Common Golf Injuries and How Chiropractic Can Help

A golf swing is an extremely athletic movement that involves the entire body and can cause injury to almost any body structure. Whether you’re an occasional golfer, a serious amateur, or a professional, you’re likely to experience low back pain at some point in your golfing life.

In terms of frequency, low back pain is followed by pain in the shoulders, neck, wrists, elbows, ankles, and knees. Effective treatment requires a proper diagnosis based on thorough evaluation of the patient.

Here are some points to consider:

• Low back pain — Roughly 80% of people will experience low back pain during their lifetime, so it’s no surprise that golfers suffer here. That said, rotation and repetition are two bugbears for back injuries, so, combine that with a powerful swing and we can see how problems arise.
  
  A slightly wider stance will allow more movement to go through the hips and take some of the pressure off your back. Ice and a warm bath can probably help, but if you’re in pain you should consult a trained professional.
  
  
• ‘Golfer’s Elbow’ — The hand muscles are incredibly powerful, and when you are gripping something strongly the tendons are under strain. The problem arises when you combine the gripping force with a powerful swing, generating sheering forces that can build up and cause inflammation that weakens the area. Like any overuse injury, ice is an immediate remedy, but should be followed up with rest and a consultation to review your biomechanics.
  
  
• Shoulder pain — The shoulder is an incredible joint. It is shallow, allowing you an astonishing range of movement, where muscles must move the arm and stabilize the joint at the same time. If one thing goes wrong, it doesn’t take long for this coordination to unravel and some nasty injuries to occur.  With a rotator cuff problem, for example, getting back your full, pain-free range of movement can be complicated. Shoulder pain should not be ignored. If your shoulder is sore, you need to get it treated – early intervention could save you months of trouble.

How Can Our Eugene Chiropractic Doctors Help?
If you are suffering from a pain that is strongly associated with your golfing, it’s a good idea to take a golf club to your consultation, where our chiropractors can study your movements and give you some pointers for mitigating the postural contributors to your problem.

A golf swing involves a powerful spiral force that travels from feet to crown. The body needs to be fit and elastic to control that kind of rotation. Our chiropractic care service will begin with the spine, or core, because that’s often where we find the origin of many problems.

​Many people have core stability issues, which can also predispose them to back injuries, leading to a chain of events where the body can no longer compensate and further injury occurs.

If you’re suffering from acute or chronic back and neck pain caused by a golf injury, contact Pure Life Chiropractic right away. Call us at 541-343-5633 to learn how these gentle and safe treatments will help get you back on your feet and back into your golf game!