• Avoid NSAIDs or any medication that may cause muscle bleeding in first 24 hours
• Protect and rest the injured area
• Surgery, where appropriately indicated
• Intermittent ice to reduce swelling
• Compress and elevate injury to reduce swelling
• Physiotherapy modality principles:

• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Regain ROM

• Biokineticist:

• Improve strength and muscle size
• Sports-specific strengthening
• Resume functional activity after satisfactory rehabilitation

• Timeframes for rehabilitation and return to sport vary depending on the nature and severity of the strain.
• Generally Grade 1 hamstring strains require rest for about three weeks and Grade 2 injuries for between four to eight weeks. In the case of a complete rupture (Grade 3 strain), the muscle may require surgical repair and the rehabilitation to follow will take about three months.
• Premature return to sport and inadequate rehabilitation will increase the risk of re-injury. Full range of motion and strength should be achieved in addition to the ability to perform full speed training. Assessment of sport-related activities, such as twisting, jumping and changing direction suddenly should also be evaluated.

Hamstring strengthening ranges from initial ROM (range of motion) exercises to resistance training.

Both stretching and strengthening exercises are key.

After the initial acute stage, very gentle static stretching exercises can begin as long as one is pain-free.

As your injury heals, dynamic stretching involving movement is introduced and eventually progressing to sports-specific and plyometric drills.

Example of Hamstring resistance training using weights. Other resistance modalities include resistance band training.