Groin Strain Physiotherapy & Myotherapy in Kilsyth

At Physio Elements, we provide evidence-based physiotherapy and myotherapy treatment for groin strains, helping patients reduce pain, restore strength, and safely return to sport, work, exercise, and daily activities.

Groin strains are a common injury affecting athletes and active individuals, particularly those involved in running, football, soccer, hockey, tennis, and sports requiring sudden changes of direction. Groin pain can develop suddenly during activity or gradually due to repetitive strain and overload.

Our team focuses on accurately diagnosing the source of your groin pain and developing an individualised treatment plan to support recovery and reduce the risk of future injury.

What is a Groin Strain?

A groin strain occurs when one of the muscles or tendons on the inside of the thigh becomes overstretched or injured.
The muscles most commonly involved include the adductor muscle group, which helps:

• Bring the leg towards the body
• Stabilise the pelvis
• Support walking and running
• Change direction during sport
• Generate power when kicking, sprinting, and jumping

Groin strains can range from mild muscle irritation to more significant muscle tears affecting strength and performance.

What Causes a Groin Strain?

Groin strains commonly occur when the muscles are exposed to sudden force or repetitive overload. Common causes include:

• Sprinting
• Kicking sports
• Sudden changes of direction
• Explosive acceleration
• Jumping and landing
• Muscle fatigue
• Reduced hip strength
• Poor pelvic stability
• Inadequate warm-up
• Reduced flexibility
• Previous groin injuries
• Sudden increases in training loads

Athletes participating in football, soccer, hockey, rugby, and athletics are particularly susceptible to groin injuries due to the demands placed on the adductor muscles.

What Are the Symptoms of a Groin Strain?

Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury.
Common symptoms include:

• Pain in the groin region
• Pain on the inside of the thigh
• Sharp pain during activity
• Tenderness through the groin muscles
• Pain when squeezing the legs together
• Pain during running or sprinting
• Difficulty changing direction
• Reduced strength
• Muscle tightness
• Swelling or bruising in more severe injuries

Symptoms often worsen with activities that place increased load on the groin muscles.

Why Does My Groin Hurt When Running?

Running places significant demand on the muscles responsible for stabilising the pelvis and controlling leg movement.
If the groin muscles become overloaded, weak, fatigued, or injured, pain may develop during:

• Running
• Sprinting
• Accelerating
• Decelerating
• Changing direction

A thorough assessment can help determine whether your symptoms are related to a groin strain or another condition affecting the hip, pelvis, or lower back.

How Do We Diagnose a Groin Strain?

Groin pain can have multiple causes, including muscle strains, tendon injuries, hip joint conditions, sports hernias, and referred pain from surrounding structures.

During your assessment, we may evaluate:

• Hip mobility
• Groin muscle strength
• Pelvic stability
• Walking and running mechanics
• Functional movement patterns
• Sporting demands
• Previous injury history
• Lower back involvement

Accurate diagnosis is important to ensure the most effective treatment and rehabilitation plan.

Physiotherapy for Groin Strains

Physiotherapy focuses on reducing pain, restoring strength, and helping patients safely return to activity.
Treatment may include:

• Comprehensive assessment
• Exercise rehabilitation
• Progressive strengthening programs
• Hip and pelvic stability training
• Load management strategies
• Running assessments
• Mobility exercises
• Dry needling
• Soft tissue techniques
• Return-to-sport rehabilitation
• Education and injury prevention strategies

Treatment aims to address both the injury and any contributing factors that may increase recurrence risk.

Myotherapy for Groin Strains

Myotherapy can help improve muscle function and reduce muscular tension surrounding the hip, pelvis, and groin.
Treatment may include:

• Soft tissue massage
• Trigger point therapy
• Dry needling
• Myofascial release
• Cupping therapy
• Muscle release techniques
• Stretching strategies
• Mobility work
• Postural assessment

Myotherapy is often used alongside rehabilitation exercises to support recovery and movement quality.

How Long Does a Groin Strain Take to Heal?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the strain and the individual’s activity demands.
Factors influencing recovery may include:

• Extent of muscle injury
• Activity levels
• Rehabilitation adherence
• Previous injuries
• Strength and conditioning levels

Early diagnosis and appropriate rehabilitation can help improve recovery outcomes and reduce recurrence risk.

Can Exercise Help a Groin Strain?

Yes. Exercise rehabilitation is one of the most important components of treatment.
Appropriate exercises can help:

• Restore strength
• Improve flexibility
• Improve pelvic stability
• Improve movement patterns
• Reduce pain
• Improve sporting performance
• Support return to activity
• Reduce recurrence risk

Exercise programs should be individualised and progressed according to symptoms and functional goals.

Groin Strains in Athletes & Active Individuals

Groin strains are particularly common among:

• Footballers
• Soccer players
• Hockey players
• Rugby players
• Runners
• Sprinters
• Tennis players
• Basketball players

These sports place significant demands on the adductor muscles through kicking, sprinting, jumping, and rapid directional changes. Our team works closely with athletes and active individuals to help them return to training and competition safely.

When Should You Seek Treatment?

You should consider professional assessment if you experience:

• Persistent groin pain
• Pain during sport
• Difficulty running
• Reduced strength
• Ongoing muscle tightness
• Pain when changing direction
• Recurrent groin injuries
• Symptoms affecting performance
• Difficulty exercising
• Symptoms that are worsening

Early treatment may help prevent prolonged symptoms and recurring injury.

What Can I Do at Home for a Groin Strain?

Helpful self-management strategies may include:

• Relative rest from aggravating activities
• Gradual return to movement
• Following prescribed strengthening exercises
• Maintaining appropriate activity levels
• Managing training loads
• Improving hip and pelvic strength
• Avoiding sudden increases in exercise
• Gradually returning to sport-specific activities

The most appropriate approach will depend on the severity of the injury and your individual goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Groin Strain Treatment in Kilsyth

At Physio Elements, we provide personalised physiotherapy and myotherapy treatment for groin strains, helping patients recover from injury, improve strength, restore movement, and return to sport, work, and daily activities.

We regularly assist patients from Kilsyth, Kilsyth South, Mooroolbark, Montrose, Croydon, Ringwood, Lilydale, Bayswater, and surrounding suburbs seeking effective treatment for groin injuries and hip-related pain.

Whether your symptoms are recent or ongoing, our team can help guide your recovery with evidence-based assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation.

This page has been reviewed by Nisha Monte Cruz, Physiotherapist at Physio Elements, Kilsyth. Master of Physiotherapy (Orthopaedics, Sports & Manual Therapy), University of South Australia.