Kinesiology tape: Adductor Strain/ Groin Pull

Your friendly Chiropractor in Chandler AZ, Dr. Dan Rae, is back at the computer this afternoon to talk about the Adductor Strain also known as a Groin Pull or Pulled Groin.  This is an injury that happens quite often, and I would have to say I see it mostly in individuals who do not warm up properly.

The cause of the Adductor Strain is generally from a sudden contraction of the adductor muscles (the muscles that pull the leg back to mid line) from a stretched position where the hip abducted out away from the body or in a flexed position.  The most common site of this injury is at the junction of the muscle and the tendon of the adductor magnus muscle.

These patients usually come into my office complaining pain in the groin area after performing movements such as kicking, sprinting, water skiing, or jumping such as high jumps or hurdles.  They also say that the pain in the groin came on immediately after the movement and was incapacitating.

Treatment for this condition sometimes includes an elastic figure eight strapping around the hip with slight extension and internal rotation of the hip.  Kinesiology Tape is often applied to decrease the amount of tension being placed on the adductor muscles, and myofascial release techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique are utilized to prevent scar tissue formation and encourage proper healing.

Chiroprator Chandler AZ: Quadriceps Muscle Strain

Your friendly Chiropractor in Chandler AZ, Dr. Dan Rae, is back at the computer this morning trying to pump out this article prior to patients arriving.  Today, I am going to continue with the thigh and address the Quadriceps Strain.  This injury is not seen as much in my office as the Hamstring Strain, but I do still see it quite frequently.

In the image above by MendMeShop, we are able to clearly see the muscles the form the quadriceps muscle group and more.  The cause of a Quadriceps Strain is due to sudden contraction of the quadriceps, which results in what we often here as a pull, or less commonly, a full rupture of the muscle.  Some reasons that would predispose someone to this injury is tight quadriceps, which generally stems from not properly warming up prior to activity as well as imbalance between the quadriceps of the opposite leg, or one leg being shorter than the other.

These patients generally come into my office complaining of a sudden pulling pain at the front of the thigh after attempting to sprint, whiffing on a kick, or stopping very rapidly.

Treatment for this condition is not very difficult, but must be done properly to avoid more serious problems.  Ice should be applied as soon as possible to control the inflammation and swelling coupled with neoprene or some sort of elastic support.  Kinesiology Tape can be applied to reduce the tension being placed on the quadriceps musculature.  Stretching should be initiated as soon as possible with very gentle stretching.  Myofascial release techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique can be implemented to prevent scar tissue formation and chronic shortening of the muscle.  Complete tears or ruptures of the muscle or tendon require surgical repair.

Author Bio:
Dr. Rae's professional interests lie in helping the community reach their health potential.  Through hundreds of hours of post-graduate training, Dr. Rae has studied different soft-tissue therapies, studying the muscles and how to help them function appropriately. He specializes in knee pain, thigh pain and hip pain.