up jogging some months ago after developing achilles tendonitus - on my left side also. Is there a link here? What do people think?

Nb. I have no loss of mobility or ham-string pain whilst exercising

Thank you

Simon Bacsich

[Mandeigh Wells]

I gave up jogging some months ago after developing achilles tendonitus - on my left side also. Is there a link here? thats a possibility...are you compensating and taking more weight on the other leg or has the tendonitis altered the way you more structurally......it may be that there has been more of a strain on the opposite leg. Also it is wise to be careful with the stretching that you don't over stretch and and cause the joint to become hyper mobile......How is your back? Do you take care to stretch you back before your legs?

At least having no pain while exercising is a good thing......interesting to know what is causing it though, have you considered seeing an osteopath?

[De_Franza]

Perhaps it has to do with your form. Maybe you are overstretching, so it stretches the connective tissue and not the muscle?

Do you have flat feet or one leg shorter than the other? Might be time to see a sports doctor before it gets really bad.

Maybe this will help (see attachment)

[CosimoTe]

Interesting problem you have there. If the ache located to the back and outter portion of the knee, its hamstring. If it is central, then it would be achilles related. In either case, I would recommend cutting the work outs down a notch and focusing on the pre activity warm up. Twenty minutes before a hike or MA would do you more good than after. Also when you stretch, dont try to increase your flexibility or " max out " do it simply and gradually. If you have a discrepancy between the length of your legs, this may need to be addressed