Don't Let Injury Sideline Your Golf Game

Golf is one of a few activities that people of all ages and skill levels can play. But, as with all sports, injury can occur. The low back is the most common injury sustained while playing golf, and the dynamic action of the golf swing is a major contributing factor to injury. Overuse injuries predominate in the professional golfer, and recreational golfer injury tends to occur secondary to an incorrect golf swing. Upper limb injuries are also common due to their role in linking the fast moving golf club with the power-generating torso. Fortunately, injury from a club or ball strike is rare. More common are the overuse injuries associated with the back, neck and shoulder. Most golf injury data have been collected retrospectively and further epidemiological study of a prospective nature is required to determine injury incidence and factor relating to the onset of injury. A statement from the American Chiropractic Association explains: As many of us know, golf is a challenging, and often frustrating sport. Many golfers feel the psychological component of golf is their greatest challenge and undervalue the biomechanics and conditioning that are required to play the game well. This is a mistake that eventually leads to poor play or injury. An extreme amount of compressive force – up to 10 times a person’s body weight – is exerted on the spine during the golf swing. Every joint involved in the swing is taken through its maximum range. If the body is not properly prepared to handle these forces, injury will eventually result.

Elbow pain is another common complaint among recreational golfers due to the lack of golf-specific flexibility; such as bending their elbow during the backswing, then hyperextending the elbow during the downswing. For tour pros, wrist injuries are prevalent, because on a professional level, players have to hit the ball where it lies, often out of deep, thick rough.

Chiropractic care improves function, balance, and reduces pain associated with the grind of repetitive movement patterns involved with the golf swing. Chiropractic physicians treat golf-related injuries and imbalances when they occur, but determining what is happening in your golf swing to cause the injury is most important. With regular maintenance chiropractic care, proper conditioning of your core musculature, and a good golf stretching and warm up routine, you can boost your game and avoid the injuries so common in recreational golfers.