Should you ice or heat a groin injury?

Put ice or a cold pack on your groin area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. After 2 or 3 days, if your swelling is gone, apply heat.

How do you heal a groin injury?

Is heat good for groin injury?

After the initial swelling and inflammation has subsided, some people like to apply therapeutic heat. This can help loosen up stiff muscles and increase range of motion. Massage is another popular method for reducing tension in the groin muscles while recovering from a pull or tear.

Is icing a hurt groin good for it?

Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is a proven method for reducing pain and inflammation in the soft tissues. Cold reduces inflammation, which can help with pain and support a quicker recovery. In fact, the faster you can apply cold to the injured area, the quicker your groin strain recovery may be.

How long does a pulled groin take to heal?

However, as a general guide, you can expect to rest several weeks before you're able to return to full activities after a groin strain. Depending on the grade of your strain, here are the estimated recovery times: Grade 1: 2 to 3 weeks. Grade 2: 2 to 3 months.

Heat or Ice for an Injury - the answer from a doctor of physical therapy

How do I know if my groin pain is serious?

Is walking OK with a groin pull?

Groin strains are graded according to the amount of muscle damage that occurs: Grade 1: Mild or partial stretch, or a tear of a few muscle fibers. The muscle is tender and painful, but maintains its normal strength. Use of the leg is not impaired, and walking is normal.

How do you tell if you pulled your groin?

Should you massage a pulled groin muscle?

During the rehab of both acute and chronic groin strain, physical therapy is integral to optimal recovery. Remedial massage releases tension in the muscle, reduces swelling, relaxes muscle spasms, stimulates blood circulation and realigns the muscle fibres to promote healing.

How should I sleep with groin pain?

Does heat make inflammation worse?

Heat can make inflammation significantly worse. Ice can aggravate symptoms of tightness and stiffness; it can also just make any pain worse when it's unwanted. Both ice and heat are pointless or worse when unwanted: icing when you're already shivering, or heating when you're already sweating.

Why you shouldn't ice an injury?

'If you don't have that initial inflammation, [injuries] don't heal as well as they could, or as fast,' she said. The problem with using ice as a vasoconstrictor is that, while it limits blood supply and therefore reduces swelling, it also limits arrival of immune cells and thus interferes with core parts of healing.

Can putting ice on an injury make it worse?

Ice can also make your pain worse if you mistakenly use it to treat a tight muscle because it will make the muscle tighten and contract more, rather than relaxing it and easing the tightness that's causing the pain.

How do you heal a pulled groin fast?

Can a woman pull a groin muscle?

Most common cause of groin pain for females

A “groin strain” usually refers to torn or overstretched adductor muscles, which are located on the inside of the thigh. These types of groin injuries are usually the result of overuse or overexertion and are common among physically active people.

How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin?

How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin muscle? Feelings of dull aching and pain in the groin area are common for both a muscle strain and a hernia. A key indicator that you may have a hernia, however, is if you have a small bulge, lump, or bump on one side of the groin.

Why does my groin keep hurting?

Summary. Groin pain can have many potential causes, including muscle strain, inguinal hernia, and kidney stones. Many causes are related to hip injuries or osteoarthritis. Less commonly, the pain may be related to nerves or have testicular origins.

Why do I get groin pain when I walk?

Groin pain when walking is often caused by strained muscles, ligaments, or tendons in your lower abdominal area. Cartilage tears, hip impingement, an inguinal hernia, and osteoarthritis are also common culprits. If your groin pain is caused by muscle strain, rest and ice therapy can help the injury to heal.

What does a torn groin muscle feel like?

The injury can range from a minor pull to a more serious tear of the muscle. You may feel pain and tenderness that's worse when you squeeze your legs together. You may also have pain when you raise the knee of the injured side. There may be swelling or bruising in the groin area or inner thigh.

Is naproxen good for groin strain?

Compress your thigh using an elastic bandage or tape. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, will help with pain and swelling. Note: these should only be used for a short period, such as up to 1-2 weeks. Active stretching and strengthening exercises.

Do groin injuries ever heal?

With rest and proper treatment, most groin strains heal on their own in about 4–8 weeks. More severe groin strains can take longer. It is very important to let the strain heal fully and get the doctor's OK before going back to activities.

What kind of doctor treats groin pain?

Make an urgent appointment with your family doctor or urologist. With the right medication, you'll feel much better within a few days. If the symptoms don't get better or if they return, see your doctor promptly. There are a few other, less common causes of pain or swelling in a testicle.

What is considered the groin area in a female?

Your groin is the area of your hip located between your stomach and your thigh. It is where your abdomen stops and your legs start.

Is it too late to ice an injury?

Use ice for inflammation within the first 24 hours. Ice is best as soon after the injury as possible, but never during the activity. Personal preference. After 24 hours, using heat or cold therapy can be determined according to your preference.