Groin Strain (Groin Pull): Symptoms, Causes, and How Physiotherapy Can Help

Reviewed by the Physiotherapy Team at Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre 

What Is a Groin Strain? 

A groin strain usually involves an injury to one or more of the adductor muscles, which are located along the inside of the thigh. These muscles help bring your leg toward the midline of your body and contribute to stability and control during activities such as running, jumping, and changing direction. 

Groin strains are particularly common in sports that involve sprinting, kicking, rapid changes of direction, or sudden stretching of the hip. Soccer, hockey, football, basketball, and other field and court sports can place significant demands on the adductor muscles.  It is important to remember that not all groin pain is caused by a muscle strain. Groin symptoms can also come from the hip joint, iliopsoas, pubic region, or other structures, which is why an accurate assessment is important when symptoms persist.

What Causes a Groin Strain? 

A groin strain can occur when the adductor muscles are exposed to a force or workload that exceeds their current capacity. This may happen suddenly during a sprint, change of direction, kick, or jump, or develop gradually with repetitive activity. Risk factors include: 

• Sudden increases in training or sports activity 

• Sprinting or rapid changes in direction 

• Kicking or explosive movements 

• Previous groin or lower-body injuries 

• Reduced adductor or hip muscle strength 

• Returning to sport before fully rebuilding strength and capacity 

• Repetitive loading without enough recovery 

  
  

What Are the Symptoms of a Groin Strain? 

• Pain along the inner thigh or groin 

• Pain when squeezing the legs together 

• Pain with running, sprinting, kicking, or changing direction 

• Tenderness over the affected muscle 

• Weakness or reduced strength 

• Swelling or bruising  

• Difficulty walking or participating in sports 

  
  

How Can Physiotherapy Help a Groin Strain? 

Rather than simply resting until the pain disappears, rehabilitation focuses on gradually restoring strength and the ability of the groin muscles to tolerate the demands of your activities. 

Progressive Strengthening 

Exercises may target the adductors, hips, core, and surrounding muscles like: 

• Isometric adductor exercises 

• Resistance-band or cable hip adduction 

• Squats and lunges 

• Single-leg strengthening 

• Core and hip stability exercises 

• Sport-specific strengthening 

  
  

Mobility and Movement Training 

Your physiotherapist may assess hip and lower-body mobility and address movement limitations that could affect your ability to perform daily activities or sport. 

As rehabilitation progresses, exercises can become more dynamic and may incorporate running, jumping, cutting, kicking, or other movements specific to your sport. 

Activity Modification 

Complete rest is not always necessary. Your physiotherapist can help determine which activities are appropriate during each stage of recovery and how to gradually increase your training load without excessively aggravating your symptoms. 

When Should You See a Physiotherapist? 

• Persistent groin or inner-thigh pain 

• Pain that returns when you resume sport 

• Difficulty running, jumping, kicking, or changing direction 

• Reduced hip or leg strength 

• A previous groin injury that keeps recurring 

• Difficulty returning to your usual activities 

  
  

A physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether your symptoms are consistent with an adductor strain or whether another source of groin pain may need to be considered. 

Looking for Groin Strain Physiotherapy in Waterloo? 

Whether you injured your groin playing sports or developed pain gradually, getting the right diagnosis and rehabilitation plan can help you return to activity safely. 

At Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre, our physiotherapists provide individualized treatment focused on reducing pain, restoring strength and movement, and helping you safely return to work, exercise, and sport.