Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 9/29/2010

Question
Hello,

First a bit of background:
I'm 22 and have played hockey all my life without any muscle strains. Feb 2010 I strained my left groin for the first time. It "healed" in 2 weeks, I played fine, then strained it again 2 weeks later. Then, it "healed" in 2 weeks, played an entire hockey tournament (5 games in 3 days) with zero pain, then 1 week after this I strain it again doing some light skating.

This last time was May 2010... but unlike the first 2 incidents, my groin hasn't showed any significant sign of healing and its been about 5 months. I did 5 sessions of physical therapy which didn't seem to do anything. Now I have pain in my right hamstring and calf... simply from walking.

My guess is that there is some misalignment in my hips because of my original groin injury. My question is to what extent can chiropractic work help me? I understand I can get my hips/spine adjusted... but will this do anything in helping my groin heal?

Also I had a consultation at a local chiropractor and he used some tool on the back of my neck to measure nerve irritation or something. I was about 4.5 on a scale of 0 to 6 (6 being worst). Could you shed some light on this as well?

What would you recommend as my course of action and what type of chiropractors should I stay away from?

Thanks for taking the time to read this
-Chad  

Answer
Easy:  www.grastontechnique.com  and also "active release technique" or ART (or anyone's qualified version of this) and also do eccentric reps of hip abductions, flexions, and extensions.   If you have a wooden floor and wear socks, you can slide your leg to the side and back for eccentric abductions (yes, it will hurt a bit), then slide it backwards, and then slide it forwards, like sliding into and out of a lunge.  These really should be done after having some soft tissue therapy per above.   Also, a sports chiropractor can make sure you hips and pelvic joints (what your groin muscles connect to) are working well.  See www.acbsp.com  

'Best regards.  

Dr. G