Groin injuries can be painful and debilitating, often affecting athletes and active individuals. While many people associate chiropractic care primarily with back and neck issues, it can also be an effective treatment option for groin injuries. So, let’s explore common groin injuries and how chiropractic care might help!
Common Groin Injuries
Groin injuries encompass a range of conditions that affect the area where the lower abdomen meets the upper thigh. These injuries can vary in severity and cause, but some are more prevalent than others, including the ones mentioned below.
Groin Strain
A groin strain occurs when the muscles in the inner thigh are stretched or torn. Athletes who participate in sports requiring quick direction changes or powerful leg movements are particularly susceptible. The main causes include sudden movements, overstretching, or repetitive stress on the groin muscles.
Symptoms typically involve sharp pain in the groin area, especially when bringing the legs together or raising the knee. Swelling and bruising may also appear, accompanied by weakness in the affected leg.
Osteitis Pubis
This condition involves inflammation of the pubic symphysis and surrounding muscle insertions. It’s common in athletes who engage in repetitive kicking, running, or rapid changes in direction. Osteitis pubis often develops gradually due to overuse and biomechanical imbalances.
Sufferers experience pain in the lower abdomen, groin, and sometimes the inner thigh. The discomfort usually worsens with activity and may persist even at rest.
Sports Hernia
Despite its name, a sports hernia isn’t a true hernia. It’s a strain or tear of any soft tissue in the lower abdomen or groin area. This injury frequently affects athletes in sports requiring sudden changes of direction or twisting movements.
Symptoms frequently include chronic groin pain that worsens with activity. Unlike a traditional hernia, there’s typically no visible bulge. Pain may radiate to the testicles in men or the inner thigh in both sexes.
Adductor Tendinopathy
Adductor tendinopathy involves degeneration of the tendons that connect the inner thigh muscles to the pelvis. It’s often caused by repetitive stress or overuse, particularly in sports like soccer, hockey, or horse riding.
Symptoms include gradual onset of groin pain, stiffness in the inner thigh, and pain that worsens with activity. The affected area may be tender to touch, and there might be weakness when bringing the legs together.
Can Chiropractic Care Alleviate Groin Injuries?
While many people associate chiropractic treatment primarily with spinal adjustments, its benefits extend far beyond the back and neck. Chiropractors take a holistic approach to treatment, recognizing that the body’s systems are interconnected.
When it comes to groin injuries, they focus not only on the immediate area of pain but also on how spinal misalignments might be contributing to the problem.
As per the principle of chiropractic care, the spine serves as the central support structure for the entire body. When it’s not properly aligned, it can create imbalances that affect other areas, including the groin. Misalignments in the lower back or pelvis can alter the mechanics of movement, placing undue stress on the groin muscles and surrounding structures.
Through spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to restore proper alignment and function to the spine and pelvis. This realignment can have a positive ripple effect throughout the body. For groin injuries, it can help in several ways:
- Improved biomechanics: By ensuring proper spinal and pelvic alignment, chiropractic care can help distribute forces more evenly throughout the body, reducing stress on the groin area.
- Enhanced nerve function: Spinal misalignments can interfere with nerve signals. Correcting these issues may improve nerve function, potentially reducing pain and promoting healing in the groin area.
- Increased range of motion: Chiropractic adjustments can help improve flexibility and range of motion in the spine and hips, which may alleviate tension in the groin muscles.
- Reduced compensation patterns: When we’re in pain, we often alter our movements to compensate. These altered patterns can lead to new problems. Chiropractic care aims to address the root cause, allowing for more natural, balanced movement.
How Long Does It Take for a Strained Groin to Heal?
The healing time for a groin strain can vary significantly depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s overall health and adherence to treatment. Mild strains might heal in as little as 2-4 weeks, while more severe injuries could take 6-8 weeks or even longer.
It’s important to note that rushing the healing process can lead to re-injury and prolonged recovery time. Proper care, including rest, appropriate exercises, and professional treatment, is crucial for optimal healing.
Curious about chiropractic care? The At Last Chiropractic team is here to help. With your Lithia chiropractor by your side, you can make a full recovery from injury and get back to the activities you know and love as soon and as safely as possible. Book your appointment today!
