As the weather starts to warm up in Seattle, many people begin to dust off their golf clubs. Golf is a wonderful form of outdoor exercise that requires strength, flexibility, and endurance. However, proper golf form is essential in preventing overstress injuries commonly found in recreational or even professional golfers. Renew Physical Therapy is fortunate to have multiple golfers on staff who are experts in the management of golf-related injuries. This month, we sat down with, Brian Pham, physical therapist at Renew Physical Therapy, to get his thoughts on golf body mechanics.
Q: What are the most common golf-related injuries?
A: The most common golf-related injuries are low back pain, elbow tendinitis, wrist injuries, and shoulder/rotator cuff conditions. These injuries can be caused by a variety of factors including poor swing mechanics, overuse, and inadequate warm-up.
Q: How do swing mechanics affect your likelihood of injury?
A: An improper golf swing can affect the likelihood of injury by putting stress on different parts of your body in a non-optimal way. High-speed swings that are repeated with poor mechanics expose golfers to injury risk, especially if there is a pre-existing musculoskeletal condition.
Q: When should you seek out physical therapy for a golf-related injury?
A: You should seek out a physical therapist if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort while playing golf or afterward. Early intervention is key in preventing further injury and getting (and staying) back on the golf course. Renew Physical Therapy offers our Golf Rehab Program to help prevent and treat golf-related injuries.
Q: How can a physical therapist help if you are injured playing golf or can’t play golf due to an injury?
A: A physical therapist can perform a swing analysis and movement evaluation to determine the root cause of your injury. They can also create a personalized treatment plan, which includes exercises to improve strength and flexibility, as well as provide education on proper golf-specific warm-up routines to reduce the risk of future injuries.
Q: What are some basic exercises or stretches to reduce your likelihood of injury while playing golf?
A: Open book stretches and lower trunk rotations are great for golfers because they help isolate upper-body and lower-body rotation, which is key for an effective golf swing. Core strengthening and balance exercises also help to improve posture and stability.
If you are recovering from an injury as an experienced golfer or you are just starting out, give our front desk a call and receive quality care through our Golf Rehab Program at Renew Physical Therapy.
Author: Brian Pham, PT, DPT, CSCS
