Condition
High hamstring tendinopathy treatment in TorontoA deep ache at the sit bone when you sit, run uphill, or speed up?
High hamstring tendinopathy is irritation where the hamstring tendons attach to the sit bone. The first visit confirms that is the source, then the plan reduces what compresses the tendon and rebuilds the strength your running needs.
Book a visitWhat high hamstring tendinopathy is
High hamstring tendinopathy treatment in Toronto at Endura Chiropractic starts by confirming where the pain is coming from. The hamstring tendons attach to the sit bone (the ischial tuberosity) at the bottom of the pelvis. When they are loaded more than they can handle, or pressed against that bone for long periods, the attachment becomes painful and less tolerant of load.
It is most common in distance runners, especially with more hills or speed work, and in people who sit for long hours. A sudden injury with bruising and weakness is different: that can be a tendon tear, which needs prompt medical assessment.
Why it keeps coming back
Like other tendon problems, it is driven by load and compression. Hills, speed work, and long strides load the tendon hard. Sitting, and deep hamstring stretches, press it against the sit bone. Rest settles the pain, but it doesn’t build the tendon’s capacity, so the pain returns with the next block of hard running. Stretching often makes it worse.
How Endura approaches it
The first visit separates the tendon from the problems that can mimic it: lower-back or sciatic nerve pain, the hip joint, and hamstring muscle strains.
From there, the plan usually has three parts:
- Reduce compression. Sitting changes (a cushion, breaks, a different chair position) and pausing deep stretches.
- Rebuild tendon capacity. Loading starts with holds the tendon tolerates and progresses to heavier strength work, then to faster, running-specific loading.
- Adjust the running. Hills, speed work, and stride length are reduced first and brought back in steps.
Hands-on treatment and adjustments are used where they help with pain and movement, but the long-term change comes from the loading. Progress is retested at each visit, and if the picture doesn’t fit, Dr. Devon refers for imaging or a medical opinion.
For the wider running plan, see how Endura works with runners.
Sources
Short Answer
How Endura treats high hamstring tendinopathy
Endura Chiropractic treats high hamstring tendinopathy by first finding out why this specific pain pattern keeps showing up. Common drivers can include A jump in speed work, hills, or long runs, Long periods of sitting on the tendon, Deep hamstring stretches that compress the tendon against the bone, but Dr. Devon Savarimuthu, DC, CSCS confirms the likely source through history, physical tests, and movement screening. Assessment and treatment begin in the initial appointment when appropriate. Care may include chiropractic adjustments, hands-on treatment, corrective exercise, and changes to the positions or loads that keep aggravating the problem. Progress and visit frequency are reviewed; the plan continues, changes, steps down, or refers out when needed.
"Dr. Devon Savarimuthu, DC, CSCS, says: 'The first job is to find why the high hamstring tendinopathy keeps getting loaded. Once we know that, the treatment gets much simpler.'"
Reviewed By
Dr. Devon Savarimuthu, DC, CSCS
Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Endura Chiropractic. This page is written for patients comparing treatment options in Lawrence Park, North York, and nearby Toronto neighbourhoods.
How Endura Helps
Dr. Devon confirms the pain comes from the hamstring tendon and not the lower back, the sciatic nerve, the hip, or a hamstring muscle strain, then tests hamstring and glute strength and the positions that provoke it. The plan reduces compression, progresses tendon loading from isometric holds to heavier and faster work, and adjusts hills and speed sessions, with hands-on treatment where it helps, as part of a plan that is retested at each visit.
Common Questions
Is it a hamstring tendinopathy or sciatica?
They can feel similar, because the sciatic nerve runs right beside the hamstring tendon. Tendon pain is usually local to the sit bone and linked to sitting, hills, and speed. Nerve pain more often travels down the leg with tingling or numbness. The first visit tests both. See also [sciatica](/conditions/sciatica/).
Should I stretch my hamstrings?
Not deeply, at first. Stretches that fold forward with a straight leg press the tendon against the sit bone and often keep it irritated. Early rehab uses strengthening in positions that don't compress the tendon.
Can I keep running?
Usually, yes, with changes. Easy flat running is often tolerated while hills, speed work, and long strides are reduced. Pain that lingers into the next day, or sitting getting worse, means the load was too high.
How long does it take to settle?
High hamstring tendinopathy is often slow. Many runners see sitting and easy running improve over several weeks, but returning to full speed work usually takes a few months of consistent loading. Progress is retested so you can see whether it is working.
Do I need an MRI?
Not usually to start. It is diagnosed mainly from history and examination. Imaging is considered after a sudden injury with bruising or weakness, which can mean a tendon tear, if the picture doesn't fit, or if progress stalls.
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Quick Pain Assessment
Still trying to make sense of it?
Answer 8 quick questions and find out what's likely causing your high hamstring tendinopathy, and why what you've tried hasn't held.
Take the 8-question quiz →One-on-one, from the first visit
You leave knowing what is driving the pain, what you can keep doing, and how we'll build the strength that keeps it from coming back. No assistants, and no exercise sheet handed to you on the way out.