Psoas Muscle Groin Pain: What You Should Know

The psoas is a deep hip-flexor muscle that connects the lower spine with the upper thigh. Pain may be felt in the front of the hip or groin and can become sharper when lifting the knee, climbing stairs, running, or rising from a chair. Hip stiffness, a change in training, prolonged sitting, or reduced strength in nearby muscles can increase load on the area. Similar groin symptoms can also occur with hip impingement, a labral tear, or hip osteoarthritis, so the location alone does not identify the cause.

Temporarily reduce movements that clearly reproduce the pain while keeping comfortable daily activity. Short, easy walks may be reasonable if they do not worsen symptoms. A clinician or physiotherapist can assess hip movement, muscle strength, gait, and the way the pain began, then guide gradual mobility and strengthening. Sports physiotherapy may help active people return to running or training with a paced plan. Avoid forceful stretching or deep massage into a painful area until the cause is clearer.

Arrange an assessment if pain persists, keeps returning, limits walking or sleep, or follows a sudden injury. Seek urgent care for severe pain after significant trauma, inability to bear weight, a rapidly enlarging groin swelling, fever with a hot or swollen joint, or new weakness or numbness. Sudden abdominal or testicular pain also needs prompt medical evaluation because it may not be coming from the psoas.

Ask what movements point toward a psoas problem, whether the hip joint or another groin structure should be checked, and which activities are safe while symptoms settle. You can also ask how progress will be measured and when strengthening or sport-specific activity should begin.