Guest guest Posted May 8, 2001 Report Share Posted May 8, 2001 I have, for the last 18 months of a committed Ashtanga Practise, been dealing with Hamstring issues which I am at a loss on how to deal with.<br><br>TLSlade? I love your self healing approach. Maybe you can help me. Anyone else? Please share.<br><br>After tearing the muscle belly a year ago in an overzealous Prasarita adjustment, I eased up on the Hamstring to allow it to heal. The Muscle healed beautifully, however the origion (Insertion) area flared up and became irritated/ inflamed.When I take time off (up to 10 days I've tried )to try to heal(subside the inflamation) the whole Hamstring just stiffens up. If I try to ease up on my practise (modifying to exclude the leg ie Marichiasana B instead of A) I feel unbalanced and the leg invariably gets irritated anyway.<br><br>I always feel stiffness and irritation in the insertion area (sitbones).<br><br>My hips are very open , all bent leg poses<br>are very easy for me. For example, I do full Supta Kurmasana (legs behind head), but I cannot even barley begin to straighten my legs in Kurmasansa.<br>Baddakonasana and Badda padmasana, chin to floor; Supta Konasana, barely beginning to move towards the floor with my chin (almost upright)<br><br>Ive tried accupuncture, and Physio (focus was on strengthening the hamstring. I've tried ignoring the pain, and alternately being super concientious of the slightest twinge.<br><br>I have made no increase in range of motion in my hamstrings in spite of a committed 6 day practise.I am starting to worry about permanent damage in the irritated area.<br><br>Do I keep practising...all is coming (this has been my focus for 18 months...and I have found much joy in other areas of my practise<br>in which my body has become more free (hips, back, shoulders) Do I seek another type of bodywork specialist? <br><br>Any insight or advise would be greatly appreciated....<br><br>Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2001 Report Share Posted May 8, 2001 Warriorgirl:<br><br>I would love to see a response to your post as I suffered what sounds like the perhaps the same sort of injury last August, and it's still with me. The limitations are just as you describe. Is your injury felt on the inner or the outer side of the sit bone?<br><br>Peace and Good,<br>Homer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2001 Report Share Posted May 8, 2001 Sweet Nectar Greetings, I, too, injured the hamstring many moons ago - 18 months. I still feel it. It comes and goes, like an old friend sometimes overstaying her welcome. I found no correlation between its level of intensity and any therapeutic endeavor : acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, practice respites, regular practice, chiropractic, running, warming-up etc. I really just lived with it, made friends with it and used it as a tool for observation. I will say that in the last 18 months of very consistent yoga parctice (not always Ashtanga) my hamstring flexibility has increased enourmously. I try to stay grateful for the what is not "wrong". I wish you the best in your ongoing encounter with the hamstring quartet.<br>with Unceasing Blessings, E&SJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2001 Report Share Posted May 8, 2001 Oh Homer and E.S. Joy,<br><br>It's nice to know I've got company, some how it's comforting to know that I'm not alone....<br><br>Homer, I feel the injury on the inner side of the sit bone, and it feels quite deep, physiologically I don't really understand what exactly it is that is inflamed or irritated, (although it's certainly not from lack of trying to find out...)How about you???<br><br>Someone suggested it might be the DURA(L)??? I cannot seem to find anything relating to the hamstring in anatomy references by this name, only the top of the spinal area) ???????<br><br>Looking at Anatomy pic's I can only zero in on the general insertion area, nothing specific....<br><br>E.S. Joy,<br>How did you approach your practise to get past the injury/discomfort and make progress in your range of motion/flexibility ???<br><br>'Warrior'girl (somewhat deflated by hamstring battle...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2001 Report Share Posted May 8, 2001 in reply to your post-- if the Dura is inflamed-another term is arachnoiditis- its the lining of the spinal cord near where the nerve root enters the spinal cord--it can take a long time to heal--lets hope that it isnt that and just a tendonitis.<br>I think that many of us are tighter in one plane and looser in the other--and the goal is to stretch the limit with out going over. And after all, the only one your competing with is yourself--live with your limits and love them.<br>Namaste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2001 Report Share Posted May 9, 2001 Yes, the self-healing approach, is there any other option? Saw Uma on Dave tonight talking about Nick Nolte. Sounds like he is very into self-healing. Will have to look into that. For some general ideas/inspiration/whatever on self-healing, I have a new page here: <a href=http://www.ionet.net/~tslade/selfheal.htm target=new>http://www.ionet.net/~tslade/selfheal.htm</a><br><br>Have not had the misfortune of hamstring problems (except that mine are very tight). Have been dealing with a couple of other problems that have taught me a lot. The current focal point of my year-long hand/wrist/arm problems is my right elbow, which seems to have tendonitis. I believe this to be basically caused by an abnormal stress on the tendon(s) caused by tension which shortens the muscle(s). Arms and legs are very complicated - lots of muscles, all of them connecting to bones with tendons. Tendons heal much slower than muscles due to less vascularization. But they sometimes heal a LOT slower because the tension remains, constantly stressing them. (Either chronic tension has not been removed or acute tension is continuing from use/abuse). If you tore your muscle, then it is probably shortened from tension resulting from the trauma (the body tries to protect itself) and also has some scar tissue. I'm not expert about the effect of scar tissue but I think it can be dealt with, and the tension can be taken out. I think that if the leg muscles are rebalanced, the irritation at the tendon can heal. There are lots of ways to do yoga, ways to work around things. I would not ignore the pain. Until the muscles are relaxed, you don't want to be stretching into the tendons too much. It is probably not usually good for most people to ever be stretching into tendons and ligaments. Besides careful yoga, I would recommend massage. I would look for someone who does deep tissue work, maybe a Rolfer. These are the real bodyworkers. (Bodywork doesn't have to be deep though, a lot can be done with the superficial layers of the fascia - same applies to stretching). But you can also do this to yourself. The Thera Cane can work deeply into the hamstrings. I just tried it out and will have to do more of that! Also, Feldenkrais is very interesting stuff and may be useful on your healing journey.<br><br>The other thing I've been dealing with is more recent. If I bend forward or assume downward dog, I have a pain on the inside of my left heel just below the ankle. I'm figuring the same thing on it, tension in muscles causing a pull at the tendon. A supported uttitha hasta padangusthasana (foot on a chair) seems to help and does not hurt, while many other postures which seem similar do cause pain. Due to the complicated human anatomy, similar postures may have different results. You will need to find ways to stretch the hamstrings (and other involved muscles) without stressing the connection at the tendon.<br><br>** Just my opinions, could be totally wrong **<br><br>And if you haven't checked out Sam Dworkis, see <a href=http://www.extensionyoga.com target=new>http://www.extensionyoga.com</a><br><br>Have faith and keep after it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2001 Report Share Posted May 9, 2001 You have my sympathy. I have had almost the exact opposite problem - straight leg forward bends were no problem for me practically from day one, but because of an old knee injury and tight hips, it took me over four years to be able to do padmasana without hurting my knees. It is frustrating.<br><br>But, if you stick with your practice, and can come to see having such an opportunity to learn as a blessing, the patience and humility you'll learn from it might make you a better yogi in the long run. (Which doesn't make it fun while it's happening, I know) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 i am not an expert to begin with. i have had difficulties with hamstrings in the past. it appears that eventually the stiffness lessens. but why i a, replying is this. when my mind begins to get involved with these obsticles they appear more solid but when i allow myself to just be there in the momentand see myself in the asana there is a great lessening of these difficulties <br>be well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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