Osteitis Pubis

Groin Pain In Sport

Athletes frequently suffer from groin pain. This can have a profoundly negative effect on physical performance, mental attitude and the will to win - but it can be cured.

Usually labelled osteitis pubis or "OP", the pain most often originates from inflammation of the insertion of the large adductor muscles into the pubic bone deep in the groin – so-called adductor tendonitis. These muscles are located on the inside of the thigh and are responsible for pulling the leg in towards the midline. (See figure) Sometimes X-ray examination can show changes to this attachment area, but there is no consensus regarding their significance. Pain can occur while exercising or even at rest and the affected area may be very tender when pressed.

One of the least understood injuries in sports medicine, OP creates heartsink for doctors, physiotherapists, trainers and other sports-related health professionals. Why? Because they know there is little can be done about it other than surgery which doesn't always work and that the athlete could be out of action for some time.

All manner of treatments are used by trainers, physiotherapists, etc. – ice, heat, rest, exercise, massage, anti-inflammatory medication - oral and topical. Results are usually disappointing and the condition often becomes chronic.

The following is a true story which prompted me to write this article.

Recently I saw a 40 year old jockey who had suffered groin pain since age 10. The pain was so bad his quality of life was virtually ruined. Surgeons even explored inside his scrotum as they thought the pain may be coming from his testicle, but everything was normal.

My examination revealed marked limitation of leg movement and exquisite tenderness over the insertion of his adductor muscles. A classic case of OP!

I massaged in a little Superbalm over the tender area. Ten minutes later he had full movement of his leg and walked without pain for the first time in 30 years. At follow up a month later, he remained pain-free.

Hard to believe, I know, but you have my word for it…and this patient was only one of many I have treated over the years who also recovered from OP using wheatgrass. So far, I have not had a treatment failure.

How does it work? Wheatgrass can act as a powerful anti-inflammatory. This may have something to do with pain relief, but when it works so quickly as in this case, the cause of OP (generally regarded as disordered musculo-skeletal mechanics) needs to be reviewed. It can hardly be due solely to mechanical causes. One must therefore find another mechanism.

My theory, based on thousands of clinical observations and considerable research over 15 years, suggests there may be an autoimmune component to the pain of OP. When an individual is under sustained physical and mental pressure, the body's immune system can become compromised. The immune system then attacks normal tissue such as tendon attachments in OP and plantar fasciitis. Wheatgrass, being a potent immunomodulator, is able to eliminate part or all of this component.

This may or may not be so, but I believe I'm on the right track simply because wheatgrass works for OP better than any other treatment modality I am aware of.

Dr. Chris Reynolds. M.B.,B.S.

Read More about wheatgrass and sports injuries

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