CALL US TODAY

331-253-2426

RecoverRx Performance and Recovery Blog

Groin Muscle Strain? Why Rest Isn’t Enough

You rest, wait, and hope the pain fades. But the truth is, rest alone doesn’t heal a groin muscle strain.

That nagging ache or sharp pull needs more than time off. Without targeted movement, scar tissue builds, muscles weaken, and you end up stuck in a cycle of pain.

If you’ve been babying your groin muscle and still can’t walk or twist comfortably, you’re not alone. This injury often lingers not because it’s serious—but because it’s misunderstood.

Let’s talk about what actually helps a strained groin muscle recover:

  • Active recovery that rebuilds strength and flexibility
  • Gentle mobility work to restore range
  • Therapy that targets the exact structures involved

You can absolutely get back to full strength. But you need a plan, not just patience.

groin muscle

Managing Groin Strains with Physical Therapy

Groin strains can stop you in your tracks—literally. Whether it happens during a pick-up soccer game at Oak Brook Park District or in a training session leading up to the Chicago Triathlon, groin pain is a red flag that your body needs more than rest.

We use sports physical therapy to not only treat the immediate strain but also reduce the risk of future injury.

Understanding What You’re Dealing With

The groin area involves six adductor muscles that connect the pelvis to the inner thigh. These muscles stabilize your hip joint and power quick lateral movement.

Groin strains happen when:

  • You sprint, pivot, or stretch too far during activity
  • The adductor or hip flexor muscles aren’t properly warmed up
  • Core stability is weak, causing overload in the groin muscles

Symptoms include:

  • Sudden pain in the groin or inner thigh
  • Swelling or bruising near the pelvis
  • Trouble walking or crossing your legs
  • Sharp or intense pain when you contract the adductors

An accurate diagnosis matters. Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs may be needed to rule out a tear, fracture, or sports hernia.

Groin pain doesn’t have to linger. With the right approach, you can move better than before and stay ahead of future injury.

Request an appointment at RecoverRx Physical Therapy by calling 331-253-2426. Let’s get you back to the sport and lifestyle you love.

groin muscle

Why Rest Isn’t Enough

Rest is a starting point, not a solution. Without targeted rehab, scar tissue can stiffen the injured muscle and limit movement.

Sports physical therapy helps you:

  • Improve blood flow and reduce fluid buildup
  • Restore flexibility in the hip flexors and adductors
  • Strengthen surrounding muscles like the glutes and abdominal muscles
  • Retrain your body for symmetry and control

For severe cases or partial tears, delaying treatment increases the risk of further injury. Mild strains heal faster with a structured plan. Severe strains require more precise loading strategies to protect the musculotendinous junction.

Active Recovery You Can Trust

We guide athletes of all levels through phase-based recovery. In the early phase, we manage inflammation and protect the injured area with gentle movement and isometric contractions.

As healing progresses, we add:

  • Dynamic stretches for the hip adductors and inner thigh
  • Strength training for the core, glutes, and hip stabilizers
  • Agility drills that mimic your sport’s patterns

Whether you’re prepping for the Turkey Trot in Naperville or gearing up for spring soccer leagues in DuPage County, your rehab should reflect your sport’s demands.

runner

Preventing the Next Setback

Once you’re pain-free, your body still isn’t ready to play sports at full speed unless we’ve addressed what caused the strain. That’s why we test for:

  • Hip mobility and strength asymmetries
  • Core engagement during movement
  • Stability through the pelvis under stress

By rebuilding the injured muscle and restoring control across the lower body, you lower the chance of another strain. You also reduce your risk for other conditions like hip labral tears or tendon overuse.

Groin pain can feel sharp, frustrating, or even defeating. But when we treat it like a performance issue—not just an injury—you recover stronger and smarter.

Let’s get you back to what you love, without fear of pain or re-injury.

Find Answers With RecoverRx Performance Physical Therapy

At RecoverRx PT, we focus on real results that help you move better, feel stronger, and return to your sport with confidence.

Whether your groin strain started with a hard sprint or crept in over time, we build a plan that gets you out of pain and back into motion.

Personalized, Sport-Specific Care

We don’t believe in generic rehab plans. Your injury, goals, and sport all shape your treatment.

We start with:

  • A full-body assessment that identifies how your core, hips, and adductors work together
  • A clear diagnosis using movement screens and, when needed, referrals for imaging
  • A discussion about your sport, training load, and how your symptoms affect daily life

From there, we design a path forward that matches the intensity of your sport and your timeline for return.

Hands-On Techniques With a Purpose

Every session includes skilled interventions that target the injured muscle and surrounding areas. We combine manual therapy with guided exercise to ease pain and restore movement.

Our treatment options may include:

  • Dry needling to release deep muscle tension
  • Soft tissue mobilization to improve blood flow and reduce swelling
  • Joint mobilization to address stiffness in the hip or pelvis
  • Core and hip strengthening to build stability and power

Each step is focused on performance, not just healing. If you’re a runner, lifter, or team athlete, your rehab reflects that.

runners

Your Comeback, Rebuilt with Confidence

You’re not just rehabbing an injured muscle. You’re rebuilding your ability to move with strength, trust, and control.

Our performance PT team helps you:

  • Retrain patterns that protect against reinjury
  • Build strength in the six groin muscles and surrounding stabilizers
  • Improve coordination between your core and legs
  • Return to sport with drills that match your demands

Groin pain doesn’t have to linger. With the right approach, you can move better than before and stay ahead of future injury.

Request an appointment at RecoverRx Physical Therapy by calling 331-253-2426. Let’s get you back to the sport and lifestyle you love.

author avatar
RecoverRx PT Staff

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AUTHORS

Dr. Luke Greenwell, Dr. Sarah Greenwell, Dr. David Bokermann, Dr. Katie Hillen, Penelope Reyes, B.A, M.S., and Dr. Megan Jensen are Performance Based Physical Therapists with extensive backgrounds in optimizing movement, performance, & recovery.

RecoverRx

We help Athletes and Active Adults Recover from Pain and Injury, Rebuild Functional Movement Patterns, and Redefine their Future Performance,  for a Return to the Sports and Activities they Love

Check Out Our Other Blogs