Whether or not you can continue running with a hamstring injury will depend on your individual pain level and the severity of the injury. A mild issue with low-level pain might not keep you from running; however, it’s still a good idea to take it easy and reduce your normal intensity or distance. Your usual routine might make an injury worse—and then you will have to stop running so you can heal.
If the initial pain is significant, particularly when you’re active, you should pause your training so you can focus more on hamstring treatment. RICE therapy—rest, ice, compress, and elevate—works well as initial treatment for muscle strains. Our staff might also recommend anti-inflammatory pain killers.
Once the pain has resolved, you can begin therapy to return to running. You’ll need to carefully stretch your hamstring to restore flexibility and range of motion. You’ll also need to strengthen the muscle to help protect against other injuries in the future. Let the Castle Pines Physical Therapy team help you restore your legs for safe running. Call (303) 805-5156 to make an appointment at our Castle Pines, CO, or associated location in Cherry Creek.