How to Treat a Groin Strain
Groin strains can refer to a number of types of injuries in one or more of a multitude of muscles on the inside of your upper leg or front of your hip. Sports Injury Bulletin explains that many of these muscles are responsible for hip adduction--moving your leg toward your body's center line 1. Your groin muscles also help stabilize your hips during athletic movement. Each groin strain is different and you should consult a sports medicine specialist if your injury causes significant pain or does not improve with rest 12. For mild groin strains, follow a few basic treatment steps.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Stop exercising as soon as you notice discomfort to minimize the damage to your injured muscle.
Take an anti-inflammatory medicine to help reduce pain and swelling.
Ice the painful area with an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this three times a day for three days.
Wrap a fabric bandage around the injured area to compress the area and reduce swelling.
Elevate your leg above your heart to help keep inflammation to a minimum.
Refrain from athletic-related activities for as long as the area is painful.
After three days of cold treatments, apply a hot pack for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this three times a day for three days.
Exercise easily once you no longer have pain in the injured area.
Tips
If the pain has not subsided within a week, seek further medical assistance.
Warnings
Groin strains can be caused by a variety of factors, including overuse, lack of proper warm-up, or too sudden of a movement.
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