Hamstring Strain

The hamstring group includes three muscles: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus—all located on the back of your thigh. These muscles help with hip extension and knee flexion, making them essential for running, jumping, and most athletic movements.

A hamstring strain or sprain occurs when these muscles or their tendons are overstretched or torn due to forceful or repetitive movements.

Common causes:

• Sprinting or explosive acceleration
• Overuse and fatigue
• Muscle imbalances (tight quads, weak glutes)
• Poor warm-up or mobility

Symptoms include:

• Sudden pain or pulling sensation in the back of the thigh
• Bruising or swelling
• Tenderness to touch
• Weakness or stiffness with movement

Why Rest Alone Isn’t Enough

Many people are told to rest, ice, and gradually return to movement. While rest is part of the process, it doesn’t address the underlying soft tissue dysfunction that caused the injury or developed as a result of it—like adhesions, scar tissue, or nerve irritation.

Enter: Active Release Technique (ART).

What Is Active Release Technique?

ART is a targeted, hands-on treatment designed to break up scar tissue and adhesions that form after injury or from chronic overuse. A certified ART provider uses precise tension and guided movement to free up soft tissue, restore healthy motion, and reduce nerve entrapment.

For hamstring strains, ART treatment often includes:

• Direct work on the hamstring muscle belly and tendons
• Addressing compensating muscles like the glutes, calves, and lower back
• Improving neural mobility if the sciatic nerve is involved
• Functional assessment to identify biomechanical contributors

How ART Helps with Hamstring Injuries

1. Breaks Down Scar Tissue for Better Healing
After a strain, the body builds up scar tissue to “repair” the area. While helpful short-term, excess scar tissue can restrict movement, reduce elasticity, and increase the risk of re-injury.

ART manually breaks up these adhesions, allowing the muscle to move and function more naturally.

2. Reduces Pain and Tension
Tight, shortened tissues around the hamstring (and even in the hips or calves) can pull on the injured area and prolong discomfort. ART releases that residual tension, improving flexibility and immediately easing pain without medication or downtime.

3. Restores Normal Movement and Mechanics
A hamstring injury doesn’t just affect the back of the thigh—it can throw off your entire gait and movement patterns. ART helps restore:

• Proper muscle length and tension
• Neuromuscular coordination
• Balance between agonist and antagonist muscles (think: hamstrings vs. quads)

This means less compensation, better form, and a safer return to full activity.

4. Speeds Up Recovery and Return to Sport
Because ART addresses the root cause and not just the symptoms, it accelerates the recovery process. Athletes can get back to training sooner—and with better movement quality—reducing the risk of recurring injuries.

5. Boosts Performance Beyond Just Rehab
Even once the injury is healed, ART can be used to:

• Improve hamstring flexibility and strength
• Enhance hip and knee mobility
• Increase stride efficiency and power

That’s why many pros use ART not only to recover—but to perform at their peak.

Pro Tip: ART + Smart Rehab = The Gold Standard

While ART is incredibly effective on its own, it works even better when combined with a well-designed rehab plan. That includes:

• Eccentric strength training
• Glute activation drills
• Mobility work
• Gradual return-to-play protocols

Your ART provider or rehab specialist can tailor this plan to your specific sport and goals.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let a Hamstring Strain Derail Your Season

Hamstring injuries are common—but they don’t have to keep you sidelined for long. With the right treatment, you can recover fully, move better, and even come back stronger than before.

Active Release Technique is one of the best tools to:

• Reduce pain
• Restore normal function
• Prevent reinjury
• Improve performance