Osteopathy & Golf

Are you suffering with a golfing injury or are you are looking to prevent injury? Would like advice on how to optimise biomechanical movement and functional control in order to improve your game. If so, come and visit Sam, he is our expert in treating golfing injuries.

At Osteobath, we adhere to the fundamental principle of osteopathy: viewing the body as a unified whole. This means we don't merely address isolated areas of discomfort. For instance, if a patient comes in with lower back pain, we recognize that it could stem from various interconnected factors, such as tight hip flexors or limited mobility in the mid spine. When assessing a golfer, we examine the entirety of the kinetic chain engaged during the golf swing, understanding that optimal function requires attention to the entire system, not just individual parts.

Aims of osteopathic treatment for golfers

  • Recover from existing injury

  • Prevent injury

  • Optimise performance

There are general two type of injuries: acute injuries typically stem from a single, sudden event, such as striking a submerged tree root in a sand trap. On the other hand, overuse injuries develop gradually over time, often as a result of the repetitive stress placed on your back and shoulders during the swinging motion. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper injury prevention and management in golf.

Common golfing injuries

  • Lower Back Pain: the lumbar spine or lower back is one of the most common injury sites among golfers. The golf swing often culminates in the extension of the lower back. Effective control and strength of the abdominal muscles play a crucial role in averting excessive strain on the lower back, which could otherwise lead to disc and facet joint injuries.

  • Upper-Mid Back Pain: achieving good trunk rotation is crucial during the golf swing. Specifically, the thoracic spine—the region of the spine connected to the ribs—plays a pivotal role in driving the overall movement of the trunk. Constraints in this area can result in undue strain on the lower back and neck, leading to a shortened swing length and reduced swing efficiency. In compensating for restricted thoracic movement, other joints may overcompensate by becoming overly mobile.

  • Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) and Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): This condition involves inflammation of the tendons on the inside and outside of the elbow, respectively. It can be caused by the repetitive motion of swinging a golf club.

  • Shoulder Pain: Rotator cuff injuries and strains can occur due to the repetitive motion of swinging a golf club.