super tight muscles, only one side

worej

Hi, all,

I've been working out almost every day for a little over two weeks now. I would work out every so often before, but not nearly as much as I have been. So it's not like I went from being totally sedentary to trying to run a marathon or anything. Anyway, I've been averaging about 450 calories / 45 mins. on the elliptical, 4 out of 5 days. (Usually medium resistance, medium-high incline.)

I am experiencing a super tight muscle in the back of just one leg. Just in my right leg, there's something in the back of my thigh that's super tight. It's not as low as my knees, so I don't think it's my hamstring, and it's not as high as my bum, either. The only way I've found to stretch it effectively is to cross my right ankle over my left knee and pull my leg to my chest.

It isn't a sharp pain, like when I've sprained my ankle or something like that; it just feels like it's ridiculously tight. It starts to hurt if I sit in one place for too long, like on my 30-minute drive to work. I can kind of feel it when I'm working out but it's not really painful.

Suggestions? Does this sound like something I should just stretch a lot and work through, or do I need to rest it for a few days? Should I be doing a different exercise instead for a little while? Thanks!

worej

bump

Mrsnuffdog

I suffer a similar thing in my left leg. I went to see a osteopath in the end. It turned out one leg is slightly shorter than the other which was putting exrtra strain on it. After a couple days rest and the visit to him it went ok. I just have to make sure I stretch it out after training.

nutandbutter

If it is just a tight muscle that needs to be stretched, try foam rolling it. They sell them for about $20 at walmart or target. Just a warning, it will hurt at first. As it relaxes, it won't hurt as much.