Pulling your muscle, some questions... (2 Viewers)

[Omie Jay]

I have a tendency to pull my thigh muscle (below the ass, behind the quads), and it pulls really easily, which gets annoying.

Whenever i tried doing that leg machine at the gym where you lie down on ur belly and pull the weight thingo with your feet, i pull the muscle.

Sometimes it happens in my sleep too, im asleep in fetal position and it just pulls because my leg is bent like that, i'd wake up and straighten my leg to try to stop it from completely pulling, most of the time im not quick enough and it tenses up heaps, and i have to bend my leg or else it feels like the thigh will literally rip in half. It goes all rigid and im in excruciating pain for about 2-3 mins, then it takes another 4-5 mins for the pain to die down.

Question time:

Why does this happen?
How do i prevent this from happening?
How do i condition my leg from pulling this easily? (is this even possible?)

Also, any general tips for when you pull a muscle?

 

[quik.]

Are you talking about a pull or a cramp

Very different things

 

[yer8899]

water and stretching

 

[Omie Jay]

Are you talking about a pull or a cramp

Very different things

not sure, maybe both?

 

[Hagaren]

stretch when you get out of bed in the mornings and before you excercise.

 

[extensorindicis]

OJ: what you describe in your sleep is actually not a stretched muscle. It is a muscle spasm, as a consequence of an imbalance of amino acids. This stretching type feeling is like the muscle is contracting hard involantarily and it feels uncomfortable yes? Its the myosin filaments going nuts trying to contract and it is a result of this amino acid imbalance. This could be as a result of an electrolyte imbalance also. To rectify this issue your diet needs to be looked at. Proteins are made up of about 20 amino acids so im not sure but perhaps see a physio its virtually free if u have private health cover and no referals just walk in.

As for the gym pain thats simply a eccentric contraction - not enough force generated from the muscle = stretch = pain...

 

[quik.]

A cramp will feel like the muscle is having a spasm, they can be quite painful but personally I think they feel nice. They are caused by your golgi tendon organ having a brainfart and going psycho for a bit, stretching helps

Pulling a muscle is entirely different, it's basically tearing it. Sudden onset of pain, lack of range of motion, and it will last at least a few days if not a week plus, as it takes time to heal

I think you are just cramping, from what you have said

Also stretches before exercise have been shown to decrease performance for up to 20minutes, so either do them a while before you start or do a dynamic warm up as opposed to static stretches

 

[russs]

OJ: what you describe in your sleep is actually not a stretched muscle. It is a muscle spasm, as a consequence of an imbalance of amino acids. This stretching type feeling is like the muscle is contracting hard involantarily and it feels uncomfortable yes? Its the myosin filaments going nuts trying to contract and it is a result of this amino acid imbalance. This could be as a result of an electrolyte imbalance also. To rectify this issue your diet needs to be looked at. Proteins are made up of about 20 amino acids so im not sure but perhaps see a physio its virtually free if u have private health cover and no referals just walk in.

As for the gym pain thats simply a eccentric contraction - not enough force generated from the muscle = stretch = pain...

+1

I had these random contractions that caused some quad and calf problems (twitching). Had some eye and thumb twitches too. I had severe calf cramps in water as well.

I started a bunch of diet changes, including:

+ Berocca Tablets Daily
+ Zinc Tablets Daily
+ V Energy Drinks

And I haven't had anything like that since. I recommend you to try a diet change, adding Vitamin B Complex / Multivitamins / Salt & Electrolyte Drinks etc. Eventually you will probably find a solution.

 

[quik.]

Be quite interesting to hear how an amino acid imbalance first of all occurs in an average healthy male and then causes a muscle spasm, seeing how amino acids are one of the most tightly regulated values in the body and that muscle contractions are effected by action potentials and the release of Ca2?

Genuinely curious.

Electrolyte imbalance is more plausible but still in the 'ummm' range because unless he is severely dehydrated or some similar extreme state his values would be perfectly normal

 

[hopethisworks]

ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
most lol thead ever

 

[oobee007]

Could be something to do with a tight lower back as tightness in the lower back has an adverse affect on the leg muscles, especially glutes and hammies. Try stretching your back and legs.

 

[Omie Jay]

+1

I had these random contractions that caused some quad and calf problems (twitching). Had some eye and thumb twitches too. I had severe calf cramps in water as well.

yea i used to occasionally twitch in my shoulder/tricep, and lately my right eyelid randomly twitches, lol.

 

[Ryuu-jin-jakka]

twitches in the eyes, is never a good thing right :S

 

[Omie Jay]

 

[Oliver04]

Whenever i tried doing that leg machine at the gym where you lie down on ur belly and pull the weight thingo with your feet, i pull the muscle.

The 45 degree leg press is a piece of shit and long term will fuck your back. Don't touch it.

Sometimes it happens in my sleep too, im asleep in fetal position and it just pulls because my leg is bent like that, i'd wake up and straighten my leg to try to stop it from completely pulling, most of the time im not quick enough and it tenses up heaps, and i have to bend my leg or else it feels like the thigh will literally rip in half. It goes all rigid and im in excruciating pain for about 2-3 mins, then it takes another 4-5 mins for the pain to die down.

Its called 'pulling a muscle' it happens to a lot of athletes, it happens to me (I get it in my feet, I find it relaxing). Sounds like you're not very flexible, I always try to touch my toes before I do leg work. Are you warming up properly?

 

[quik.]

Pretty sure he was talking about the hamstring curl machine, not leg press

Also if you find a pulled muscle and loss of total muscle function and range of motion for at least a few days if not >7 relaxing, think there is something wrong with you haha

Fairly sure both you and omie are talking about cramps

 

[Omie Jay]

Its called 'pulling a muscle' it happens to a lot of athletes, it happens to me (I get it in my feet, I find it relaxing). Sounds like you're not very flexible, I always try to touch my toes before I do leg work. Are you warming up properly?

im severly unflexible in the legs.

Pretty sure he was talking about the hamstring curl machine, not leg press

Also if you find a pulled muscle and loss of total muscle function and range of motion for at least a few days if not >7 relaxing, think there is something wrong with you haha

Fairly sure both you and omie are talking about cramps

yea the hamstring thingo.

and no, quik! this is severly painful! like... when i get it while i sleep im usually curled up in a ball, then when it happens it just tightens and there's intense pain, i cannot straighten myleg or it feels like my hamstring will literally rip in half

 

[quik.]

Yes but afterwards you can use your leg etc correct?

You dont have a lack of range of motion etc for a week or so

It's a cramp ya big baby

 

[Omie Jay]

nah not for a week, but its sore for the rest of the day.

 

[Oliver04]

Pretty sure he was talking about the hamstring curl machine, not leg press

Worse.

Hamstrings don't work in isolation to the rest of the muscles in your legs. Why then work them in isolation then? because someone built a machine that lets you do so?

Only leg exercises I like are squats (low bar being the best, but olympic, front, partial and box squats are also good for experienced lifters).

There are others (trap bar deadlifts, lunges) but they're pretty specific.

I mean, Omie isn't going to fall forward and cark it next time he gets on a hamstring curl, but machines are a brilliant way to waste time.