Groin pain is discomfort that occurs in the crease where the abdomen meets the thigh. While this pain can be limiting, it is often related to issues within the musculoskeletal system rather than serious injuries. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, conservative approach that focuses on the mechanics of the joints, muscles, and nervous system. This care is a suitable option when the source of groin discomfort is biomechanical. A chiropractor aims to identify the origin of the pain and restore normal function if it falls within their scope of practice.
Understanding the Musculoskeletal Sources of Groin Pain
The groin area is home to a complex network of muscles, tendons, and joints, meaning pain in this region can arise from several different mechanical sources. Chiropractors primarily focus on conditions stemming from the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the lower back, pelvis, and hip. One of the most common causes is an adductor muscle strain, often called a groin pull, involving injury to the inner thigh muscles used to bring the legs together. This type of strain frequently occurs during sudden movements in sports that involve kicking, running, or changing direction.
Pain felt in the groin may also be referred from a problem located elsewhere in the body. Dysfunction in the sacroiliac (SI) joint, which connects the base of the spine to the pelvis, can radiate discomfort into the groin area. Misalignment or reduced mobility in the hip joint itself can place undue stress on the surrounding soft tissues, leading to symptoms that manifest as groin pain. Hip flexor strains, involving muscles like the iliopsoas, are another common musculoskeletal issue localized to the front of the hip and groin. Groin pain can also result from conditions requiring different medical approaches, such as hernias, kidney stones, or certain reproductive issues.
The Chiropractic Evaluation and Screening Process
A detailed evaluation determines if groin pain is appropriate for chiropractic care. This process begins with a thorough patient history, where the practitioner asks about the mechanism of injury and the exact location and quality of the pain. Understanding the patient’s physical activities and daily habits provides context for the potential cause of the problem.
The physical examination involves orthopedic tests designed to isolate the painful structure, along with an assessment of the patient’s range of motion and gait. The chiropractor will feel the muscles and joints of the lower back, pelvis, and hip to identify areas of tenderness, tension, or joint restriction. Muscle testing checks for weakness or imbalance in the adductors, hip flexors, or surrounding muscle groups.
A critical part of this initial screening is looking for “red flags,” which indicate non-musculoskeletal issues requiring immediate referral. The chiropractor screens for symptoms such as fever, unexplained weight loss, a visible and painful bulge in the groin, or sudden, severe testicular pain. If these non-musculoskeletal signs are present, the chiropractor refers the patient for appropriate medical evaluation.
Specific Chiropractic Treatment Approaches
Chiropractic treatment for musculoskeletal groin pain focuses on restoring proper function to the joints and soft tissues. A common approach involves spinal and pelvic adjustments, which are precise forces applied to restricted joints like the sacroiliac joint. These adjustments improve joint mobility and reduce nerve irritation that may refer pain into the groin. Realigning the pelvis also helps reduce asymmetrical stress on the adductor muscles and hip structures.
Soft tissue techniques are frequently employed to address injured muscles and tendons directly. Techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART) or instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) are used on strained adductors and hip flexors to reduce scar tissue and muscle tension. Myofascial release and targeted massage can further relax hypertonic muscles and promote the healing process.
Long-term management includes rehabilitation and exercise prescription. Chiropractors provide specific stretching and strengthening exercises to address underlying biomechanical issues and prevent recurrence. Exercises focus on improving core stability, strengthening hip abductor and adductor muscles, and correcting muscular imbalances that contributed to the initial injury.
Recognizing When Immediate Medical Attention is Necessary
While chiropractic care is effective for musculoskeletal groin pain, certain symptoms require immediate medical evaluation due to potential serious underlying conditions. Any sudden, severe pain accompanied by systemic symptoms, such as a high fever, chills, or unexplained nausea and vomiting, warrants an urgent visit to a medical doctor or emergency department. These signs may suggest an infection or an acute medical event.
Immediate medical attention is necessary if the patient experiences:
- A visible, painful, or tender bulge in the groin area that cannot be gently pushed back in, potentially indicating a strangulated hernia.
- Acute, one-sided testicular pain accompanied by swelling, which is a potential sign of testicular torsion.
- Groin pain resulting from severe trauma or that makes it impossible to bear weight on the leg, which could signify a fracture.
- Pain associated with blood in the urine, requiring evaluation to rule out issues like kidney stones.