Groin Pain: The Low Back, Hips, and Pelvic Floor

In addition to neck pain and back pain, patients seek chiropractic care for many musculoskeletal conditions, including groin pain. Pain in the groin area can emanate from a myriad of causes from issues involving the reproductive organs, the renal/urinary system, the lymph glands, a pelvic flood disorder, a hip joint condition, and even a lumbar disk herniation.

For a patient with groin pain, the first thing a doctor of chiropractic will likely do is review the patient’s history and conduct a thorough examination to rule out health issues that may be better suited for the patient’s medical physician. The examination will look for potential dysfunction in the pelvis, hip, and low back that can be addressed with chiropractic care.

While musculoskeletal issues in the lower back are typically localized to that area of the body, if a spinal disk herniates and places pressure on the spinal nerves, it can lead to symptoms down the leg and even into the torso and groin. Likewise, issues in the hip like osteoarthritis, labral tears, and hip bursitis can refer pain to the groin.

Chiropractic care for these conditions will include manual therapies to restore joint motion, specific exercises to strengthen/stretch the affected ligaments and muscles, and recommendations to address inflammation, such as supplements/vitamins or ice/heat instruction.

Pelvic floor disorder (PFD) is a common condition that describes the inability to correctly relax and coordinate the pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to issues with urination and defecation, among other things. The pelvic floor is like a sling of muscle holding the pelvic organs. Our pelvic floor muscles contract and relax when we go to the bathroom. Losing the ability to relax the muscles can lead to the inability to defecate or urinate, and losing the ability to contract the muscles can result in incontinence.

Fortunately, once more serious causes are ruled out, it’s possible to resolve PFD using biofeedback, pelvic flood exercises, and relaxation techniques, all of which may be provided by your doctor of chiropractic or in conjunction with a related healthcare professional. There is the possibility that issues may be present in two or even all three areas that your doctor of chiropractic will address concurrently in order to reach a satisfactory treatment outcome.

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all healthcare concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.