Groin pain rehabilitation in Canberra.
Groin pain in kicking and change-of-direction sport is common, classifiable and very treatable, with active strengthening at its core. Structured adductor programs and a criteria-based return to sport.
- Football, AFL & change-of-direction sport
- Doha-classification based assessment
- Active adductor strengthening programs
- Kicking & cutting progressions
Understanding athletic groin pain.
Groin pain in athletes was once a diagnostic mess of overlapping labels. The international Doha agreement simplified it into defined clinical entities, adductor-related, iliopsoas-related, inguinal-related and pubic-related groin pain, plus hip-joint causes, and adductor-related pain is by far the most common in kicking and change-of-direction sports.
The strongest evidence sits with active exercise: supervised, progressive adductor and trunk strengthening consistently outperforms passive treatment, and simple high-value exercises like the Copenhagen adduction have even been shown to prevent groin problems when built into training weeks.
How we treat it.
Assessment first separates the entities, adductor, iliopsoas, inguinal, pubic or hip joint, because they progress differently. From there, adductor-related pain (the most common) follows a progressive strengthening pathway: isometric and short-lever work early, building through Copenhagen progressions and heavy adduction strength, integrated with trunk and hip capacity.
Sport reintegration is staged, linear running, then change of direction, then kicking volume, with objective adductor strength testing guiding the return. For persistent or mixed presentations we coordinate with your GP or sports physician around imaging and adjunct options, but exercise remains the foundation.
Clinical entities we assess
- Adductor-related groin pain
- Iliopsoas & inguinal-related pain
- Pubic-related stress presentations
- Hip joint (FAI / labral) referral
What a program includes
- Entity-based diagnosis & plan
- Copenhagen & adductor strength progressions
- Trunk & hip capacity work
- Kicking / cutting return progressions
Funding: This program can be funded through NDIS (self- and plan-managed), DVA (D904 referral), Medicare CDM (GP care plan), Workers Comp/CTP, private health or self-pay. We confirm the right pathway at your first visit.
What the evidence says.
Adductor related groin pain has one of the clearest evidence stories in sports medicine: Hölmich's landmark trial showed active strengthening comprehensively beating passive treatment for long standing groin pain, and the Copenhagen adduction exercise has since shown large gains in adductor strength and meaningful injury risk reduction in team sport players. Groin pain in kicking and change of direction athletes is a strength and load problem far more often than it is something a scan can fix.
How I treat it.
Assessment classifies the pain source properly, adductor, hip flexor, abdominal wall or hip joint, because the label steers the loading. The core of the program is progressive adductor strengthening from isometrics through to Copenhagen variations, integrated with trunk control and hip capacity, then a graded return of kicking volume and change of direction.
Chronic cases carry months of guarding and compensation, which the hands on side of my work addresses in the same sessions as the loading.
What we aim for.
- Squeeze test strength climbing week to week
- Kicking and cutting rebuilt without the morning after groin
- An athlete durable enough for a full season
- No more rest, relapse, repeat
Frequently asked.
Related pages.
Recent literature behind this program.
A selection of the research and clinical guidelines that inform how this condition is managed at Fitness & Wellbeing Physiology.
- Weir A, Brukner P, Delahunt E, et al. Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2015;49:768–774.
- Harøy J, Clarsen B, Wiger EG, et al. The Adductor Strengthening Programme prevents groin problems among male football players: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2019;53:150–157.
Evidence summaries are provided for information only and are not a substitute for individual clinical assessment.
Book your appointment.
Same-week availability for NDIS, DVA, CDM, CTP and private clients.
Prefer to call? 0418 153 608 · or email admin@fwphysiology.com