That ‘pinching’ feeling you may be feeling in the groin area is often times not a tight muscle. This often is a symptom of hip impingement.
What is Hip Impingement?
Hip impingement, also called Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), happens when the bones of the hip joint do not fit together optimally. Instead gliding smoothly, the ball-and-socket of the hip rub or pinch against each other. Over time, this can irritate the joint, cause pain in the front of your hip or groin, and make movement like bending, twisting, or sitting for long periods uncomfortable.
Common Causes of Hip Impingement
Excessive sitting: Long hours of sitting can cause the ball-and-socket joint of the hip to drift inwards. This causes the hip to bump into the walls of the hip socket, creating the pinching or sharp pain in the groin or the front of the hip. If you sit for long hours, make sure to get up and walk frequently for 5-10 minutes to help prevent this pinching in the groin.
Weak gluteal muscles: The gluteal muscles attach to the outside of the hip to help keep the ball-and-socket joint positioned properly. When the gluteal muscles become weak, the muscles have a harder time keeping the ball-and-socket positioned perfectly. Consciously keeping the knees pushed out over the pinky toes while walking, sitting, or exercising helps activate the proper muscles to align the hip joint.
Pelvic joint restriction: The pelvic and hip work together like a team. If the joints of the pelvis are stiff or not gliding together properly, it can change how your ball-and-socket joint moves. When the pelvic joints do not move properly, it can force the ball-and-socket to compensate, increasing friction between the ball-and-socket.
Symptoms to Watch For
Pain Location: Pain or pinching in the front of the hip or groin.
Pain triggers: Raising the knee, bending, twisting, sitting for long hours, or squatting cause exacerbate the symptoms.
Stiffness or reduced range of motion in the hip: These are signs the ball-and-socket are not moving or aligned correctly.
Clicking, locking, or catching sensations: More signs the ball-and-socket is experiencing more friction.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help You
Chiropractic care focuses on helping the hip and pelvis work together to move freely, reducing pain and improving function. For hip impingement this can include gentle pelvic and hip adjustments to restore normal movement to the hip and pelvis and reduce pinching and pain, targeted stretching and strengthening to improve hip stability and flexibility, and movement and posture guidance to prevent further stress on the hip joint.
When to Seek a Professional
If the pinching and pain into the groin and hip does not resolve within 2-3 weeks it is important to seek professional help to prevent structural damage within the ball-and-socket. Untreated hip impingement can lead to joint damage, reduced mobility, increased pain, compensatory injuries, and in extreme cases can lead to surgical intervention. Early evaluation is key.
Take the first Step Toward Lasting Relief
Don’t let pain and discomfort keep you from excelling at work, peaceful sleep, or spending time with friends and family. If you are experiencing pain, stiffness, or pinching, schedule a consultation today with O’Fallon chiropractor, Dr. Tyler Kuhlmann. He will provide a full evaluation and create a personalized treatment plan for your specific symptoms and condition.
Give us a call at (636) 385-6122 if you have any questions.