Hamstring Strain Physiotherapy
A pulled hamstring can interrupt running, football and everyday walking. Assessment helps plan a safe progression from early movement to the demands of your activity.
A hamstring strain affects muscle fibres at the back of the thigh, often during sprinting or an unexpected stretch. It differs from gradual tendon pain near the sitting bone. The amount of bruising alone cannot tell you how serious an injury is. Assessment at our Newham clinic in Plaistow considers the injury, your walking and the activity you want to regain; a suspected major tear needs medical assessment first.
This guide is general information and does not replace a clinical assessment.
- Your clinic
- Newham clinic & directions
Newham Leisure Centre, 281 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8SD
- Self-pay
£60 for a 30-minute physiotherapy appointment.
Prices & self-pay- Health insurance
Cover depends on your plan and chosen physiotherapist.
Insurance & cash-plan guidance
Common Symptoms
A sudden pulling or sharp sensation behind the thigh during activity.
Tenderness with bruising or swelling developing after the injury.
Difficulty taking a normal stride or using stairs comfortably.
Weakness when bending the knee or trying to run faster.
Seek Prompt Medical Advice If You Have
Go to A&E immediately or call 999 after injury if the leg is misshapen, numb, cold or blue-grey.
Contact NHS 111 promptly for severe or worsening pain, extensive bruising or difficulty standing.
Seek prompt medical assessment after a pop with marked weakness or a visible change in the muscle's shape.
Contact NHS 111 if swelling worsens or you develop fever or shivering; do not wait for physiotherapy.
If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or seek urgent medical care.
Assessment
Discuss the exact movement, any pop and previous hamstring injuries.
Check walking, local tenderness and comfortable hip and knee movement.
Assess muscle function without immediately testing maximal effort.
Explain whether findings suggest routine rehabilitation or medical assessment for a larger tear.
Treatment
Agree temporary changes to running, work and daily walking while symptoms settle.
Build hamstring strength progressively rather than relying on stretching alone.
Introduce faster movement and sport-specific tasks when the earlier stages are manageable.
Review progress against your goals and explain the next stage of your programme.
Aftercare & self-management
At your appointment, agree which exercises to do, how often to practise them and when to review your progress.
Stop sprinting or kicking through a fresh sharp pain; avoid forceful early massage.
Use comfortable movement as symptoms allow instead of repeatedly testing a painful stretch.
Record how walking and rehabilitation feel afterwards, not only during the activity.
Keep to the agreed progression; being comfortable at walking pace is not clearance to sprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a pulled hamstring always need a scan?+
No. History and examination often guide the next step. Imaging may be needed when a substantial tear or a tendon pulled from its attachment is suspected.
Should I stretch the tight feeling straight away?+
Not forcefully. A fresh injury may feel tight without needing an aggressive stretch. Ask for movement advice appropriate to its stage.
When can I return to football or sprinting?+
There is no single timetable. Return should reflect strength, movement and progressively faster activity, with medical clearance where required, rather than a pain-free walk alone.
Can I attend if this keeps happening?+
Yes. Bring details of previous injuries, training and any scans. We can discuss a realistic rehabilitation plan and checkpoints; no programme can guarantee that a strain will never recur.
Related Pages
Explore related treatments and condition guides.
Further reading
For public health information, self-care guidance and advice on when to seek medical help:
About your care at Nexus: meet our physiotherapists and read our clinical governance information.