Back Surgery --> Tight Hamstrings

[yellowdemon]

I had back surgery in 02, and since my hamstrings have been incredibly tight. I was wondering if there was anything that really helps relieve the tightness of hamstrings. I stretch about 5-7 mins before and after every workout. My hamstrings are always tighter in the morning, so tight that it is hard to stretch, but by mid-day they are limbered up to around normalish. A physical therapist told me that for my age she had never seen anyone with tighter hamstrings. Which is odd cause I'm an active person. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated cause I figure they will continue to worsen.

--Steven

[Laxer311]

Same thing with me man. Mine are extremely tight especially for how active i am. I tore my left one about a year ago and let me tell you its the worst feeling in the world. You'll wake up feeling ok you can walk normal but anything type of job or great pressure and your leg just collapses. Try massaging it or stretching in a sauna thats what i did and it has helped alot.

[yellowdemon]

Thanks, I wish I could wake up feeling like I do when I go to bed. All relaxed.

[jdmalm123]

often, the hamstring problem is from a lack of integrating the glutes and low back with the hamstrings (collectively called the posterior chain)...if you are using poor movement patterns or lifting posture, your hamstrings will remain tight as a defensive mechanism.

focus on more challenging core training and on activating/contracting the glutes hard when lifting.

you could have some excessive tension in your psoas muscles. A good massage therapist or physical therapist can palpate the muscles to try to help them relax.

Also, check into "contract/relax" stretching techniques.


PS - Yes, I had a spine surgery.

[paul0616]

my hamstrings are prone to get tight as well, which can cause low back pain. THe only thing I can think to do is stretch them daily, or even multiple times per day. Just be care to maintain back neutral posture, as any curve can load up the lumbar.

[Fresch]

I had back surgery in 02, and since my hamstrings have been incredibly tight. I was wondering if there was anything that really helps relieve the tightness of hamstrings. I stretch about 5-7 mins before and after every workout. My hamstrings are always tighter in the morning, so tight that it is hard to stretch, but by mid-day they are limbered up to around normalish. A physical therapist told me that for my age she had never seen anyone with tighter hamstrings. Which is odd cause I'm an active person. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated cause I figure they will continue to worsen.

--Steven


Most likely that your neural tissues (sciatic nerve) are tight and need to be mobilised. There are exercises to do this.

[MikeCellucor]

Agreed. See if you can find an Active Release Therapist in your area. They are like miracle workers.

[yellowdemon]

Thanks for all the advice, I'll check into it. it was my sciatic nerve on my right side that gave me tons of problems. Doing Glute stretches are intense on my right side, and certain stretches that are supposed to work the hamstrings, just kill my calves. So my right side has tight hamstrings, calves, and glutes.

[Fresch]

Neural tissue moblisation is not the domain of ART as far as I know. Most of the work is in the realm of the physiotherapy world for testing, daignosis and exercises for this.

[MikeCellucor]

Then you have never had ART done on you, hehe. Trust me ART is the best investment I have ever made into my physical well being. If the nerve is entrapted or immobilized it can be from adhesions and scar tissue that ART can break up with ease ( via a well practiced practioner). I had work done in my rhomboids where he help to slide the new through properly, and made a world of difference. I now go every 2 months ...instead of 2 weeks.

[Fresch]

Then you have never had ART done on you, hehe. Trust me ART is the best investment I have ever made into my physical well being. If the nerve is entrapted or immobilized it can be from adhesions and scar tissue that ART can break up with ease ( via a well practiced practioner). I had work done in my rhomboids where he help to slide the new through properly, and made a world of difference. I now go every 2 months ...instead of 2 weeks.

People will believe anything....