Hamstring Tightness

Dry needling will be performed on two points over the hamstring muscles on the randomly determined side. Points 2 cm distal to the ischial tuberosity and halfway between the ischial tuberosity and popliteal crease within the medial and lateral muscle bellies will be identified and the skin cleansed with rubbing alcohol. A Seirin L- type 50 mm needle will be inserted into each of the two points to a depth no greater than three-quarters length of the needle into the hamstring muscle for 30 seconds using a vertical pistoning technique and then statically up to 10 minutes.

Sham dry needling will be performed on two points over the hamstring muscles on the randomly determined side. Points 2 cm distal to the ischial tuberosity and halfway between the ischial tuberosity and popliteal crease within the medial and lateral muscle bellies will be identified and the skin cleansed with rubbing alcohol. The plastic tube of a Seirin L- type 50 mm needle will be placed against the skin and the needle will be tapped once so that it is inserted subcutaneously no deeper than 5 mm for 30 seconds using a vertical pistoning technique and then statically up to 10 minutes in each location.

Blunt needle placement will be performed on two points over the hamstring muscles on the randomly determined side. Points 2 cm distal to the ischial tuberosity and halfway between the ischial tuberosity and popliteal crease within the medial and lateral muscle bellies will be identified and the skin cleansed with rubbing alcohol. A blunt needle handle is inserted into a plastic tube which will be placed over the identified points for 30 seconds and then for an additional 10 minutes each. The blunt needle handle only touches the skin without puncturing it.

Subjects will be instructed to stretch the back of their thighs, once a day for 3 repetitions, holding for 30 seconds each time performed bilaterally.