Can Low Back Pain Cause Groin Pain? Yes, Here's How

In this video, we will explain how can low back pain cause groin pain. Nerves and joints of the lower back can create groin or hip pain with referred pain. Pressing on muscles of the lower back or SI joint often sends pain traveling to the front of the hip. This groin/ hip pain can get worse with walking, picking up leg, running or getting into a car.

[Performance Place website low back article excerpt] Hip flexor pain can wreak havoc on your love for running. Many of us run for weight loss or because it’s something we feel we “need to do” to be healthy. But not Julie. She simply loved the act of running!

A 10-minute marathon runner in her mid-40s, Julie would typically run five days per week. Some days she would run in track groups, rising to the challenge when her friends motivated her to get faster. Other times, she relished the solitude of solo runs.

Running was Julie’s “fix.” So when a cluster of symptoms started keeping her from doing what she loved, she knew she needed to take action. She came to Performance Place® Sports Care after seven months of unsuccessful attempts at treating the pain. I knew a detailed examination and proper guidance on how to decrease her symptoms would get her on the right track.

How It All Started
About 10 months ago, Julie began to notice hip flexor and sit bone pain when she ran. Since she didn’t do anything to create it, she thought it would go away on its own—just like most of her minor running-related issues had in the past.

But this time was different.

Soon, her hip flexor and sit bone were starting to ache at the very first step of her morning run, causing her pain for the entire duration. Her sit bone region would feel aggravated all day, especially exacerbated when she sat for long periods of time at work. The pain weighed on Julie’s mind. She wondered what she could do to make it go away.

When Julie couldn’t stand the aching any longer, she decided to take a break from running for a few days. Her hip flexor pain stopped, so she made the difficult decision of not running for two weeks.

Although it was painful to give up running, she hoped the pause would give the condition time to improve. And it did—until she hit the track again.

Just one minute into Julie’s first run in weeks, the pain surged back in full force. Frustrated, she decided to seek help.

What Didn’t Work
Julie started by exploring the typical healthcare route. But she quickly became irritated when her primary care doctor suggested rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. She had already tried rest, to no avail, and she didn’t like the idea of medication.

Unsatisfied, Julie searched for a better solution.

Her next stop was to see a physical therapist who was highly recommended by one of her friends. Physical therapy was covered by Julie’s insurance, minus deductible and copay, so she decided to give it a try.

Under her physical therapist’s guidance, Julie tried to remedy her problems with a daily 15-minute routine consisting of stretching, glute strengthening and hip mobility drills. As her inpatient care, she received tool-assisted soft tissue work. But despite two months of diligently following this plan, her sit bone was still tender while sitting at work. And she still hadn’t returned to running.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Julie continued searching for a real solution.

Next, she visited a chiropractor suggested by a friend whose sciatica had improved under his care. Julie received adjustments and soft tissue work two times per week, which was covered partially by her insurance. But after three months, she saw little improvement.

At this point, Julie was beyond frustrated. It had been five months since she was able to run, and there was still no real solution in sight. She decided to search the Runner’s World forum for more ideas on how to loosen up her hip flexor. After learning about the Active Release Technique, she visited a specialist who cost $150 per 15-minute session—not a penny covered by her insurance. After two months, the treatment yielded no improvement.

In all, Julie’s seven months of health care had cost her more than $2500. But more critical than her financial hit was the void in her life from not running. She still couldn’t even jog without her hip flexor and sit bone immediately starting to ache.

#CanLowBackPainCauseGroinPain #groinpain #california

[kyle]

Omg this is the first video that is talking EXACTLY what im going through. Starts has lower right back pain and slowly goes around my hip/waist and groin/front of thigh

[erickgarcia]

I had groin pain 4 years on and off. Pinched nerve? Drove me nuts haha no pun intended.First chiropractic adjustment relived 90% of pain. Several adjustments since June 2020 and guess what no pain 100% . I want to say a miracle? Any dealing with similar pain should see a chiropractor. Much needed recovery and makes life so pleasant.

[azeemali]

Excellent, your very detailed wish I stumbled across this years ago as out of pocket past three years spent close to 20k on pain releif, this is the 2nd one i saw your colleagues and you guys are very descriptive and make sense, insightful appreciate you guys!

