Groin pain is common in running, kicking and change-of-direction sports. It can be persistent, difficult to diagnose and quick to return without the right rehabilitation. At Applied Motion, we identify what is contributing to your pain and build a clear plan to restore strength, movement and confidence for your sport.
What is athletic groin pain?
Athletic groin pain may be felt through the inner thigh, lower abdomen, front of the hip or pubic region. It can develop suddenly during sprinting or kicking, or gradually as training demands increase. Because several muscles, tendons and joints overlap in this area, groin pain is often influenced by more than one structure. We use the internationally recognised Doha Classification to help identify the main source of your symptoms.
Common types of groin pain
Adductor-related
Pain through the inner thigh, commonly aggravated by squeezing the legs together, sprinting, kicking or changing direction
Iliopsoas-related
Pain at the front of the hip or deep in the groin, often aggravated by running, kicking or lifting the knee.
Inguinal-related
Pain through the lower abdomen or inguinal region, which may worsen with coughing, sneezing, abdominal exercises or sporting movements.
Pubic-related
Pain and tenderness around the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis.
Hip-related
Deep groin pain associated with the hip joint, sometimes accompanied by stiffness, clicking, catching or restricted movement.
Common symptoms
You may experience:
- Inner-thigh, groin, hip or lower-abdominal pain
- Pain with sprinting, kicking or changing direction
- Discomfort when squeezing the legs together
- Stiffness through the groin or hip
- Pain when accelerating or getting out of a car
- Hip clicking, catching or restricted movement
- Symptoms that settle with rest but return during sport
Why groin pain develops
Common contributing factors include:
- Sudden increases in training or competition load
- Repeated sprinting, kicking and change of direction
- Reduced adductor, hip or trunk strength
- Limited hip movement or control
- Inadequate preparation for sporting demands
- A previous groin injury
Understanding why the problem developed is an important part of preventing it from returning.
How we assess groin pain
Your assessment may include:
- A detailed review of your symptoms, sport and training load
- Identification of the exact location of your pain
- Adductor, hip and trunk strength testing
- Assessment of hip movement and joint function
- Screening of the pelvis, lower back and abdominal wall
- Sport-specific movement testing
- Advice on whether imaging or medical review is required
Our goal is to identify both the painful structure and the underlying factors contributing to the injury.
What to expect
Our rehabilitation approach
Rest alone rarely prepares an athlete to return safely. Rehabilitation needs to rebuild the strength and
capacity required for sport.
Step 1
Assessment
We assess your symptoms, movement patterns and the specific demands of your sport, so your rehabilitation plan is built around what you actually need.
Step 1
Manage symptoms and training load
We modify aggravating activities and adjust your training load, while keeping you as active as possible throughout your recovery.
Step 2
Progressive strengthening
We rebuild strength through the adductors, hips and trunk using a gradually progressed programme tailored to your goals.
Step 3
Movement and control
We address any movement, mobility or control issues that may be contributing to your ongoing symptoms.
Step 4
Sport-specific rehabilitation
Running, sprinting, kicking and change of direction are reintroduced progressively, preparing your body for training and competition.
Step 6
Return-to-sport testing
We do not base your return on pain alone, assessing strength, movement and tolerance to full training before you compete again.
We do not base your return on pain alone. Before you return to competition, we assess adductor and hip strength, strength differences between sides, change-of-direction ability, running and sport-specific drills, and your tolerance to full training. Clear testing targets take the guesswork out of your return and give you confidence that you are ready.
Why choose Applied Motion?
- Accurate assessment using a recognised groin-pain framework
- Progressive, evidence-based rehabilitation
- Objective strength and return-to-sport testing
- Experience in sports physiotherapy and strength and conditioning
- Rehabilitation tailored to your sport and performance goals
- A focus on reducing recurrence, not simply settling symptoms
Prefer to speak with us? Call 08 9284 0736.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rest my groin injury?
A short period of activity modification may help, but rest alone rarely solves the underlying issue. Progressive strengthening and graded sporting exposure are usually needed for a lasting recovery.
How long does groin rehabilitation take?
Recovery depends on the type of injury, how long symptoms have been present and the demands of your sport. We use clear progressions and testing criteria rather than relying on a fixed timeframe.
Do I need a scan?
Not always. Many cases can be diagnosed through a thorough clinical assessment. We will recommend imaging when it is likely to change your treatment or management.
Can groin pain return?
Yes, particularly when athletes return before rebuilding sufficient strength and capacity. Ongoing adductor and hip strengthening, sensible load management and sport-specific conditioning can reduce this risk.