The average golfer tends to take up golf at an age when he or she is no longer participating in energetic, competitive and physically demanding sports. Unfortunately, this decreased involvement in competitive play contributes to an overall decrease in flexibility – especially of the spine, shoulders, hips and pelvis (key components of a good golf swing).

Common everyday activities like working on computers or commuting long distances tend to contribute even more to this lack of flexibility. This is important to note because flexibility a key component to improving your game and reducing your pain. Flexibility plays a greater role in golf than just an improved long game – it also decreases the likelihood of experiencing injury while practicing or playing. In fact, one of the causes of golf injuries is a lack of golf-specific flexibility.

The golf swing imparts significant stress on the lower back and not surprisingly, lower back pain is one of the most common complaints amongst golfers. Any limitation in motion of any of these joints will shift the work burden to other “healthier” joints causing unnecessary strain and contributing to increased muscular fatigue (Does your swing improve or degrade as you near the 18th hole?). This can cause serious repetitive motion injury to both the dysfunctional joints and the over-burdened (but otherwise healthy) joints, as well.

According to Jeffry H. Blanchard, golf professional and author of The Geometry of Golf: “The chiropractor is the perfect choice to evaluate, educate, treat, condition and train those who choose to play golf.”

The Chiropractic Solution

Any effort to treat a golf-related injury or improve the golf swing requires a combined approach that addresses both the joint mechanics AND muscle flexibility.Joint mechanics are best addressed with corrective chiropractic adjustments to the affected joints. Strength training focusing on dynamic lumbar stabilisation techniques, rotational flexibility training, assuming a more upright stance, coaching of a “classic ‘golf swing and warming -up before play have shown to be beneficial in preventing golf injuries.*

Chiropractors not only help golfers feel better by readjusting and decompressing their spine , but can also provide advice that helps them prevent future injury and even lower their score.

To hit longer and more powerful golf shots you must be willing to improve your posture and flexibility – the domain of Chiropractic care for over 100 years.

Please call your Chiropractor at BodyKey Chiropractic on (07) 3878 1110 or visit our clinic at Suite 1, 60 Coonan in Indooroopilly Brisbane for more information.

*Gluck GS, Bendo JA, Spivak JM. Thelumbar spine and low back pain in golf: a literature review of swing biomechanics and injury prevention. Spine J. 2008 Sep-Oct;8(5):778-88.