Why They Happen

If you've ever felt a sudden "pull" or sharp pain in the back of your thigh while sprinting, jumping, or even bending over — chances are, you've had a hamstring injury. You're not alone. Hamstring strains are among the most common injuries in both athletes and weekend warriors alike.

In both recreational and professional sports, hamstring injuries are one of the most common injuries ranging from 14%-63% occurrence.

Over a 12-year span in the NFL, a study found 2,101 hamstring injuries among 1,354 players. The mean time on injured reserve for hamstring injuries was about 2.4 weeks.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a hamstring injury include a sudden sharp pain in the back of the thigh, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or straightening the leg. Severity can range from mild strains (Grade 1) to complete tears (Grade 3).

How Accelerated Sports Can Help You Prevent and Recover

Physical therapy plays a critical role in both the rehabilitation and prevention of hamstring injuries. Whether you're recovering from a mild strain or a more severe tear, PT addresses not just the injured muscle but also the factors that may have contributed to the injury in the first place.

1. Promotes Proper Healing

Early-stage therapy focuses on reducing pain, swelling, and scar tissue buildup.
Controlled loading of the hamstring helps the muscle regenerate stronger and align fibers properly, reducing risk of chronic tightness or re-injury.

2. Restores Range of Motion

Injuries often lead to stiffness and shortened muscles.
Therapists use manual therapy, stretching, and joint mobilization to restore flexibility and normal hip/knee function.

3. Strengthens the Hamstring (and Surrounding Muscles)

After an injury, the muscle often becomes weak—especially in eccentric strength (lengthening under tension)
PT includes progressive resistance training, especially eccentric exercises like Nordic hamstring curls, to rebuild strength.

4. Corrects Muscle Imbalances

Weak glutes or overdominant quads can overload the hamstrings.
Therapists address core, glute, and hip weaknesses, restoring proper biomechanics and muscle coordination.

5. Improves Neuromuscular Control

PT helps retrain the timing and coordination of movement patterns, particularly in running and cutting.
Agility drills, balance work, and movement retraining help athletes regain confidence and control.

6. Gradual Return-to-Play Programming

Therapists structure phase-based rehab, from basic mobility to full-speed sprinting and sport-specific drills.
This reduces the chance of rushing back too early, a major cause of reinjury.

The Bottom Line

Hamstring injuries can be frustrating—but physical therapy helps speed recovery, build resilience, and reduce future injury risk. For athletes especially, working with a knowledgeable PT is often the difference between a lingering injury and a full, confident return to sport

From Strain to Gain - Hamstring Injuries