Groin Pain When Running? Why It Might Not Be Your Groin (Or Your Knee)

If you're a runner who has recently developed groin pain, knee pain or pain on the outside of your leg, you're not alone.

One of the biggest mistakes runners make is assuming that the painful area is where the problem starts.

In reality, pain in the groin or knee is often caused by problems elsewhere, such as the lower back, pelvis or hips.

At Revive Women's Physio & Wellbeing Clinic in Mosley Common, this is something I assess and treat every week.

Common Symptoms

Many runners describe symptoms such as:

• Groin pain during running

• Pain on the inside of the knee

• Pain on the outside of the knee (IT band pain)

• Tight hamstrings

• Loss of power when running uphill

• Pain after long-distance runs

• Tingling into the leg

• Feeling like the leg has "nothing left"

Sometimes the pain only appears after several miles.

Others notice it after increasing mileage, hill training or preparing for a half marathon or marathon.

Why Does It Happen?

Running places repetitive loads through the body.

If movement through the pelvis, hips or lower back becomes restricted, the body often compensates elsewhere.

This can increase stress through:

• Hip muscles

• Groin muscles

• IT band

• Knee

• Hamstrings

Many runners continue training because the pain is manageable at first.

Unfortunately, this often allows the underlying problem to become more established.

Why Rest Doesn't Always Solve It

One of the most common things I hear is:

"I rested for a week, but the pain came straight back when I started running again."

That's because rest may calm the symptoms, but it doesn't correct the movement problem that caused them.

Until the underlying issue is addressed, the pain often returns.

What Happens During A Physiotherapy Assessment?

A detailed running assessment looks at much more than the painful area.

At Revive Physio I assess:

✔ Running history

✔ Training load

✔ Footwear

✔ Hip movement

✔ Pelvic alignment

✔ Lower back mobility

✔ Muscle strength

✔ Balance

✔ Running mechanics

Finding the real cause is the first step towards long-term recovery.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Treatment is always tailored to the individual but may include:

• Hands-on physiotherapy

• Manual therapy

• Joint mobilisation

• Pelvic stability exercises

• Hip and core strengthening

• Running-specific rehabilitation

• Advice on training progression

• Return-to-running programmes

The goal isn't simply to reduce pain.

It's to help you return to running stronger and reduce the risk of the problem coming back.

When Should You Seek Help?

If you've experienced any of the following for more than two weeks, it's worth getting assessed:

• Groin pain when running

• Knee pain that keeps returning

• IT band pain

• Pain after increasing mileage

• Pain during hill running

• Difficulty returning after a race

• Loss of strength or confidence

Early treatment often means a quicker recovery.

Running Injury Physiotherapy in Mosley Common

At Revive Women's Physio & Wellbeing Clinic, I help runners recover from:

• Running injuries

• Groin pain

• Runner's knee

• IT band syndrome

• Hamstring injuries

• Hip pain

• Lower back pain

• Sports injuries

Whether you're training for your first 5K, a half marathon or simply enjoy Parkrun, my aim is to help you get back to running pain free and with confidence.

Book Your Assessment

If pain is stopping you enjoying running, don't ignore it.

Book a physiotherapy assessment at Revive Women's Physio & Wellbeing Clinic in Mosley Common and let's find the real cause together.

Helping women move better, feel stronger and thrive.