Groin strain injuries are common in tennis and can affect anyone, from beginners to professionals. They often happen during quick movements like sprinting, lunging, or changing direction. These actions put stress on the groin muscles. When overused or stretched too far, the muscles can tear, causing pain and stiffness. Osteopathy can help by reducing pain, improving movement, and speeding up healing.
Osteopathy is a highly effective treatment for groin strains, especially in active individuals and athletes like tennis players. First, it helps correct muscle imbalances that often lead to injury. Then, it boosts blood flow to the affected area, which speeds up the healing process. Osteopathic treatment also includes hands-on techniques to reduce pain, ease tightness, and restore movement. As a result, recovery is faster, and you can get back to playing with more strength, flexibility, and confidence. If you’re dealing with a groin strain, osteopathy can support a safe and lasting return to sport.
In this article, we’ll cover what a groin strain is, how it happens, the key symptoms, and how to recover properly and safely.
🧠 What Is a Groin Strain?
A groin strain is a common sports injury that affects the adductor muscles, which are located on the inner thigh. These muscles are responsible for bringing the legs together and play a vital role in side-to-side (lateral) movement. Because of this, they are heavily involved in many athletic activities. In particular, tennis places significant strain on the groin due to the sport’s constant lunging, quick directional changes, and fast-paced footwork. As a result, groin strains are especially common among tennis players. Whether you’re a weekend player or a competitive athlete, the repeated demands of the game can easily lead to overuse or sudden injury of the adductor muscles.
⚠️ Causes of Groin Strain in Tennis
Groin strains typically happen during sudden or powerful movements, particularly when the muscles are tight, weak, or fatigued. Common causes include:
- Quick changes in direction during rallies
- Lunging wide to return a serve
- Sprinting or sliding on grass or clay courts
- Inadequate warm-up or poor flexibility
- Muscle imbalance or history of injury
Grass courts, such as those used at Wimbledon, pose a higher risk of groin strain because of their fast pace and slippery surface. These factors often lead to awkward landings or overstretching of the adductor muscles. As a result, players are more likely to experience injuries during quick stops and sharp lateral movements. Furthermore, the unpredictable footing on grass courts increases the chance of sudden slips, which can strain the groin even more. Therefore, tennis players must take extra precautions when playing on grass to reduce the risk of groin injuries.
🔍 Symptoms of a Groin Strain
If you’ve strained your groin, you may notice:
- Sharp or pulling pain in the inner thigh or groin
- Tenderness around the affected area
- Bruising or swelling
- Pain when lifting the leg, changing direction, or squeezing the legs together
- Reduced mobility or stiffness
⏱️ Recovery Time
Recovery time depends on how severe the strain is:
- Grade 1 (mild): A few days to 2 weeks
- Grade 2 (moderate): 3 to 6 weeks
- Grade 3 (severe): 8+ weeks and may require professional rehabilitation
🛠️ Effective Treatment Options
✅ 1. Rest and Ice
In the first 48–72 hours, it’s important to rest and use ice packs to reduce pain and inflammation.
✅ 2. Manual Therapy
Osteopathy and physiotherapy can help relieve tightness, restore joint movement, and support healing.
✅ 3. Shockwave Therapy
Used for persistent or chronic groin pain, shockwave therapy promotes tissue repair and improves blood flow.
✅ 4. Targeted Rehabilitation
Strengthening exercises for the adductors, hips, and core help regain strength and prevent re-injury.
✅ 5. Return-to-Play Programme
A gradual, structured return to sport ensures you regain full range of motion, strength, and confidence on court.
💡 Preventing Groin Strain
- Warm up properly before training and matches
- Include dynamic stretches for the hips and thighs
- Strengthen the core and adductors
- Use proper footwear suited to the court surface
- Avoid pushing through early signs of discomfort
📍 Seeking Help?
If you’re suffering from inner thigh pain or groin discomfort after playing tennis, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. At MG Osteopathy, we offer:
- Hands-on osteopathic treatment
- Advanced shockwave therapy
- Tailored rehab and injury prevention programmes
🎾 Get back on court safely — stronger, faster, and pain-free.
👉 Visit www.mgosteopathy.com to book an appointment.
How Osteopathy Can Help
At MG Osteopathy in Hackney, East London, we specialise in the treatment and prevention of groin strain and tennis groin injuries. Our expert osteopaths use a combination of hands-on techniques, including shockwave therapy, dry needling, sports massage therapy, and strength training to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote faster recovery. These evidence-based therapies not only help treat existing injuries but also strengthen the muscles around the hip and groin to prevent future strains, making them ideal for athletes and active individuals.
📞 Book your appointment today at MG Osteopathy.
