Home Remedies for a Pulled Hamstring

Pulled hamstrings are one of the most common reasons athletes and exercise enthusiasts end up on the sidelines. A "pulled" muscle is a strained muscle. It results in pain, swelling, bruising and loss of range of motion. Depending on the extent of the strain, the injury is classified as mild or acute. Most hamstring strains can be treated at home with the usual routine of rest, ice, compression and elevation, as well as anti-inflammatory medications and other natural supplements and rehabilitative exercises.

R.I.C.E.

R.I.C.E stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It's the first line of treatment after a muscle injury.

Rest: Cease activity. As soon as you feel the pain of a strained muscle, stop exercising. Continuing the activity can aggravate your injury. Stay off the injured leg as much as possible for at least a day or two. After that don't engage in any vigorous activities, or any activities that cause pain.

Ice: Applying ice to the injured hamstring will help reduce swelling. Use an ice pack or a couple bags of frozen vegetables. Sit for 20 minutes with your hamstring resting on the ice. Do this four to eight times a day for the first two to three days, or until pain subsides.

Compression: Wrapping an ace bandage securely around the injured thigh will also help reduce swelling.

Elevation: When you're sitting or lying down, place a pillow under your hamstring to alleviate pressure and prevent fluid build up in the strained muscles.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications and Supplements

As long as your doctor says it's OK, you can take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin to ease pain and reduce swelling. However, even if the pain is lessened by these medications, continue to limit activity and follow R.I.C.E protocol.

Certain natural supplements may also provide muscle pain and inflammation relief.

In a study, published in The Journal of Pain, 2 grams of ginger daily reduced exercise-related muscle pain.

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme which may reduce pain and swelling and also speed recovery time after a muscle injury. You can't get enough by actually eating pineapple; in supplement form, a dosage of 80 to 320 milligrams two to three times per day is recommended.

Turmeric contains the anti-inflammatory component curcumin. One study published in European Journal of Applied Physiology found that an oral does of 2.5 milligrams of curcumin twice daily improved exercise-related muscle pain and aided muscle damage repair and recovery.

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

Once the pain and inflammation have subsided, targeted stretching and strengthening exercises will help you regain range of motion and stability in the injured muscle group. If the strain was severe, it's a good idea to consult your doctor or a physical therapist to find out when it's safe to start a rehabilitative program and what specific exercises to include.

For more mild sprains, you can safely do the following exercises at home:

Straight-leg hamstring stretch: Put your foot on a table, step or or chair seat. Keeping your leg straight bend forward just enough to feel a slight stretch in the hamstring. Bend at the hips, rather than rounding the back. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat two more times.

Bent-leg hamstring stretch: Lie on your back and extend your leg with the injured hamstring up above you. Keep the knee slightly bent and hold behind the thigh with both hands. Gently pull the thigh toward you until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold for 10 seconds, release, then repeat two more times.

Isometric contractions: Lie on your stomach. Have a partner kneel by your feet. Bend the leg with the injured hamstring. Have your partner hold the heel of that foot and gently pull it down toward the ground as you use your hamstring strength to work against the resistance. Hold for a few seconds, then relax and repeat for a total of 10 reps.

Bridges: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Press into your heels and raise your hips up, using the strength of your hamstrings. Hold for a second at the top, then lower down. Do a total of three sets of eight reps. Increase your reps as you get stronger.