My muscle feels tight?

Thigh muscle pain, feels like being stretched out?

• You know when sometimes the inner sole of your foot gets stretched out funny from walking and the muscles feel extremely tight, stretched out, and susceptible to snap even? Well I have that muscle pain feeling in my left thigh (sometimes it trickles to my shin as well). It doesn't go away, no matter how I position or stretch my leg. The pain runs from the bottom left side of my left thigh, to the left side of my knee, and to the bottom left side of my shin. I took a nap, woke up, and BAM! tons of pain. I have no idea what I could've done... Does anyone know what this is and/or how to get rid of it. It's a very annoying, ongoing pain and I can't relax.

• Answer:

  Sounds like you have pulled a hamstring, my dear. Recommended treatment for this injury consists of the RICE protocol - rest, ice, compression, and elevation.[1] The RICE method is primarily used to reduce bleeding and damage within the muscle tissue. Lower grade strains can easily become worse if the hamstring is not rested properly. Grade one hamstrings should be rested from sporting activity for approximately 3 weeks, and grade two injuries typically require 4 to 6 weeks for recovery. Complete ruptures require surgical repair and rehabilitation for approximately 3 months.Yet Grade one injuries if not put pressure upon can heal in a time period of 2 to 3 days. Initial treatment of the injury, regardless of the severity of the strain, is the same. Within the first five days, the hamstring is rested in an elevated position with an ice pack applied for twenty minutes every two hours. A compression bandage is applied to limit bleeding and swelling in the tissues. After five days of rest, active rehabilitation begins. Given that rest is such a crucial factor in recovery, crutches may be necessary for long distance travel. For short distances, crutches are unnecessary, however, use of crutches during travel may prevent worsening the grade of the strain.