Groin Pain

What is it?

Groin pain is a common discomfort, especially among active individuals and athletes who engage in running, changes of direction, or repetitive hip movements.

Although the pain is typically localized to a specific point, in most cases, the origin is multifactorial and can involve different structures of the pelvis, hip, and the kinetic chains involved in movement.

Most Common Symptoms

• Pain in the inguinal region.

• Discomfort when walking, running, or changing direction.

• Pain when lifting the leg.

• A feeling of tightness in the anterior aspect of the hip.

• Stiffness in the pelvis or hip.

• Decreased athletic performance.

• Pain during specific leg movements.

Why does it occur?

Groin pain can be related to various factors:

• Overload of the hip flexors.

• Quadriceps tension.

• Deficit in gluteal activation.

• Biomechanical alterations.

• Lack of pelvic stability.

• Sudden increase in training load.

• Compensations between different kinetic chains.

The Importance of the Pelvis and Gluteal Muscles

The inguinal region acts as a connecting point between the torso and the legs. When the gluteal muscles do not properly stabilize the pelvis, or when the hip flexors are overworked, the load on the groin increases, leading to compensations that promote pain.

Therefore, treatment does not focus solely on the painful area, but on identifying which structures are causing the overload and restoring more efficient movement patterns.

Therapeutic Approach

Treatment is tailored to the needs of each patient and may combine different techniques:

• Manual therapy.

• Dry needling, when indicated.

• Percutaneous Therapeutic Electrolysis (EPTE), when indicated.

• Neuromodulation.

• Radiofrequency therapy as an adjunct treatment.

• Therapeutic exercise.

• Movement re-education and load management.

Treatment Goals

• Reduce pain.

• Restore mobility.

• Improve pelvic and hip stability.

• Optimize muscle function.

• Facilitate a safe return to physical activity.

• Reduce the risk of recurrence.