Relief from sartorius muscle pain

The sartorius is the longest muscle in a person's body. It is attached to the lower part of the outer hip, crosses the inner thigh and connects to the inside of the knee. Muscle pain in the sartorius region can be caused by running, jumping or from forceful impact. The pain is often felt in the groin area which sometimes makes it difficult for people to lift their knee or bring their legs together. Treatment for this type of injury can include rest, ice, heat and various stretching exercises.

Rest, Ice and Heat

If you have sartorius pain you will probably need an extended period of rest to get over the ailments. This will help prevent further injury to the muscle. It also gives you time to relieve your sartorial pain by using ice and heat. Ice is most effective when it is applied throughout the day at 20-minute intervals. It should be used the first 48 hours after the onset of pain. Ice causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) which alleviates swelling and pain by reducing the flow of blood and lymph fluid to the muscles. Whenever you use ice, make sure you keep it compressed against the muscle. Consider propping your hip up on a pillow. Elevating an injured muscle above your heart can also help reduce inflammation. When the initial swelling has subsided, you can use a heating pad or hot bath to promote blood flow to the sartorius muscle.


You can also use anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen to treat sarorius muscle pain. These medications are COX-2 inhibitors which prevent COX-2 enzymes from stimulating certain body chemicals called prostaglandins. The reaction between the enzymes and these chemicals are the body's natural response to muscle strains or injuries. Try using topical ointments such as Bengay for sartorius muscle pain relief. If your pain and discomfort are more severe, your doctor may prescribe certain muscle relaxants or even steroids to help you get over pain in your sartorius muscle.


When the initial swelling subsides, you can perform certain stretching exercises to relieve your sartorial muscle pain. These exercises help promote blood flow to the muscle.

One exercise is to use an elastic band. While seated, wrap one end around your thigh and step on the other end. Slowly raise your knee up as far as you can, then relax. Repeat the movement 10 times with each leg. Use hand pressure if you do not have an elastic band.

Next, step forward and bend your knees, placing the rear one of the floor. Stretch your sartorius muscle out for up to 30 seconds, then repeat the movement on the other side.

There are many ways to stretch the sartorius muscle. You can spread your legs while seated and stretch it, stretch it with your arms while on your back, or place your leg on an elevated surface and stretch it. The key is to take a gradual approach to stretching and limit the range of motions so you do not experience any increases in pain.

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