From the Clinic

We hear this all the time:

“My hamstrings are always tight.”

But here’s the truth — in a lot of cases, the hamstrings aren’t really the problem.

What’s Really Going On

There are two common reasons it feels like hamstring tightness:

1. Nerve tension (especially the sciatic nerve)
   The sciatic nerve runs down the back of your leg, and when it’s irritated, it can feel exactly like a muscle stretch — especially if you feel it down into your calf.

2. Muscle guarding (your body’s protection system)
   Sometimes your nervous system tenses up to keep you safe after an old injury. It’s not real tightness — it’s protection.

Quick At-Home Tests

Heel-Elevated Toe Touch
Stand with your heels on a small book and reach for your toes.
If you go farther — that’s probably nerve tension, not muscle.

Fist-Squeeze Toe Touch
Squeeze your fists tight and bend forward.
If you move farther, that’s usually your nervous system relaxing.

If either of these help, you’ve likely been stretching something that isn’t really the issue — and that’s good news!

Takeaway

Sometimes we try to fix things without knowing what the actual problem is. If you've been trying to work on your hamstring tightness and not getting anywhere, it probably isn't just hamstring tightness that's the issue.

Want help figuring out what your body’s really trying to tell you?
We can help you move easier and feel better.

[Book an appointment here!]