Golf is one of a few sports that people of all ages and skill levels can play together. Unfortunately like all sports, injuries can occur while playing, with the low back being the most common injury reported by golfers.
According to a review of the golf injury research by McHardy, Pollard, & Luo in 2006, they found that the low back accounted for 23.7 – 34.5% of all golf related injuries.
Furthermore, they compared the swings of amateurs and professionals, finding that amateurs had increased variability of their swing, while professionals produced a nearly identical swing each time they played a full shot.
Thus, the increased variability of the amateurs’ swings led to greater muscle activity and load in the low back, potentially leading to an injury.
So how can Physio help?
Physiotherapists like to think of the body as alternating mobile and stable segments that all need to work together to produce movement.
The problem is that due to repetitive movements (sittings, standing, walking in a straight line) we often lose mobility in certain segments of the body such as the hips and thorax. Forcing other segments nearby like the low back to try and take up the slack leading to dysfunctional movement patterns and potential injury risk.
Interestingly the Titleist Performance Institute found that restricted hip and thorax mobility were two of the most common findings in amateur male golfers.
So by booking an appointment for physiotherapy we can assess your mobility and determine if there are any segments of your body that are limiting your golf swing and leading to dysfunctional movement patterns. Not only will I help to improve your alignment, biomechanics and control, we will also bridge the gap between rehab and performance, taking your golf game to the next level.
Physiotherapy at Chilliwack Golf Academy
Chilliwack Golf Academy has welcomed Jeff Rolland as our new, resident physiotherapist. Jeff is an evidence-based physiotherapist bridging the gap between rehab and performance.
Utilizing a blend of manual therapy, intramuscular stimulation (IMS), and exercise Jeff will help you recover from any and all injuries and help your golf game.
Click below to book an appointment with Jeff Rolland, MPT, BSc. Kin (Hons), IMS, TPI Certified.
References:
McHardy, A., Pollard, H., & Luo, K. (2006). Golf injuries: A review of the literature. Sports Medicine, 36(2), 171-187
Titleist Performance Institute. (2018). Physical screening: Unlocking the body’s potential. TPI Nevada Star I
