Adductor pain while practising splits?

Question

For the past three months i have had a pain in my right leg likely in my Adductor muscle when stretching for splits, it is always the same muscle and in the same leg which is limiting to me to improve my split for greater flexibility when kicking.

I have rested it at one stage for four weeks by not training at all but the pain returned when i stretch for a split.

Would sport massage help at all? Any other advice?

Obviously as this is asked in the martial arts section answers like "Stop doing the splits" are a bit silly i do competitive kick boxing so its a little out of the question.

Answer 1

go see a doctor, take time off to let heal, then try this book

"Relax Into Stretch", by Pavel Tsatsouline

he sells it on his website www.dragondoor.com. He's got good stuff about stretching and joint mobility. He's got a cult-like following, so beware the hype, but he is pretty knowledgable. I've got the book and highly recommend it.

Answer 2

You may have partially torn it and not known it and it has healed back. When this happens you can get a build-up of scar tissue depending on how and what you may have done while it was healing. Unfortunately scar tissue does not stretch and react like muscle does. I would start by using some analgesic on the area before each workout like Icy-hot. Along with that I would also start spending more time warming that area up and then isolating and stretching it so that you build the flexibility of it. Look up some exercises on the web or talk to a sports medicine place for stretches and exercises specifically for that area. There are also machines and exercises for building that area up like squeezing a ball between your knees while seated. All of this together may help fix the problem if that is what it is. There is probably little else you can do short of surgery or as some have suggested not doing the splits. I would also add that if you did tear it at some time it is an area that receives poor circulation and so it takes a long time for it to heal and often times it does not heal as well as it once was and that's why professional athletes who tear this and/or their groin and hamstring muscles have persistent problems throughout the remainder of their career.

Answer 3

You can try sports massage, but I'd check into a sports medicine (orthopedic) clinic. It sounds like you may have damaged your leg and need to recuperate. Remember, pain (especially in stretching) is a symptom of damage, not a result of 'getting a good stretch.' If you are hurt in that fashion, continuing to stretch is only going to increase the damage and may prevent you from ever being able to do the splits again.

Answer 4

You must stop doing splits. Not forever now!!! Just until you heal.

See a sports medicine doctor fast. You might even need to stop training for a couple of weeks.

Don't worry about losing anything. The body goes back pretty quickly but you need to be treated.

Injuries like your, depending on how bad it is, can take a while to heal.

Answer 5

Better see an sports M.D. might be something worse than you think ,that much time should have heeled it unless you just keep stretching.Try heat then ice see which feels better.Relax awhile,it took me almost 2 yrs before I could split

Answer 6

Stop doing the splits?

Answer 7

i agree with the last entry ,obviously there is damage and it requires treatment . you need to consult with someone who specialises in sports injury,s. good luck .terry