As the crisp, coastal breeze drifts in from the sea and the hills around Ballina start to glow with golden light, many of us feel that urge to get moving again. Whether it’s heading out for a walk, hopping back into a running routine, or dusting off the bike for a scenic spin, the change in season brings a renewed energy.

But for some, that first stretch, stride, or jog brings with it something a little less welcome—a sharp tug deep in the back of the thigh. That nagging ache that’s been hanging around for months, showing up every time you sit for too long or try to pick up the pace.

At ARC Rehabilitation & Pilates, we see it all too often. A client comes in thinking they’ve got a “tight hamstring” or a “tendon strain that won’t go away.” But in reality? It’s not always that straightforward.

That stubborn hamstring pain you’ve been carrying around may not just be a tendon issue—it could be a deeper problem, one tied into how your entire body moves, loads, and supports itself.

We often hear the same story: “I’ve been stretching it for weeks.” “It’s fine for a while, then flares up after sitting at the office or during a long drive.” “I foam roll it, ice it, rest it… nothing seems to work.” And that’s because chronic hamstring pain isn’t always about the muscle itself.

Sometimes it’s the tendon—yes. But other times, it’s the sciatic nerve, lower back referral, pelvic instability, or a movement compensation that’s quietly been building up. And the truth is, stretching alone won’t fix it.

Just like how a gardener knows to look at the soil, the sunlight, and the roots—not just the leaves—when something’s off in the garden, we look at the bigger picture when it comes to chronic hamstring issues.

We often find that tight hamstrings are a symptom, not the cause. Maybe the glutes aren’t firing well, maybe the core isn’t supporting your pelvis, or maybe your posture while sitting or walking is off-kilter just enough to keep aggravating the area.

So, what can you do?

At ARC, we start with a proper Initial Consultation—a full-body look at how you move, stand, bend, and load. We don’t just poke at the pain; we investigate the story behind it. That includes testing how your pelvis moves, how your spine holds up during activity, and whether your nervous system might be contributing to the discomfort.

Once we’ve got the full picture, we create a plan that’s tailored to you—because what worked for someone else’s hamstring pain might not be the answer for yours.

This might include hands-on treatment to calm things down, specific strengthening exercises, and—our personal favourite—Reformer Pilates to restore proper control, mobility, and support to your hips, glutes, and spine.

Pilates is particularly powerful here because it helps you relearn how to move efficiently without hammering the injured area. Think of it like tending to a tired patch of grass—not by mowing more, but by watering, nourishing, and letting it rebuild from the ground up.

So, if your hamstring has been tight, sore, or cranky for longer than a few weeks, it’s worth asking: Is it really a tendon issue… or is it something more?

Let us help you find the real cause—and fix it properly.

📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 0861763809