Golf is a popular sport enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. However, like any physical activity, it can also lead to injuries. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, it’s important to understand the common injuries associated with golf and how physiotherapy can help in preventing and treating them.
Golf-related injuries can range from minor strains to more serious issues like low back pain, golfer’s elbow or rotator cuff injuries. While some injuries can be prevented by proper technique and warm-up, others may require the expertise of a physiotherapist to help you get back on the course pain-free.
Our golf physiotherapists also liaise with golf coaches to integrate your physical health with the technical expert of your game.
Whether you’re looking to improve your game or recover from an injury, understanding the benefits of physiotherapy in golf is essential for staying healthy and injury-free on the green.
The top ten golf-related injuries and how physiotherapy can help
Golf is a fantastic sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. However, like any sport, it can also lead to injuries. Here are the top ten most common golf injuries and how physiotherapy can help:
1. Low back pain
This is the most common golf injury, accounting for 18% and 54% of all reported cases. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor swing mechanics, overuse, and tight muscles. Physiotherapy can help improve flexibility, strength, and posture, which can all help to reduce pain and prevent future injuries. mhealth also uses computerised strength assessment equipment (https://www.mhealth.com.au/med-x/) for the low back and the rest of the body (https://www.mhealth.com.au/axit-system/).
2. Rotator cuff injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries can be caused by repetitive overhead motions, such as those involved in the golf swing. Physiotherapy can help reduce pain, improve strength and range of motion, and prevent future injuries. Our AxIT system is a leading edge sports physio tool (https://www.mhealth.com.au/axit-system/) that quantifies how strong you really are so we can plan appropriately for your rehabilitation or for your strength and conditioning programme.
3. Elbow tendinitis
This is a condition that causes pain in the elbow joint. There are two types of elbow tendinitis that can affect golfers: golfer’s elbow (pain on the inner side of the elbow) and tennis elbow (pain on the outer side of the elbow). Physiotherapy can help reduce pain, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles around the elbow.
Our AxIT system is a leading edge sports physio tool (https://www.mhealth.com.au/axit-system/) that quantifies how strong you really are so we can plan appropriately for your rehabilitation or for your strength and conditioning programme.
4. Wrist pain
Wrist pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including overuse, poor grip strength, and impact. Physiotherapy can help reduce pain, improve flexibility and strength, and teach you how to grip the club properly for sensational release through the ball.
Our AxIT system is a leading edge sports physio tool (https://www.mhealth.com.au/axit-system/) that quantifies how strong you really are so we can plan appropriately for your rehabilitation or for your strength and conditioning programme.
5. Knee pain
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including overuse, poor swing mechanics, and previous injuries. Physiotherapy can help improve flexibility, strength, and balance, which can all help reduce pain and prevent future injuries.
Our AxIT system is a leading edge sports physio tool (https://www.mhealth.com.au/axit-system/) that quantifies how strong you really are so we can plan appropriately for your rehabilitation or for your strength and conditioning programme.
6. Hip pain
Hip pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including arthritis, bursitis, and muscle strains. Physiotherapy can help improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion in the hip joint.
Our AxIT system is a leading edge sports physio tool (https://www.mhealth.com.au/axit-system/) that quantifies how strong you really are so we can plan appropriately for your rehabilitation or for your strength and conditioning programme.
We also run group golf fitness classes and osteoarthritis-specific classes for the lower limb.
7. Ankle sprains
Ankle sprains are a common injury that can occur when the ligaments in the ankle are stretched or torn. Physiotherapy can help reduce pain, swelling, inflammation, and improve stability in the ankle joint. The ankles are the foundation of the golf swing – especially that lead leg!
8. Neck pain
Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, overuse, and stress. Physiotherapy can help improve flexibility, strength, and posture, which can all help reduce pain and prevent future injuries. What’s the point of putting well if you can’t can’t turn quickly enough to see the ball go in the hole?
9. Shin splints
Shin splints are a pain along the shinbone that is caused by increased walking, poor lower limb mechanics, poor footwear or hard surfaces. Physiotherapy gets to the source of the problem. We help reduce pain, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles in the lower leg to keep you on course and scoring well.
10. Herniated disc
A herniated disc is a condition in which the soft material between the vertebrae in the spine bulges out. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs. Physiotherapy can help to improve flexibility, strength, and core stability, which can all help to reduce pain and improve function.
If you are experiencing any pain while golfing, it is important to see a physiotherapist to get a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Physiotherapy can help you recover from your injury and get back to playing golf as soon as possible. We have rehabilitated thousands of golfers with low back pain over the last 30 years. Good clinical management and tools like our computerised MedX machine (https://www.mhealth.com.au/med-x/) are the keys to golfing success after injury.
Common causes for the top ten golf-related injuries
The rapid and repetitive nature of a golf swing necessitates great levels of power, speed, and mobility in the golfer’s body. Counterpoint to this is the endurance to walk 14,000 steps in a round and stand for 4+ hours.
Deficits in these areas such as poor warm up, decreased general fitness, poor joint flexibility, weakness in muscles, and inappropriate technique all need to be addressed to minimise the chance of injury.
Final thoughts
Physiotherapy is a crucial aspect of treating and preventing the top ten golf-related injuries. By working with a skilled physiotherapist, golfers can improve their flexibility, strength, and overall performance on the course.
So, if you want to stay at the top of your game and avoid being sidelined by injuries, make sure to incorporate physiotherapy into your golf routine. Your body will thank you, and your swing will too!
Book an appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists today for a comprehensive assessment and customised treatment plan
