Have you ever pulled a muscle? A pulled groin is a common injury among athletes but it can happen to anyone. Strains or pulls in the groin can make simple activities such as walking, lifting the knee, and moving the leg difficult and painful. To speed up the healing of a pulled groin, you may need physical therapy in Elwood. 

What Causes a Pulled Groin? 

A pulled groin is caused by putting too much stress on muscles in the groin causing them to be overstretched or torn. Sudden movements such as changing direction while running, kicking, or jumping usually trigger a groin strain. This is why it is most common for athletes to experience a groin strain. However, you can also pull your groin by falling, lifting heavy objects, or performing other types of exercises such as resistance training. 

Diagnosis

For physical therapy in Elwood to diagnose a groin strain they need to know how it happened and whether you have had a similar injury in the past. Next, they perform a physical examination that involves stretching the muscle to determine if there is any pain with that. Also in this examination, they will test the range of motion. Then, based on the amount of pain you feel they will evaluate the severity based on the three degrees.

• Grade 1: occurs when the muscle is overstretched or torn. However, only 5 percent of the muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. With a grade one strain you may be able to walk with no pain but to run, jump, kick, or stretch, you may experience pain. 
• Grade 2: a tear that damages a larger percentage of the muscle fibers causing pain strong enough to make walking difficult. 
• Grade 3: a tear that goes through most of the muscles or tendons. The pain is more sudden and severe at the time the injury happens. You may be able to feel a gap in the muscle and you may notice swelling and bruising. 

How to Treat a Pulled Groin 

Immediately after the injury, it is beneficial to reduce pain and swelling with treatment. For the first few days, the treatment is simply resting, icing, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, depending on the severity of the strain you may need physical therapy in Elwood. In the most severe cases, grade 3 strains, you may need surgery to repair the torn fibers. 

How Physical Therapy In Elwood Can Help

By attending physical therapy in Elwood, our therapists design a specific treatment program based on the severity of your injury. This treatment program is designed to speed up your recovery and get you strong enough to perform everyday activities again. Your plan will include treatments to: 

• Reduce Pain: physical therapists have technology, such as ice, heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, taping, massage therapy, and more. Each of these treatments will reduce pain and lessen the need for pain medication. 
• Improve Motion: physical therapists will choose activities that help restore movement in the legs and hips. 
• Improve Strength: physical therapists will choose exercises that will restore strength and agility. They will utilize weights, bands, cardio exercise equipment such as stationary bikes, and more. 
• Speed Recovery Time: our physical therapists are experts in movement so they are experienced in choosing the right treatment techniques and exercises that will help you heal and reach your goals faster than you would on your own. 
• Promote a Safe Return to Activities: you can collaborate with our physical therapists to discuss your recovery goals such as your return to your sport. Based on your specific goals, they will create a plan to help reach these specific goals in the fastest and safest way possible. For example, part of your treatment plan might include sport-specific drills.
• Prevent Future Reinjury: physical therapists can recommend home exercises to strengthen the muscles around your hip and upper leg to help prevent future re-injury. 
• Recovery After Surgery: if surgery is necessary, our physical therapists can help you restore motion and strength after the surgery. 

Contact Us: Physical Therapy In Elwood 

If you pulled your groin, you should schedule an appointment for physical therapy in Elwood at Island Sports Physical Therapy. Our team is committed to helping you return to your active lifestyle  after your groin injury. Contact us today to get connected with one of our physical therapists!