chiroprator active release technique: Hamstring Strain

Your friendly Chiropractor in Chandler AZ, Dr. Dan Rae, is back at the computer as we are starting to warm up outside to talk about Hamstring Strains as runners start to get back out on the roads and so forth.  This is a condition that I see a lot in the spring months as people begin to become more active to try and get those beach bodies

In the image above by MendMeShop, we are able to to clearly see a Hamstring Strain of the biceps femoris muscle.  This condition call also occur in the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles.  The reason this injury occurs is from an overcontraction of the hamstring while it is in a position of being stretched.  Tearing occurs most often at the junction of the muscles and aponeurosis (A sheet of pearly-white fibrous tissue that takes the place of a tendon in sheetlike muscles having a wide area of attachment). An Avulsion Fracture (An avulsion fracture is a bone fracture, which occurs when a fragment of bone tears away from the main mass of bone as a result of physical trauma) is possible at the ischial tuberosity (sit bone) in younger athletes whose growth plates haven’t closed yet.

These patients are usually what we would call “weekend warriors” all the way to the serious athlete who feels a sudden pull or pop at the back of the thigh following some sort of forceful knee extension maneuver.

Treatment for this condition consists of rest, ice, use of crutches for several days, gentle stretching as soon as possible as well as soft-tissue treatments such as Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique, and a long-term goal of restrengthening beginning when 75% of the normal range of motion is available.  Kinesiology Tape can be applied to decrease the amount of tension being placed on the hamstring.  Prevention of future injury should focus on preevent stretching, maintaining a proper strength ratio between the hamstrings and the quadriceps (0.6:1), and strength balance between the two hamstrings.

Kinesiology tape: Adductor Strain/ Groin Pull

Your friendly Chiropractor in Chandler AZ, Dr. Dan Rae, is back at the computer this afternoon to talk about the Adductor Strain also known as a Groin Pull or Pulled Groin.  This is an injury that happens quite often, and I would have to say I see it mostly in individuals who do not warm up properly.

The cause of the Adductor Strain is generally from a sudden contraction of the adductor muscles (the muscles that pull the leg back to mid line) from a stretched position where the hip abducted out away from the body or in a flexed position.  The most common site of this injury is at the junction of the muscle and the tendon of the adductor magnus muscle.

These patients usually come into my office complaining pain in the groin area after performing movements such as kicking, sprinting, water skiing, or jumping such as high jumps or hurdles.  They also say that the pain in the groin came on immediately after the movement and was incapacitating.

Treatment for this condition sometimes includes an elastic figure eight strapping around the hip with slight extension and internal rotation of the hip.  Kinesiology Tape is often applied to decrease the amount of tension being placed on the adductor muscles, and myofascial release techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique are utilized to prevent scar tissue formation and encourage proper healing.

Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Back Pain

Today, natural treatment for back pain is the most sought after alternative by many as opposed to traditional medical treatment. About 22 million Americans are now seeking chiropractic care annually, 35% of which are people who are experiencing back pain due to automobile accidents, sports injuries and more. Other concerns include neck pain, arms, legs and even headaches.

Chiropractic Care Explained

Chiropractic care is a health care and not a treatment for any disease. This type of modality mainly focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system including its effect with regard to one’s general health.

Chiropractic care is an alternative solution to ease the pain particularly in the muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissue. This is also sometimes practiced in conjunction with conventional medication.

Chiropractors or chiropractic physicians are well-trained individuals who practice a drug-free and hands-on approach towards all aspects of a person’s health. Primarily, they will ask for the patient’s history. Then performs physical examination, diagnosis, and lastly, determining the proper treatment plan appropriate to each individual’s back pain concerns.

They are also trained to provide and recommend rehabilitative and therapeutic exercises, nutritional and dietary counseling and lifestyle counseling to address back pain. The therapeutic procedure includes “spinal manipulation”, also known as “chiropractic adjustment.”

How is spinal manipulation performed? By simply applying manual and controlled force to hypomobile joints due to a tissue injury, it will help restore mobility thus alleviating muscle tightness and pain. Doing so will allow the tissues to heal and eventually stop the pain completely.

Why Choose Chiropractic Care?

• The use of spinal manipulation or chiropractic care is guaranteed to be safe and effective especially in treating acute back pain. Acute lower back pain is usually caused by sudden injury resulting from lifting furniture or moving hefty items in the house.
• Chiropractic is also effective in treating neck pain and headaches.
• The moderate pressure applied through deep tissue massage may also ease the pain of osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

Chiropractic treatment is done with accurate diagnosis of your back pain, therefore, it is vital that your chiropractor is knowledgeable of your medical history, current medical conditions, ongoing medications, and of course, your present lifestyle. Informing your doctor about this information will assure you of great results and fast recovery. 


About the Author:
Dr. Dan Rae's professional interests lie in helping the community reach their health potential.  Through hundreds of hours of post-graduate training, Dr. Rae has studied different soft-tissue therapies, studying the muscles and how to help them function appropriately.