How to prevent injury to your groin muscles

The inner thigh muscles are referred as groin muscles. These muscles help to stabilise the hip joint and pull the legs together when they contract.

Exercise, daily chores and physical activities such as sitting, squatting and bending can become a task when there is groin discomfort in this area. There are a number of reasons why such discomfort happens, therefore, is it important to understand the cause so that you can prevent it or be treated on time before getting involved in any physical activity or exercise.

What causes such discomfort?

The pain can develop if you overuse or over train such muscles without frequent breaks to relax them. When you push these muscles too hard, you strain them making it harder for them to coordinate effectively. Another cause is sprains (muscle pull). This happens when there is an accumulation of lactic acid on the said muscles due to insufficient oxygen supply causing them to pull and tense painfully

Other causes are not doing regular warm-ups before intense workouts or even sudden twist that affects the inner thigh.

Signs of severe groin discomfort

How to make sure you have a full stretch Before any physical activity, always make sure you have few minutes of full body warm ups and stretches to prepare your all muscles for the next intense action. This raises your body temperature and muscles in particular making them more resistant to injuries and discomforts. It also make your muscles more pliable and durable because oxygen supply will also be sufficient and well regulated. Make sure you have a full stretch for your lower body especially the thighs both inner and outer plus the hips. If you don’t know how to go about this, seek help from your trainer.

When it comes to lifting weights or doing any exercise that requires bending, make sure you bend with your knees at an angle of 90 degrees and not your waist. Not doing so will not only harm your groin but your knees and lower back too. You can try stretches too.

An example of this stretch is doing it while seated on the floor with one leg straight toe pointing up. Cross the other leg over the other knee and place your elbow and opposite arm on the outside of the bent knee. Pull slowly as you exhale holding it for a few seconds. Do it repeatedly also for the other side.

One thing though, if the pain is too much, make sure you have proper evaluation for further treatment.