Groin pain can have many causes, including a pulled muscle, hernia, or pinched nerve in the back. However, one of the most common causes of groin pain is actually hip pain that is “referred” to as the groin. This is because while we usually associate our hip with the outside of the hip bone, the hip joint is actually located deeper inside our body. Therefore, hip pain is often felt in the groin because of the way our nerves are organized.
You may be able to determine the cause of pain yourself by lying down on your back and rolling your leg in and out. If doing so causes pain in your groin, then you are probably dealing with pain referred from the hip.1 When experiencing such pain, it is recommended that you avoid any activities that would make it worse, lose weight if you are overweight, wear comfortable shoes, and avoid running downhill.
If your pain lasts for more than a week or if you think it is caused by an injury, see your Physical Therapist. They will likely evaluate you by putting your hip through a series of movements and special tests. If performing these motions/tests replicates the groin pain, then what you are feeling most likely originates in the hip. Your Physical Therapist will assess the exact cause of the pain, which can include a labral tear, strain, arthritis-bursitis, or hip impingement syndrome.
For most of these conditions, we can design a physical therapy regimen to strengthen the muscles around your hip so that they can better support your hip and keep it stable. In addition, strengthening these muscles can relieve pain and prevent future injury. Your Physical Therapist will also prescribe stretching exercises, especially adjuncts to the strengthening exercises, that will improve your flexibility and range of motion and avoid soreness.
Make an appointment with your Physical Therapist at Kintsugi Physical Therapy and Wellness to properly assess and treat your condition. As your treatment progresses, we will create an individualized Home Program to help you return to your daily functional and recreational activities safely with minimal pain.
References:
- What Causes Groin Pain?. (2021). Retrieved 14 October 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/groin-pain
