Chronic Groin & Lower Abdominal Pain: Why Your Muscles Might Be the Culprit

by Son’s Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic in Seoul

Have you been suffering from persistent lower abdominal or groin pain for years? Many patients undergo a long journey through urology, internal medicine, and alternative therapies, only to find that their scans and tests are "perfectly normal."

If you are a fitness enthusiast or someone who engages in heavy weightlifting, the cause of your distress might not be an organ issue, but a musculoskeletal imbalance.

1. The Concept of "Referred Pain"

In the world of rehabilitation medicine, we often see that the site of pain is not always the source of the problem.

  • Abdominal Wall Muscles: The Rectus Abdominis (six-pack muscle) and the Obliques (side muscles) can develop "Trigger Points." When these muscles are overused—common in high-intensity core workouts—they send referred pain signals down into the groin, scrotum, or bladder area. * The Deception: This pain often mimics the symptoms of prostatitis or cystitis, leading patients to seek urological treatment for what is actually a muscular issue.

2. The Back-Front Connection: Why We Treat the Lower Back

It may seem counterintuitive to treat the lower back (Thoracolumbar fascia and Erector Spinae) for pain felt in the front. However, the body operates as an integrated kinetic chain.

  • Pelvic Alignment: If the muscles in your lower back are chronically tight, they pull the pelvis into an anterior tilt. This puts constant, abnormal tension on the abdominal wall and the inguinal (groin) ligaments.

  • Nerve Entrapment: The nerves that supply sensation to the groin (such as the ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerves) originate from the spine and pass through the back and hip muscles. If these muscles are hyper-tense, they can "trap" the nerve, causing sharp or radiating pain in the lower abdomen.

3. The "Fitness Paradox": Impact of High-Pressure Training

For those who hit the gym regularly, two factors often contribute to this chronic pain:

  1. Improper Intra-Abdominal Pressure: Lifting heavy weights requires "bracing." If the pressure is not distributed correctly, it pushes downward against the pelvic floor and the inguinal canal, leading to strain.

  2. Overactive Hip Flexors (Psoas): Exercises like leg raises or heavy squats can overwork the psoas muscle. Because the psoas sits deep behind the abdominal organs, its tension is often felt as deep, internal abdominal pain.

The Rehabilitation Approach

At our clinic, we don't just look at where it hurts; we look at why it hurts. By identifying the specific muscle triggers in the abdomen and rebalancing the tension in the lower back, we can break the cycle of chronic pain.

Recovery is possible. If you have been searching for answers for years, it may be time to stop looking at the organs and start looking at the "container"—your muscles and fascia.

👍Consultation and Appointment Information

Son PMR & Chiropractic Clinic( 2nd floor, 229-1 Gucheonmyun-Ro, Gangdongu, Seoul, South Korea) 

by  Dr Son MD & DC 
Contact: 02-482-8875 in Seoul( +82-2-482-8875)

chson@daum.net


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