Integrative Works

People have pain in their calf or groin with a stiff hip. The pain is usually the greater concern. And, one of the two complaints usually dominate:

Specific Pain

• People complain of a specific spot on the upper, outside of their calf. It has some intensity and may even burn.
• Less often, they have pain in their groin that may extend into their genitalia or down the thigh. It usually bites at them when they twist their trunk or legs. They are less likely to complain about this to their bodyworker, as they think it may be a hernia. Furthermore, they aren’t interested in having treatment there.

Groin pain that feels like a hernia,
should be checked by your doctor
before seeking relief through bodywork.

Vague Stiff Hip

With either of these, they often have a stiff hip. It is usually less defined than the picture suggests. Also, these patients are more focused on the other pain, which tends to be more intense. I typically have to ask how their low back is doing for them to mention the stiff hip.

Groin pain often prompts a visit to the MD, where this is often viewed as a hernia, although the doctor often sees this as not severe enough to repair. One client’s family had a long history of inguinal hernias and was disappointed when the doctor did not offer him relief.

Clinically Proven
Self-Care Strategies

This post has strategies for getting relief on your own. Explore how to change your activities, stretch, and other strategies that relieve the pain associated with this trigger point.

Better Bodywork
Through Shared Expertise

This post has techniques, tips, treatment routines, and anatomy illustrations to improve the bodyworker’s approach.