[geetasworld]

Omg that's what I've been exactly looking for that God 😭 now my pain is finally goin to get over thanks buddy may God bless u and your family

[crev]

been having low right back pain for 3 years now 24/7 from a ballet injury. MRI’s all have come back clean to we have no idea what’s causing it. in early 2021 i developed a severe groin pain that lasts about 2-3 weeks at a time and takes months for me to get strong in walking again. this has happened 5 times between 2021-2022 and i am currently dealing with a flare up. it feels like a “zapping” feeling in the groin area and it’s all on the right side. my pelvic floor feels heavy, my glute doesn’t work and low back feels numb and achey. currently back on crutches for who knows how long

[eternalfitness]

First! Thank you! I'm a personal trainer and i was going to do a video for my clients on lower back pain and this just came up :)

[danielconnell]

My right groin is in Agony every day from my hour long drive to and from work. I've even tried cbd cream, no dice.

[dunyatv]

Actually suddenly I started feeling in my left testy and after that it was my left groin area where it started to feel pain and after 10 to 15 days it got reduced to 90 ℅ and now suddenly it starts to pain in my groin area can any here diagnosis what it could be

[tuljabhavani]

I have anterior pelvic tilt and whenever I try to do abdominal muscles exercise . I feel a lot of pain in my groin . What should I do ??
I am very poor and I can't afford a doctor for this .pls help

[vishalnayakrx]

Hello,
I have same groin pain for more than 10 years now. I can"t sit down with my leg-cross, cant squat, CANT SPREAD MY LEGS. I have tried everything specially applying medication around the hip area, groin area but i don't see any difference in pain. But when i lay down on my tammy and band my back it feels better in my groin pain. I believe what you have explained in this video is exactly what i have experienced to relieve my groin pain. I live in Michigan i cant come to California. would you please help me?

[dyecaster]

This is precisely the issue I have been dealing with now for a few months. You are describing my request symptoms almost word for word. I have also noticed in the mirror crazy arching going on. Sadly I don't live by you. Please help?

[rayaoccupationaltherapy]

I have this pain in back and front of my pelvic for 5 month 😢. What should I do to improve this pain?

[weezyghang]

Hello and thanks for the video. I am confused and don't know what is going on right now, my lower left side of my back hurts when I put any kind of force towards my testicles, I would greatly appreciate it if you could reply to my comment thank you

[angeldiaz]

3 herniated disc on lower back. This explains it all. Herniations pointing out on left side makes sense why now left groin is bugging. 😏 i wonder what else after groin pain this might develop. Started at disc pain now this is just getting worst threw the yrs 😏😒😔😞 sucks!

[ImpulsoCreativo]

This is my issue and I never knew what it was called. So the irritation on the disc is from overarching right? Obviously bending forward in of itself isn't bad, but is it cuz we're bending, and not from the hips?

[Ellejano]

Thanks for the video...but in Toronto Canada here so maybe list a video of some tip to uplock this spinal lock

[lordful]

Thank you!
But please please tell what. Need to do!
I am in pain!

[DevilsAngel]

My lower back L5-L6 sciatic bulge pain causes my left testicle to hurt. Its a chronic issue from last 6 years.

When the flare up subsides the testicle pain also goes away, so there is a clear correlation. Also the testicle itself is really sore to touch on 2-3 particular nerve points.

But sadly I do not see much research or info on this on the internet, my doctor was also not sure as he hasn’t previously seen such a an issue. I’m tired of this dull and constant ache as sciatic back pain is already bad enough. 😢

[jnutty]

I have alot of pain and tenderness in the front groin are as well as side of hips and buttocks left side.A mri revealed that I have cervical and spinal stenosis as well as arthritis in my back.physical therapy and injections haven't helped much I'm now starting the process of having a spinal cord stimulator implanted, I didn't think at 48 years old I'd be dealing with this madness.

[joaobaltazar]

Are there patients that complain specifically about groin pain while driving?

I've had sports hernia years ago. With lot of phisical therapy the specific pain went alway, but it got chronic in situations like driving. Is that something you guys heard before?