Groin Pain After Playing Pickleball: Did You Pull a Muscle During a Lunge?

You reach for a low pickleball shot, stretch your leg sideways, and feel a sudden pulling sensation along your inner thigh.

Maybe the discomfort is mild enough to finish the game. But later that evening, walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of your car becomes uncomfortable.

For recreational pickleball players in Cumming and Forsyth County, this type of pain can interrupt an otherwise enjoyable activity.

One possible explanation is an adductor muscle strain, commonly called a groin pull.

However, not every episode of groin pain comes from a strained muscle. Hip joint problems, tendon injuries, abdominal wall conditions, and other medical issues can produce similar symptoms.

Understanding the differences can help you decide when to rest, when to begin rehabilitation, and when professional evaluation is necessary.

Why Pickleball Can Place Stress on the Groin

Pickleball involves more than swinging a paddle.

Players repeatedly accelerate, stop, pivot, and reach for balls outside their normal standing position.

A wide lateral lunge places considerable demands on the muscles that stabilize the pelvis and control movement of the legs.

The adductor muscles, located along the inner thigh, are especially important during these movements.

They help bring the leg toward the body’s midline and contribute to hip stability.

When a player suddenly reaches farther than expected, these muscles may be exposed to forces that exceed their current capacity.

A strain can occur during a single movement or develop after repeated activity.

1. Adductor Muscle Strain

The adductor muscle group includes several muscles that extend from the pelvis toward the thigh.

A strain occurs when muscle fibers or associated tendon tissue are injured.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain along the inner thigh or groin.
• Discomfort during side-to-side movement.
• Tenderness near the upper inner thigh.
• Pain when squeezing the knees together.
• Difficulty lunging or changing direction.
• Occasionally, bruising or swelling.

Some players describe feeling a sudden pull or pop during the injury.

Others develop discomfort gradually after several games.

The severity can range from mild irritation to a substantial tear.

A sudden pop followed by significant pain, bruising, weakness, or difficulty walking deserves prompt medical evaluation.

2. Hip Flexor Strain

The hip flexors help move the thigh forward and upward.

These muscles work during quick steps, lunges, and changes in direction.

Hip flexor discomfort is often felt toward the front of the hip or groin.

It may become more noticeable when lifting the knee, climbing stairs, or accelerating.

Because the symptoms can overlap with adductor injuries, the location of discomfort alone may not establish the diagnosis.

A clinical examination can help distinguish the possibilities.

3. Hip Joint Problems

Sometimes groin pain originates from structures within the hip joint.

Hip osteoarthritis, labral injuries, and other hip conditions may cause discomfort in the groin region.

Some individuals notice catching, clicking, stiffness, or pain with deep hip flexion.

These symptoms do not automatically mean that a labral tear is present.

A healthcare professional may assess hip range of motion, strength, and symptom reproduction before deciding whether imaging is necessary.

4. Athletic Pubalgia and Abdominal Wall Pain

Persistent groin pain may occasionally involve the abdominal wall or structures near the pubic bone.

Athletic pubalgia, sometimes called a sports hernia, is different from a traditional inguinal hernia.

It can involve injury to muscles or connective tissues around the lower abdomen and groin.

Symptoms may increase with twisting, sprinting, coughing, or other activities that load the abdominal wall.

A visible groin bulge may instead suggest a traditional hernia.

These conditions require an appropriate medical evaluation rather than assuming that the problem is a simple muscle strain.

5. Why Groin Pain May Continue After the Game

An injured muscle or tendon may remain sensitive during ordinary movements.

Walking, entering a vehicle, or moving sideways can reproduce discomfort because these activities engage the same structures involved in pickleball.

Continuing to play through significant pain may prolong symptoms.

However, complete inactivity is not always necessary.

The appropriate balance between temporary activity modification and progressive exercise depends on the injury.

What Does Research Say About Groin Strain Recovery?

Research on athletic groin injuries supports progressive strengthening and individualized load management as important components of rehabilitation.

A clinical review published in the Journal of Athletic Training describes exercise-based rehabilitation as central to managing adductor strains and persistent adductor-related groin pain.

The authors emphasize progressing from appropriate strengthening toward sport-specific movements rather than relying on rest alone. PubMed Central (PMC)

A 2025 review in American Family Physician also identifies active, supervised physical therapy as a first-line treatment for adductor-related groin pain. AAFP

These findings do not mean that every patient needs the same exercises or recovery timeline.

The appropriate program depends on the diagnosis, severity, and response to activity.

