SupremeA twinge in your groin every time you turn?
It went on a sharp turn, a long pass or a stretch for the ball. Now changing direction, kicking or even getting out of the car catches on the inside of your thigh. You've missed a few games and every comeback ends the same way.
Nick Monczakowski 4.9 from 74 Google reviews · 13+ years
How bad is it?
A rough guide to what you might be dealing with and when to come in. If you're not sure, WhatsApp Nick and ask.
A twinge
Tight and sore but you can walk and jog normally. Come in now to stop it becoming a pull.
A pull
Sore to walk fast, painful to kick or sprint. Treatment usually starts after the first few days, once it has settled.
A tear
Sudden sharp pain, a lot of bruising or difficulty walking. See your GP first. Nick can help with rehab later.
Healed isn't the same as ready.
Scar tissue is stiff.
The strained area heals with tougher, less stretchy tissue. Under a sudden stretch it's the first part to go again.
Your hips are tight.
Stiff hips and tight hip flexors leave the adductors doing more work when you twist and kick.
Back too soon.
Feeling fine jogging isn't the same as ready for a sharp turn at full speed. The last stage of rehab is the one most people skip.
The inner thigh and what loads it.
Adductors
Careful release along the inner thigh to restore stretch where the strain has stiffened.
Hip flexors
Freeing the front of the hip takes load off the groin when you kick.
Glutes
Strong, working glutes share the load when you turn and change direction.
Lower tummy & hips
Checked as part of the picture, as groin pain can link to the lower tummy and pelvis.
Turn, kick, stretch.
Footballers
Kicking, sharp turns and long passes. A classic football injury.
Rugby players
Scrums, rucks and side-steps load the inner thigh.
Racket sports
Lunging wide for tennis, padel or squash shots.
Hockey players
Low, wide stances and quick changes of direction.
Skaters & skiers
Pushing outwards with every stride.
Gym regulars
Wide squats and lunges that go too heavy too soon.
Back playing. In their words.
“I came in with tight hip flexors, which were quickly and efficiently relieved, allowing me to continue playing sports without any restrictions or physical limitations.”
Max · Plays sport“I had to stop all sports activities until I saw Nick… within a month or so was pain free and able to resume activities gradually.”
Karen · Knee“Hands down one of the best physiotherapists I have ever had. I'm a professional dancer of 13 years & Nick's approaches to recovery have been nothing short of incredible.”
Dom · Professional dancerGroin strain myths. Busted.
“Rest it and it'll heal.”
Tap to flip →It will heal. Without restoring its stretch and strength, it often goes again on the first sharp turn.
“Stretch it hard to loosen it.”
Tap to flip →Aggressive stretching on a fresh strain can make it worse. Stretch comes back gradually.
“If I can jog, I can play.”
Tap to flip →Jogging and sprinting with sharp turns are very different. Build up through the stages before match day.
One hour. A plan back to playing.
- 01
Talk
How it happened, how long ago and what your next game or event is.
- 02
Assess
Hands-on assessment of the inner thigh, hips and lower tummy to see what's involved.
- 03
Treat
Release matched to how recent it is, from gentle early work to deeper later on.
- 04
Plan
Strength work and a step-by-step return to sprinting and kicking.
Before you book for your groin.
Can sports massage help a groin strain?
Yes, once the first few days have passed. Treatment restores stretch in the adductors, eases tight hips and helps you return to sport without it going again.
How soon after the injury can I come in?
For a mild twinge, straight away. For a proper pull, usually after the first 3 to 5 days once the initial pain has settled. If you're not sure, WhatsApp Nick and he'll advise.
When can I play again?
It depends on how bad the strain is and how you build back up. Nick will give you clear stages, from jogging to sprinting to kicking, so you know when you're ready.
Is groin pain always a muscle strain?
Not always. Hernias, hip joint problems and some other conditions can cause groin pain. If anything doesn't fit a muscle strain, Nick will tell you and point you to your GP.
Where is the practice?
Beverley Road, New Malden KT3 4AW. About a 10-minute walk from New Malden station with free street parking nearby. Open Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm.
When to see your GP first
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have sudden severe pain or swelling in a testicle, or you can't put weight on your leg after an injury.
Call NHS 111 or see your GP before booking if you have groin pain with any of these:
- A lump in your groin that gets bigger when you cough or strain
- Heavy bruising or a gap you can feel in the inner thigh
- Groin pain with a fever or feeling unwell
- Deep groin pain that's worse at night or when you're resting
Not sure? WhatsApp Nick a quick description first. If massage isn't the right first step, he'll tell you before you book.
Groin pain has company.
Make this the last comeback.
- £80 first session, assessment included
- Mon–Fri 11am–7pm
- Near New Malden station · free street parking
- Personal reply from Nick, usually same day
“Our experience has been that as a result of Nick's treatments, we have managed to recover much faster as compared to relying on classical physiotherapy or other treatments.”