Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Written by Dr Phillip Mifsud, Chiropractor & Exercise Physiologist and founder of Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty. Based on Dr Phil’s own video and clinical experience.
Watch the video
Groin Injury
Dr Phil explains this in under two minutes.
Who gets groin injuries?
Dr Phil sees two main groups: elite and young athletes (such as teenage gymnasts), and social sports players in their 30s who are still playing basketball, tennis or football. Groin injuries are common in any sport with jumping, landing, kicking or quick changes of direction.
How does a groin injury happen?
The groin (adductor) muscles are most vulnerable when they are bracing under tension while being stretched, for example when you land and your leg slides out, or when you lunge or push off sideways. That combination of lengthening and load is when the muscle strains or tears.
Strain or tear: why diagnosis matters
Having it properly diagnosed is important because the way it is treated and progressed affects how quickly you recover. On examination Dr Phil feels along the muscle up to where it attaches: a tender lump in the muscle usually indicates a strain, while a gap or hole you can feel suggests a tear. The treatment approach is similar, but a tear is more painful and slower to recover.
How are groin injuries treated?
Soft tissue work
For groin injuries, hands-on massage is the main tool. Dry needling is not used in this area because there are too many important blood vessels and nerves. Treatment works right up high into the groin, where the muscle attaches. It is uncomfortable, but it is what releases the injured area, and it needs an experienced practitioner.
A slowly structured return to sport
Early in his career Dr Phil admits he was sometimes too keen to get athletes back to their sport. Experience has taught him that the rebuild has to be slow and structured: gradually loading the muscle, then adding speed, change of direction and sport-specific movements. Rushing it is the most common reason groin injuries come back.
How long does a groin injury take to heal?
With the right treatment and a structured rehab plan, a groin strain should take no longer than about four to six weeks. Larger tears can take longer.
Who at Bodyline Health can help with groin strain?
Because Bodyline Health has several disciplines under one roof at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty, your care can be shared between practitioners who talk to each other.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor and Exercise Physiologist): diagnosis, soft tissue treatment and return-to-sport programming.
- Mary Fleming (Physiotherapist): progressive strength and rehab for athletes.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): soft tissue work for surrounding hip and thigh muscles.
When to seek urgent medical help
See a doctor promptly if groin pain comes with a swelling or bulge that appears when you cough or strain (possible hernia), testicular pain or swelling, fever, or if you cannot bear weight after an injury.
Further reading on groin strain: Groin pain or swelling (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
How do I know if I have strained or torn my groin?
A strain usually causes a tender, tight lump in the muscle; a tear may leave a gap you can feel and is more painful. A proper assessment is the best way to tell.
How long does a groin strain take to heal?
With the right treatment, most groin strains recover within about four to six weeks. Tears can take longer.
Is dry needling used for groin injuries?
Not in the groin itself, because of the important blood vessels and nerves in the area. Hands-on soft tissue work is used instead.
When can I go back to sport after a groin injury?
Once you can load the muscle without pain and have progressed through speed, change of direction and sport-specific drills. Returning too early is the most common cause of re-injury.
Do you treat young athletes?
Yes. We treat athletes of all ages, including teenagers in gymnastics and other sports, as well as social sports players.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
