Noah Lyles’ Hamstring Injury: A Miami Neuromuscular Therapist’s View
2-minute read
Noah Lyles ended his 2026 track season early after what he described as a small hamstring strain and subsequent flare-ups, according to NBC Sports.
The hamstrings are a group of muscles at the back of the thigh. A strain occurs when a muscle is overstretched or torn and may also involve the tissue connecting muscle to bone.
But when hamstring pain appears, should treatment focus only on the sore spot?
A Root-Cause View of Hamstring Pain
As a neuromuscular therapist in Miami, Florida, I work with muscles and soft tissue using Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT). When evaluating a client with hamstring pain, I look beyond the hamstring for muscular imbalances that may contribute to overload. In my experience, the hamstring itself is not always the only factor.
Why I Look at the Core and Hips
The core includes muscles around the abdomen, spine, and pelvis that help stabilize the body during movement. The hip flexors help lift the leg and contribute to every running stride.
In my practice, I have seen clients improve when an individualized plan addresses the core and hip flexors as well as the injured area. Fatigue or weakness in these regions may change running mechanics and alter the demands placed on the hamstrings. This is a clinical perspective, and the right care varies by person.
Why Stretching Does Not Work.
Stretching may feel like the natural response to a tight hamstring, but tightness can be a protective response rather than the underlying problem. Stretching will not address the muscular imbalance or movement pattern contributing to repeated overload.
Through a detailed evaluation, MAT is used to identify and address muscles that are not contracting efficiently. The goal is to improve muscular function in the core/spine and hips.
Help for Hamstring Pain in Miami
At DiDonato Sports Labs, Rob DiDonato will evaluate the whole body to locate possible root causes of the pulled hamstring. I also consider each client’s goals, whether that means walking comfortably, returning to running, or improving athletic performance.
Experiencing hamstring pain? Contact DiDonato Sports Labs in Miami, Florida, to learn whether or not Muscle Activation Techniques may be appropriate for you.
Learn more about Muscle Activation Techniques: https://www.didonatosportslabs.com/muscle-activation-techniques
Sources:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/hamstring-muscle-injuries
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