Navigating Groin Pain and Adductor Tendinitis During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a remarkable journey filled with excitement and anticipation. However, it also brings various physical changes and challenges that can cause discomfort and pain, particularly in the pelvic area, hips, and lower abdomen.
One common issue many pregnant women face is navigating groin pain during pregnancy, often accompanied by adductor tendinitis, pelvic pain, or even pelvic girdle pain.
In this blog, we'll explore the causes, pregnancy symptoms, and effective treatments for these conditions, including how Elite HP's specialised approach can provide relief and support for a healthy pregnancy.
Understanding Groin Pain and Adductor Pain During Pregnancy
Groin pain and adductor pain are often discussed together because they can both affect the pelvic area, especially during early pregnancy.
However, they stem from different causes and require different approaches to pain management and treatment. Let’s break down the differences:
Groin Pain
Groin pain during pregnancy is typically felt in the area where the lower abdomen meets the thighs, often extending to the inner thighs or lower pelvis. This type of pelvic discomfort can be caused by several factors:
Muscle Strain: Overstretching or tearing of muscles or abdominal muscle tendons in the groin area.
Ligament Injuries: Such as round ligament pain, which is common as the uterus expands.
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD): A condition where the pelvic girdle joint becomes unstable due to hormonal changes.
Hernias: Inguinal hernias that cause sharp pain in the groin.
Vaginal Infections: Such as yeast infections, which can lead to pelvic discomfort.
Groin Pain Symptoms:
A sharp or dull ache in the groin region, often linked with pelvic girdle pain.
Pain that radiates to the hip, thigh, or lower abdomen, sometimes presenting as hip pain or abdominal pain.
Increased discomfort with movement, especially when standing, walking, or lifting — a common complaint among pregnant women dealing with pelvic discomfort.
Adductor Pain
Adductor pain, on the other hand, is specifically related to the muscles on the inner thigh, known as the adductor muscles.
These muscles play a key role in moving the legs together, supporting the pelvic floor, and stabilising the pelvic girdle. During pregnancy, the altered biomechanics can lead to strain and inflammation in these muscles, resulting in adductor tendinitis.
Adductor Muscle Strain: Overuse or injury to the adductor muscles, often due to poor pelvic tilt or hip control during pregnancy.
Adductor Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons connecting the adductor muscles to the pelvis, usually from repetitive strain.
Poor Hip Control: Changes in weight distribution and core stability during pregnancy can cause overcompensation by the adductors, leading to joint pain and discomfort in the pelvic area.
Adductor Pain Symptoms:
Sharp, stabbing pain in the inner thigh or groin area, sometimes radiating to the pelvic girdle.
Tenderness and swelling along the inner thigh are often linked with chronic pain in the adductors.
Difficulty with activities involving inward leg movements or balancing on one leg — a common sign of pelvic floor muscle imbalance.
Pain that worsens with movement, especially walking, getting up from a chair, or changing direction, potentially leading to low back pain or posterior pelvic pain over time.
How Elite HP Treats Groin Pain and Adductor Tendinitis
At Elite HP, we understand the unique challenges that pregnancy symptoms and pain can present. Our experienced practitioners employ targeted and effective pain management strategies to alleviate discomfort and support your wellbeing throughout your pregnancy journey.
Comprehensive Assessment
We begin with a thorough assessment to understand the specific causes and severity of your pain. This includes evaluating your posture, pelvic tilt, movement patterns, and identifying any muscle imbalances or weaknesses contributing to your discomfort — particularly in the pelvic floor, pelvic girdle, and surrounding muscle groups.
Active Release Techniques (ART)
ART is a hands-on therapy that targets soft tissues to relieve tension and improve mobility — a valuable technique for those experiencing joint pain, pelvic discomfort, or hip pain during pregnancy.
Adductor Longus and Adductor Magnus Release: We apply precise pressure and movement to these key muscles to reduce inflammation, break down scar tissue, and restore normal function.
Glutes, TFL, and Hip Flexor Treatment: By addressing surrounding muscles, we ensure comprehensive relief and improved hip stability, which is essential for reducing strain on the adductors and pelvic area.
Dry Needling Therapy
Dry needling involves inserting fine needles into trigger points within the muscles to alleviate chronic pain and promote healing.
Targeted Adductor Tendon Needling: This technique specifically addresses inflammation and tension at the adductor tendon in the groin, providing significant pain relief and facilitating faster recovery — especially effective for nerve entrapment symptoms or radiating discomfort.
Note: We recommend scheduling this treatment with a female practitioner for comfort and sensitivity, as it involves working closely with the pelvic area.
Personalised Exercise Programs
We develop customised exercise routines focused on strengthening core, abdominal muscle, and pelvic floor groups, improving hip control, and increasing flexibility. These exercises not only help reduce pain but also prevent future strain by ensuring your body is better supported as it adapts to the changes of pregnancy — supporting a healthy pregnancy.
Education and Ergonomic Advice
Our practitioners provide guidance on proper movement techniques, postural adjustments, and the use of supportive devices, such as pelvic support belts or braces, to alleviate pressure and provide additional stability — particularly helpful for managing lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and posterior pelvic pain.
Ongoing Support and Monitoring
We believe in providing continuous care and support throughout your treatment journey. Regular follow-ups allow us to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed to ensure optimal outcomes. We encourage open communication, addressing any concerns promptly to tailor treatments effectively — whether you’re in early pregnancy or further along.
Managing Groin Pain and Adductor Tendinitis at Home
In addition to professional treatments, several self-care strategies can help manage and alleviate pain at home — an essential part of any comprehensive pain management plan.
Rest and activity modification are crucial; avoiding movements that worsen symptoms and incorporating periods of rest can make a significant difference. Applying heat or cold therapy — such as a warm compress or ice pack on the affected pelvic area or hip — can reduce inflammation and soothe joint pain.
Gentle stretching, as recommended by your physiotherapist or through physical therapy, can help maintain flexibility, reduce pelvic discomfort, and relieve muscle tension.
Supportive wear, such as maternity belts, can help distribute weight more evenly and reduce strain on the pelvic girdle and hips, contributing to better alignment and reduced lower back pain.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While groin pain and adductor tendinitis are common during pregnancy, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider if:
Pain is Severe or Worsening: Intense or severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest or home care may signal a more serious condition and warrants professional evaluation, especially if accompanied by nerve entrapment or shooting discomfort.
Mobility is Significantly Affected: Difficulty performing daily activities or walking normally should be addressed promptly, as it may point to an underlying issue such as a stress fracture or pelvic girdle pain.
Accompanied by Other Symptoms: Such as fever, bleeding, or unusual discharge, which could indicate a medical emergency like an ectopic pregnancy.
Persistent or Recurrent Issues: Ongoing discomfort despite treatment may require further investigation through a symptom checker, diagnostic imaging, or more advanced pain management strategies, including safe pain medication options during pregnancy.
Early intervention can prevent complications and ensure both your health and your baby’s wellbeing are protected, supporting a healthy pregnancy.
Find Relief At Elite Health & Performance
If you're navigating groin pain during pregnancy or dealing with adductor tendinitis and live in Brisbane, Elite Health & Performance is here to help.
Our team of experienced professionals offers tailored treatments — including physical therapy, dry needling, and personalised exercise programs — designed to reduce pelvic pain, ease hip pain, and support your pregnancy health.
Whether you're in early pregnancy or further along, our integrated approach addresses your symptoms holistically — from pelvic floor support to managing abdominal pain and improving pelvic tilt mechanics.
Don’t let discomfort or lower back pain disrupt your journey. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward effective relief and a healthy pregnancy.
