Groin pain can be tricky to manage because it can have multiple causes and often occurs with hip pain. Due to the multiple factors and potential structures influencing groin pain, it can be difficult to know which path to go down in its management.

Assessment

The first step to managing groin pain involves identifying the associated impairments and categorising the type of groin pain – you can learn more on this in Andrea’s groin pain assessment Practical. Broadly speaking, groin pain can be categorised as one or more of the below five categories

1. Adductor-related groin pain

2. Inguinal-related groin pain

3. Iliopsoas-related groin pain

4. Pubic-related groin pain

5. Hip-related groin pain

After a thorough assessment, you can start the management process using strategies including:

Manual therapy

Whether your injury is new, or has been going on for a few months, then manual therapy may be required to desensitise tissues, allowing for greater range of motion and ability to perform rehabilitation movements. Stiffness in the lower back and hip is normal with groin pain, but can limit your progress.

Activation exercises

Due to high levels of pain and compensations, lifting weights or high impact movements may not be possible initially. The injured muscles and tendons in some cases can only perform low-force tasks. Activation exercises are useful in regaining the ability to produce force, and carry your bodyweight without pain.

Strength training

Once you are able to, we will introduce strength movements in a gym environment in order to build strength and power that was lost due to injury. This may entail just bodyweight, or heavier weights, dependent on your goals.

Plyometrics and return to sport training

Plyometric training is the ability to quickly absorb and produce force, such is seen in running, jumping, and changing direction on a sports-field. Introducing this plyometric training as well as sports-specific training, will accelerate your return to sports.

If you have any questions on whether physio is the best option for you, or you have any questions about MVMNT in general, feel free to contact via email.

- Jay Towolawi, Specialist Sports Physiotherapist and MVMNT Founder.