Physical Therapy For Groin Pain

When you feel pain in your groin, it can be frustrating. There is not only the annoyance with feeling an everyday discomfort, but then there is also the challenge of treating the pain. Groin injuries can be very difficult to treat, but there are several ways to go about the recovery process.
About Groin Injuries
The groin area is located between the knee and the hip on the inner thigh. Groin injuries are diagnosed as Grade 1, 2, or 3, with 1 being mild and 3 being the most severe.
Anyone can get a groin injury, but athletes are most at risk because of the sudden movements (such as cutting, shifting, changing motions, jumping, running, etc.) made while participating in their sport. While they don’t typically result in the end of a sporting career, groin injuries can be serious and take quite a while to heal. Going back to rigorous movements too soon could lead to further aggravation of the injured area and could ultimately lead to longer healing time.
Healthline describes groin injuries as follows:
“It’s often caused by straining the adductor muscle while kicking, so it’s more common in the athlete’s dominant leg. It can also be caused by turning quickly while running, skating, or jumping. Movements that require your muscle to both lengthen and contract at the same time usually cause a groin strain. This puts stress on your muscle and can lead it to overstretch or tear.”
Healthline also explains that groin injuries can also occur when someone falls, lifts heavy objects, or when doing certain exercises such as resistance training.
How to Treat Groin Injuries
For pain relief, medical professionals will often recommend Ibuprofen for its anti-inflammatory effects. Also recommended is one of the most common forms of treatment for muscle injuries, which is the R.I.C.E method.
• R – Rest
• I – Ice
• C – Compression
• E – Elevate
Resting the injured area will typically occur by using the groin area as little as possible. Icing the area will reduce swelling, while compression on the injured area will both reduce swelling and provide support. Elevating the injured area can also reduce swelling, but R.I.C.E can be challenging to implement when it comes to groin areas, primarily because of the location of the pain. For this reason, many people opt for physical therapy to treat their groin injury.
Physical Therapy in Miami for Groin Pain
Physical therapy will begin with an overall assessment of your groin pain. Your physical therapist will inquire about your injury, what you were doing when you felt it, and if you heard a “pop” sound when the injury occurred (which usually means a muscle has been torn). Your physical therapy plan will be carefully constructed, as physical activity can prolong healing time and further aggravate the injured area.
Your physical therapist will design a customized program around strategic stretching and strength building to ensure that the groin injury heals fully and properly.
If you are suffering from groin pain, we can help. Call us at Physical Therapy Now to schedule your first appointment at (800) 481-4582.