Groin strains are an incredibly common injury, especially for athletes. These injuries generally affect the area of the inner thigh, or the front of your hip. If you’re a soccer player, hockey player, or dancer, you probably know the pain of such injuries well, as they are most common in sports that involve running, kicking, and an excess of leg movement. These injuries can be very painful, and take a bit of time to recover fully. It’s important to know how to judge severity, treat the pain, and avoid future issues. Consider this your guide to groin strains.
What is a groin strain?
A groin strain occurs when you over-stretch or tear the muscles in your inner thigh or near the front of your hip. There are three different levels of groin strain severity.
Level 1: Slight pain, but with retained movement of leg.
Level 2: Moderate pain with some loss of strength and mobility, and mild tissue damage.
Level 3: Severe pain caused by a complete muscle tear. Complete loss of strength and mobility.
The pain that goes along with a groin strain is especially painful because the simple task of walking will aggravate it. Merely moving your leg inward will likely result in shooting pain. You’ll also find yourself dealing with bruising, swelling, and spasms.
Treatment
The best way to start treating your groin strain is with rest. Spend several days allowing your groin muscle to recover, and apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes as need. Aspirin can manage your pain, and an elastic bandage can help reduce swelling. If the pain is severe, or you suspect serious damage, visit a doctor for further evaluation and a treatment plan.
Groin Strains and physical therapy
Physical therapists like the professionals at Life Fitness Physical Therapy are specialists in sports medicine. If you are dealing with a groin strain, they will evaluate the source of your pain and determine the specific cause of the strain. As you recover, physical therapy can help lessen your pain and increase your motion and strength. With treatment, a physical therapist can help you get back on the field or stage sooner. Even more importantly, they’ll offer techniques and advice to help you prevent future groin injuries.
Life Fitness Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help athletes recover from injuries with more ease and speed. At Life Fitness, we specialize in sports medicine, and can help you learn how to move with your physical health in mind so that you can avoid future injuries.
Schedule an appointment with Life Fitness Physical Therapy to start taking steps to a healthier life. Call 410-368-1026 or click here to schedule an appointment. You can also follow our Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Google+ accounts to keep up with us.