Six Ways to Reduce Groin Injury Risk During Pickleball

Warm Up Before Playing

Begin with several minutes of comfortable movement.

Gradually introduce lateral steps, controlled lunges, and other movements that resemble the demands of pickleball.

Avoid beginning a competitive game with repeated maximum-effort movements before your body is prepared.

Build Hip and Inner-Thigh Strength

A progressive strengthening program may improve the capacity of the adductor muscles and surrounding hip musculature.

Exercises should be selected according to your current strength and injury history.

Practice Controlled Lateral Movement

Pickleball frequently requires players to move sideways.

Practicing controlled lateral steps and changes of direction may help improve movement confidence and coordination.

Increase Playing Time Gradually

If you have recently started playing pickleball, avoid increasing your playing frequency or match duration too quickly.

A gradual progression allows time to adapt to the demands of the sport.

Avoid Playing Through Sharp Pain

Pain that becomes progressively worse during play should not be ignored.

Continuing to lunge aggressively with a suspected muscle injury may increase discomfort or aggravate the condition.

Complete Rehabilitation Before Returning to Competitive Play

Returning to pickleball should involve more than waiting for pain at rest to disappear.

You should be able to tolerate appropriate strengthening, walking, lateral movement, and sport-specific activity before returning to full competition.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

Seek prompt evaluation for severe pain, substantial bruising, inability to bear weight, a suspected tendon rupture, or a painful groin bulge.

Sudden testicular pain, particularly with swelling or nausea, requires emergency medical assessment.

Persistent groin pain that does not improve with reasonable activity modification should also be evaluated.

Not every groin injury is appropriate for chiropractic treatment.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Pickleball-Related Groin Pain?

At Backsmart Health Chiropractic, Dr. Gregory King evaluates musculoskeletal complaints affecting the spine, hips, pelvis, and surrounding structures.

Depending on the findings, conservative recommendations may include movement assessment, appropriate rehabilitation exercises, activity modification, or manual therapy for associated musculoskeletal complaints.

For a confirmed adductor strain, progressive exercise-based rehabilitation is generally the central treatment approach.

Chiropractic adjustments should not be presented as a replacement for rehabilitation or as a method of repairing torn muscle tissue.

Patients with suspected fractures, significant tendon injuries, hernias, or other medical conditions may require referral.

Learn more about the clinic’s physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises and chiropractic adjustment services.

Experienced Chiropractic Care for Cumming and Forsyth County

Dr. Gregory King brings more than 30 years of chiropractic experience to Backsmart Health Chiropractic.

The practice reports more than 30,000 cases treated and has received Best of Forsyth Chiropractor recognition for five consecutive years, 2021–2025.

Dr. King has also been recognized by the Consumer’s Research Council of America.

These credentials reflect the practice’s experience and community recognition, not a guarantee of treatment results. Backsmart Health Chiropractic

Backsmart serves recreational athletes and other patients throughout Cumming, Forsyth County, and surrounding North Georgia communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether I pulled my groin playing pickleball?

An adductor strain may produce inner-thigh tenderness, pain during lateral movement, and discomfort when bringing the legs together. An examination may be needed to distinguish it from other conditions.

Can I continue playing pickleball with a mild groin strain?

It is generally sensible to avoid movements that reproduce significant pain. Return-to-play decisions depend on the injury and your ability to tolerate progressive activity.

How long does a groin strain take to heal?

Recovery varies considerably. Mild injuries may improve over several weeks, while more substantial injuries can require longer rehabilitation.

Should I stretch a pulled groin muscle immediately?

Aggressive stretching soon after an acute strain may increase symptoms. Early management generally emphasizes protecting the injured area and gradually restoring comfortable movement.

Can groin pain come from my lower back?

Some lumbar and nerve-related conditions can refer discomfort toward the hip or groin. However, groin pain has many possible causes, so a proper examination is important.

Schedule Your FREE Consultation in Cumming, GA

If pickleball-related pain is interfering with your ability to walk, exercise, or enjoy recreational activities, consider discussing your symptoms with Dr. Gregory King.

An initial consultation can help determine whether a chiropractic examination is appropriate or whether another healthcare professional should evaluate the injury.

Backsmart Health Chiropractic
Dr. Gregory King, D.C.

5610 Bethelview Road, Suite 300A
Cumming, GA 30040

Phone: (770) 888-4288

Website: Backsmart Health Chiropractic

Online scheduling: Schedule My FREE Consultation

Serving Cumming, Forsyth County, ZIP codes 30040 and 30041, and nearby North Georgia communities.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for general education and does not replace an individualized examination, diagnosis, or treatment plan.