A sports hernia can set you back in your athletic journey and lead to a significant amount of pain. Physical therapy offers a non-invasive approach to resolving this type of injury and getting you back on course.
If you are dealing with a sports hernia, learn how physical therapy in Edgewater, NJ, can support your rehabilitation journey.
How Can Physical Therapy Support Recovery From a Sports Hernia?
Sports hernias or “athletic pubalgias” are a type of injury that commonly arises in high-intensity sports with movements like twisting, sprinting, kicking, or sudden stops and starts. These movements can lead to a tear or strain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the groin.
Sports hernia symptoms may include sharp pain that is localized to one side of the groin, tenderness in the upper thigh or abdomen, or pain that subsides with rest but returns with activity. While sports hernias are often difficult to diagnose, a doctor can conduct a physical exam and use an MRI or ultrasound to aid in their assessment.
Physical therapy is a commonly recognized treatment to streamline your body’s natural healing process and get you back to your sport faster. Below are a few benefits of physical therapy for sports hernia rehabilitation.
Strengthen the Core Muscles for Stability and Balance
Sports hernias sometimes develop due to weakness in the abdominal muscles, which leads to strain on the groin area when twisting or performing other harsh movements. Core stability training is a key component of physical therapy for sports hernia rehabilitation to help stabilize the body and reduce the risk of the injury recurring.
A strong core provides better balance during physical activity and can contribute to healthy body mechanics overall. A physical therapist can walk you through safe core-strengthening exercises that avoid straining your existing injury and promote a safe recovery.
Improve Hip Mobility and Strength for Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Recovering from a sports hernia also involves strengthening the muscles around the groin area, including the hips and pelvic floor. Hip adductor strengthening exercises target the muscles in the thighs used to bring the legs together. Imbalances in these muscles can lead you to overcompensate when twisting or running, straining the groin.
Your physical therapist will demonstrate hip mobility exercises to help support the pelvic area and reduce strain while your injury heals. They can also use manual therapy techniques to improve flexibility and range of motion in these areas.
Create a Progressive Return-to-Sport Protocol
Sports hernias are most common in high-intensity athletes who may have trouble resting from their sport while they recover. One of the most important aspects of physical therapy for sports hernia rehabilitation is helping athletes safely return to their sports and avoid worsening the injury in the process.
If you have been dealing with a sports hernia for some time, you may have unconsciously adapted how you move during your sport to minimize pain. This may be placing strain on other areas of the body and increasing the risk of other types of musculoskeletal injuries.
A physical therapist can work with you to create a personalized return-to-sport protocol that progressively strengthens the core and pelvic floor and prepares the body for movements involved in the sport. They can oversee exercises that mimic the movements necessary in your sport and intervene if they notice other maladaptive patterns that may put you at risk of further injury.
Schedule Physical Therapy in Edgewater, NJ
Dealing with a sports hernia can be frustrating, but physical therapy can help support your recovery. Physical therapists provide targeted treatment plans to streamline rehabilitation and prevent sports injuries from recurring. They can also help you manage pain and feel more confident returning to your sport.
If you are looking for physical therapy for sports hernia rehabilitation in Edgewater, NJ, our therapists offer targeted treatments for your needs. Schedule an appointment with Exchange Physical Therapy Group today by calling 201-721-6130.
