HAMSTRING REHAB: RESPECT THE PROCESS

For Hamstring Rehab, Respect the PROCESS

Hamstring rehab is truly a non-linear process. Consistent test-retest is vital to better understand the healing timeline of the individual as well as how they are adapting to the imposed stress of the rehab process. It is normal to see fluctuations in range of motion, muscle tone, or performance of exercises but failing to recognize these alterations can lead to improper progression or prescriptions. Daily or session to session assessment are interlaced with larger “checkpoints” that serve as mile markers giving us guidance of where and how to progress next within a phase based approach. 

Evidence on hamstring strain rehab demonstrates that a systematic process leading to criteria based decision making breeds the best outcomes (Mendiguchia et. al 2017). 

There is no such thing as “usual care” for hamstring strains. It is essential to individualize your care, but this must be done inside of a structured process.

This process must be formed around checkpoints, or criteria, that serve as a north star to where we are on the road to return to play. To reach these checkpoints, we need agile plans. 

Bolstered by the structure of our principles and process, our day to day response must be flexible  to day to day fluctuations. A cookie cutter or prefabricated plan will consistently fall short due to the variance of presentation both between different patients and within the same patient from day to day. 

 I remember on my first clinical rotation writing out what I felt was a beautiful rehab periodization and plan only to have this ripped apart by the dynamic realities of an actual day in the clinic. 

Agility will allow us to get there faster and safer than following a strict plan and hoping things move linearly. 

Unsure where to start with Hamstring Strain Rehab?  Our new course will dive deep into best practices and nuanced clinical decision making for hamstring strain injuries.  Approved for .6 CEUs in 40+ States for Physical Therapists. Get all the Details and Start HERE