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Can I still run with tight hamstring muscle?

6 replies

toadette · 09/09/2008 13:08

Did a long-ish (well for me anyway!) run at the weekend when I took part in 10k road race. Legs felt a little bit stiff yesterday but are fine today except for some tightness/mild pain in left hamstring. Would love to head out for a 3mile run but unsure if that's wise? Anyone got any advice.

Thanks

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misi · 09/09/2008 13:50

light exercise only, would not reccommend running that sort of distance, if your hamstring is tight it could be that you have damaged it slightly or the CPK levels after your 10km run have not subsided enough yet. if no swelling, lumps or bumps or discoloration of the area, then a gentle massage of the area would be very helpful, lots of water to flush out the CPK and other toxic metabolytes that have built up and a diet high in magnesium would be good too

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TrinityRhino · 09/09/2008 13:51

I wouldn't advise it either
if its tight you are more liable to maybe damage it in some way with the run

do some stretches. light exercise

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billyfish · 09/09/2008 13:58

massage, soak in bath no run for three days when run again, stretch for a least ten mins and then start walking and then jog and then run

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toadette · 10/09/2008 11:11

Thanks all for your advice, I didn't go out for the run after all. Did some stretches and might try a gentle run at end of week. Soak in the bath sounds good

Misi, if you get chance could you give me more information about CPK etc? I have just started running longer distances and hoping to train for half-marathon so would be great to have some more advice.

Thanks

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misi · 10/09/2008 15:24

cpk is the residue of cell usage.
creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
www.drmirkin.com/fitness/1346.html

basically, the fuel cells use to create energy when you exercise is burnt and like say coal, there is a residue. the older we get the more residue is created as cells burn less efficiently but also the harder we train/exercise or do more than we are used to results in a build up of CPK which ''clogs'' the system therefore not allowing proper ion and nutirnet exchange across the cell membrane, (if you leave coal ash in the grate, after a while you cannot light another fire as the ash is too great???)

the link above explains the difference between lactic acid build up and removal to CPK build up and removal.

very little is written about CPK for the layman and even less about its removal from the body.

personally I use MSM, methyl sulphonyl methane. I have hypothyroidism which oftens leads to increased levels of CPK. normal for a woman is around 140 and for a man 180. mine has been as high as 1100 but only as low as 280 over the last 5 years. MSM is a natural sulphur based nutrient, it is needed by the body for joint and muscle health. it is a constituent of joint tissue and can help to alleviate joint pain and is often taken with glucosamine by people with arthritis. MSM also appears to help remove toxic wastes like CPK. My endocrinologist and I did an 'experiment' a few years back. I took 3000mg of MSM for 6 months and my CPK levels plummetted from 927 to 280, after this blood test, I stopped taking MSM for 3 months and my CPK levels went back up to 690. my endo is still investigating this he says!! magnesium seems to help too, it is the relaxer compared to calciums constrictor so when you flex a muscle, calcium is used to contract and magnesium is then used to relax, by having a magnesium rich diet, this does appear to help toxic removal as well but not sure how but possibly by allowing more blood to the area and more blood means more ability to take more toxins away. more blood to a sore muscle also aids recovery by providing nutrients needed. strangely enough I reccommend MSM to people who quit smoking as it not only appears to reduce cravings but mainly helps the lungs recover by aiding toxin removal

I can't give any more detailed advice really as I am not allowed to by law, but if you think you will struggle somewhat with training then a sports nutritionist may be what you need. they can advise on ATP, ADP, creatine intake, protein etc etc etc.

I am not sure how many qualified herbalists on the books of the NIMH are sports trained, but it may be worth a look on their site www.NIMH.org.uk for your nearest herbalists and look out for what they are experienced and qualified in. if you don't see what you want, e mail NIMH direct and ask if they can reccommend someone in your area. alternatively www.nutripeople.co.uk/ don't know much about these even though one of my quals is in sports nutrition but maybe worth a look if NIMH does not produce!!

hope thats useful for you?

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toadette · 10/09/2008 17:19

Thanks, misi, for taking the time to post that information - very interesting!

Will read up more on MSM and also try to include magnesium-rich foods into my diet. I

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