Hamstring Strain
A hamstring strain is a common muscle injury, particularly in sports involving sprinting or rapid acceleration. Structured rehabilitation supports recovery and a safe return to sport.
30-minute appointments as standard · No referral required
What is Hamstring Strain?
A hamstring strain involves stretching or tearing of the muscle fibres at the back of the thigh, commonly occurring during sprinting, rapid acceleration, or sudden changes in direction. It’s a common injury across many sports.
This can include sudden pain at the back of the thigh during activity, tightness, bruising, or difficulty with sprinting or stretching the leg. Severity varies significantly, from mild strains to more significant tears.
How We Assess Hamstring Strain
Assessment includes understanding how the injury occurred, your current symptoms, and your strength and flexibility through the hamstring and surrounding muscles.
We assess strength, flexibility and function, including how your hamstring responds to loaded movements, to understand the extent of the injury and guide rehabilitation.
Treatment and Rehabilitation Approach
Treatment typically progresses from managing initial symptoms, through progressive strengthening, to sprint-specific and sport-specific loading as part of a staged return.
This sits within our broader sports physiotherapy approach, with particular focus on reducing the risk of recurrence.
Looking for help with a Hamstring Strain?
An assessment can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and guide the next steps.
Symptoms
Sudden pain at the back of the thigh
Often occurs during sprinting or a sudden movement, and may be accompanied by a pulling sensation.
Tightness or bruising
Tightness is common in milder strains; bruising may develop with more significant injuries.
Reduced strength or flexibility
Difficulty with sprinting, stretching or loading the hamstring is common during recovery.
Causes and Risk Factors
Sprinting and high-speed running
Hamstring strains commonly occur during maximal or near-maximal sprinting efforts.
Strength at high running speeds
Hamstring strength through high-speed running, particularly as the leg decelerates, can lag behind sprinting demands and increase strain risk.
Previous hamstring injury
A prior hamstring strain is a known factor associated with future injury risk, which is why rehabilitation matters.
Return-to-Sport Considerations
Restore pain-free movement
Early rehabilitation focuses on settling symptoms and restoring comfortable walking and jogging, before running speed is progressed.
Rebuild strength for sprinting
Strength is rebuilt in stages, with particular focus on the hamstring’s role at high running speed, before sprinting is reintroduced.
Return to sprinting and sport gradually
Sprinting and sport-specific demands are reintroduced progressively, guided by how the hamstring responds, to help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a hamstring strain take to heal?
This depends on the severity of the strain — mild strains often recover faster than more significant tears. Your physiotherapist can give you a clearer timeframe once assessed.
Can I keep training with a hamstring strain?
This depends on severity. Some training modifications are often possible, while sprinting is usually reduced or avoided until the hamstring has recovered sufficient capacity.
Do I need a scan for a hamstring strain?
Imaging can be useful for more significant injuries or if recovery isn’t progressing as expected, and this is discussed with you at assessment.
Why do hamstring strains keep happening?
Recurrence is often linked to returning to sprinting before the hamstring has regained sufficient strength and capacity, which is why a staged return matters.
Clinically reviewed by Ryan Harris on 18/08/2026