Recovering from a groin strain

Groin strains may seem like minor injuries, but without proper treatment and care during recovery, they can prove debilitating, especially to frequent sports players who could be out of action for some considerable time.



If you play sports that require considerable lower leg movement, groin strains are a very real possibility, and you should be aware of the risks and preventive measures that can be taken to reduce your chances of stretching, tearing or rupturing your thigh muscles. While there is no sure-fire method for avoiding groin strains entirely, you will naturally improve your chances by keeping up with a healthy exercise and muscle-stretching regime, particularly adductor stretching and carrying out pelvic stabilisation exercises.



If you do receive a groin strain while out on the football pitch, hockey court or other environment, the severity of the injury will determine the best course of treatment. Any doctor will tell you that the most beneficial way you can help your recovery from a groin strain is to rest your leg, which certainly means avoiding sports and training until the muscle is fully healed. Gentle stretching of the muscle can also help its recovery, though care should be taken - if you feel pain, you should cease stretching immediately.

Applying ice and heat can both be effective ways of aiding recovery too. Ice can be especially useful during the acute phase of the injury, within the first 48 hours of it occurring, as it can help stimulate blood flow to the region. Conversely, heat should be applied before muscle stretching exercises, with ice being used after stretching has been completed.



Learning which medication to take is another important step, as you may not need any at all. However, anti-inflammatory medicines can relieve pain symptoms as well as reduce inflammation, meaning you could benefit from Ibuprofen, Aleve or Motrin. If you have a physical therapist, they can also guide you through your recovery from a groin strain, or you could investigate your healthcare options to consider the benefits of treatment such as therapeutic massages and ultrasound.



Not all groin strains are the same, and depending on the severity of your injury, you could find your recovery periods increase. The injuries can be classed as mild (or Grade 1), moderate (Grade 2) or severe (Grade 3), with the latter resulting in pain from any movement of the injured muscle. In these severe cases, symptoms and recovery can last for up to six to eight weeks, while moderate strains will usually have abated within two to three. If your groin strain is mild, you could look forward to being back on the playing field within a week.