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Movement
4/30/24
Golfing isn't just a sport—it's a lifestyle! But let's face it, hitting the links can sometimes feel like a full-body workout, especially when those pesky aches and pains start creeping in. We know that feeling. You are standing 30 yards behind your group on the fairway, wondering if your three wood is enough to get you pin high. Maybe, just maybe, today will be the day you hit it clean, and the birdie of your dreams awaits you. But usually today is not the day, and your next walk is a slow, dejected one to the front bunker or tree-line. It is exactly that sorry amble to the green that pushes you through the doors of your closest pro shop, and soon $350 appears on your next credit card statement in the hope that THIS driver is the one you can hit further and more consistently.
Put that brand new club down, my friend. Your own driver is not even a year old and I promise you the design guys at Titleist have done a fine job in creating it. The variable is not your technology, it's your own mobility, strength, and inability to recreate the same movement pattern every single time you step up to the ball. The golf swing is complex, but one of the most important factors that determines success is the mobility of the player. Unfortunately, mobility and flexibility tend to decrease with age, and it takes consistent work to restore or maintain it; however, doing that work will likely lead to increased yardage, more consistency, and less pain through the low back and hips. Thoracic mobility allows for increased rotation of the rib cage on the pelvis, allowing for increased head speed, which we love to see.
Maintaining your mobility can begin with making sure you warm up and stretch both before and after a round (no sneaking off straight to the bar!). You can also test your thoracic rotation by sitting in a chair, and seeing how far you can turn your upper body without your bottom shifting in the seat. This is a great start to increasing your range of motion, and getting your body used to the movement.
However, injuries can happen to anyone, even on the golf course, where relaxation and leisure are often the focus. Strained muscles from a powerful swing or a misalignment from poor posture during a game, golfing injuries can be painful and debilitating. So, the question is: what can we do to help? Let's get that spine back in line! Chiropractic adjustments can work wonders for realigning your spine and easing that nagging back pain. By addressing any misalignments or imbalances, we'll help you regain that full range of motion and get back to swinging with confidence.
Shoulder Soreness: Those constant swings can lead to some serious shoulder strain. Whether it's rotator cuff issues, tendonitis, or just plain old wear and tear, let's give those shoulders a little care and get you back to hitting those long drives like a pro.
Elbow Pain: Golfers may develop elbow pain due to the repeated gripping and swinging of the club, particularly if their technique is flawed or if they use clubs that aren’t the right fit. Whether it's medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) or lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), those twinges in your elbows can put a serious damper on your game.
Wrist and Hand Strain: Grip it and rip it, they say. But all that forceful swinging can leave your wrists feeling a little worse for wear. From tendonitis to carpal tunnel syndrome, those wrist woes can seriously cramp your style on the course.
Golfing should be all about fun in the sun, not dealing with nagging aches and pains. So, if you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned pro, let's team up to keep you swinging smoothly and enjoying every moment on the course. Here's to teeing off pain-free and making every round your best one yet.
