You may be one of the many people that have tight hamstrings that you stretch, foam roll, stretch and roll and it never changes. You stretch them today and tomorrow they are tight again. Stretching has little effect on relieving this tightness. We tend to think we have tight hamstring if we cannot bend over and touch the floor or if lying on our back we are unable to raise our leg straight up.
Often this sensation of tightness, is not due to truly “short” hamstrings but to posture and impaired movement patterns that result in increased tone or tension in the hamstrings. This is considered “neurologic” tightness. In contrast, it is possible that our connective tissue just does not have the flexibility it needs, this is considered “mechanical” tightness.
To read the entire article click here: Hamstring Tightness
Article written by Amira Ranney, PR & Owner, Mountain Physical Therapy Services