Physical Therapy for Groin Pain
Groin pain can be a real nuisance, but physical therapy can help. Not only does it reduce discomfort and muscle strength, but it also speeds healing time while helping protect against further injuries.
When playing sports such as ice hockey or soccer, it is essential to practice proper technique and stay fit. This includes wearing comfortable, reliable shoes, warming up before exercising, and maintaining an active core. With these tips in place, it should be easier for you to avoid grinning strains during competition.
Additionally, keep your legs and hips flexible to prevent groin strain. This can be accomplished through yoga, stretching exercises, and an overall regular workout regimen.
Your therapist can instruct you on the proper way to stretch and strengthen your leg, hip, and core muscles. They may also prescribe a home exercise program to help speed up recovery from a groin strain and prevent future injury.
After taking an extensive history, your physical therapist will perform a full examination of your leg – including the groin area. They’ll inquire about any pain you have, swelling levels and walking ability.
They will conduct a physical examination that includes moving your leg, addinguctor muscles, testing muscle strength and flexibility, as well as ordering an X-ray or MRI in some cases.
The physical therapist (PT) will examine your groin to make sure there are no fractures, dislocations or tears in muscle tissue. They’ll take a medical history and assess the severity of your strain – known as its grade of injury – from there.
Groin strains with mild tears or muscle damage (grade 1) are relatively common and usually have an easy recovery. Signs include muscle tightness or stiffness, bruising, and loss of strength.
Your physical therapist can suggest an at-home recovery program to reduce pain and expedite healing. This may include stretches and gentle strengthening exercises for the leg, hip, and core muscles.
Follow your therapist’s treatment plan and avoid activity that exacerbates pain. If it is necessary to resume an activity, do so gradually and avoid overexertion. Additionally, rest your leg as much as possible to reduce inflammation and minimize strain on it.
Your therapist may prescribe cold therapy or heat therapy to relieve pain and inflammation. They may also utilize TENS electric stimulation, taping to support the muscle, or hands-on manual therapy to relax tissue tension and spasms.
Your therapist should possess advanced clinical expertise in treating people with groin strains and other orthopedic or sports-related conditions. They must either be board-certified in physical therapy or hold a specialty certificate in orthopedic or sports rehabilitation. You can use the American Physical Therapy Association’s Find a PT tool to locate such professionals near you.