Located at the back of your thigh, your hamstrings are one of the primary muscles you use to walk every day. Since they are heavily used, pulled or strained hamstrings are one of the most common sports injuries, and can even occur when walking or performing daily tasks. While the pain will go away by itself, there are some steps you can take to soothe the ache and speed up healing, such as shiatsu therapy and rest. To learn more about how you can help your body recover from a strained hamstring, see the following tips.

4 Treatments for Hamstring Injuries

1. Rest

Resting the affected area prevents further strain that can slow down the healing process of your injury. Avoid exercise for at least a week, or follow the instructions of your doctor for when you can return to your regular activities. Ice and medications such as ibuprofen may help with pain and swelling.

2.Shiatsu Massage

Massage therapy reduces pain by loosening tight muscles and helping your body relax. Forms such as the Japanese Shiatsu therapy can decrease muscular discomfort by promoting healthy circulation and relieving pressure points in the body. Inform your therapist of your injury ahead of time so they know what areas to be cautious around to prevent pain.

3. Physical Therapy

Following an injury, physical therapy can help you regain your range of motion, improve flexibility, increase strength, and avoid other injuries. Therapists develop personalized treatments that target your problem areas, such as manual manipulation to correct misalignments, hydrotherapy to reduce muscle tension, or massage therapy to soothe aching muscles.

4. Stretching

Stretching promotes flexibility and helps you avoid future injuries. Once the area is no longer painful, consider exercises such as the hurdler stretch, which requires you to sit down, stretch one leg in front of you, and extend your hands as close to your toes as possible.

If you’re looking for non-invasive ways to find relief following a pulled hamstring, visit Aisen Chiryo Doin, Inc. Based in Honolulu, HI for over 40 years, they offer massage therapies including foot and Shiatsu massage to treat injuries, pain, stress, and promote overall wellness. Learn more about Shiatsu on their website, or call (808) 596-7354 to make an appointment.