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Birdie Talk Golf Talk
By Dr. G.P. Sadiwnyk D.C.
Welcome to Birdie Talk Golf Talk. Every issue, we will discuss common injuries that amateur golfers suffer from needlessly that limit them from consistently performing at their best level. The purpose of this series is to point out to amateurs what can be done to correct faulty mechanics, identify proper treatment for injuries and provide some tips to help reduce injury.
Hip Turn
During your hip and shoulder turn, picture your hip and shoulders rotating around your spine much like a top spins. At the full back swing, the shoulders are turned 90 degrees while the hips are turned 45 degrees to their start position. Most of the pressure is placed on the and back leg including the hip, knees, ankles and feet and the lower back. This twisting motion is critical to store energy that is to be released during the down swing. Achieving this position without pain or hindrance is critical to making a good swing.
Common Injuries
In this issue, we will be discussing injuries, which relate to low back pain and hip pain/bursitis.
1. Low back pain
2. Hip Pain/ Bursitis
3. Leg Pain
4. Knee Pain/Swelling
5. Foot Pain/Plantar Fascitis
These injuries restrict the golf swing in two ways. Pain and inflexibility are the two limiting factors mostly responsible for restricting a golfer from making a good golf swing. Due to pain or inflexibility, golfers stop short of a full hip turn in an effort to reduce the level of pain. Most injuries are caused by over stressing joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs and so forth. Another contributing factor to injury is a lack of fitness, which increases your chance of injury.
Low Back Pain
a) Poor Swing Mechanics - Most amateur players have poor golf swing
mechanics. Therefore, most amateurs lack the co-ordination and finesse to make a smooth golf swing. Instead, they swing "harder" at the ball. Swinging harder increases the torsion on the spine increasing your chances of injury. Swinging harder also increases your energy output, which fatigues muscles quicker. A fatigued muscle is more prone to injury. This is why many injuries occur on the back nine rather than on the front nine. My advice to every amateur is to get some golf lessons from a certified teaching professional in your area. It will save you much time and energy.
b) Trauma - Essentially, the repetitive nature of the golf swing can cause trauma to the spine. Some type of twisting motion, lifting or a combination of both causes most low back injuries. The golf swing creates twisting in the spine, trunk and legs which places a great deal of stress on the disc, joints and supporting structure such as the ligaments, tendons and muscles. To minimize the stress placed on these structures, try to warm up and cool down properly. Minimizing your follow through to a three quarter follow through rather than a full follow through with extension in the low back (e.g. Tiger Woods), will also help decrease stress on the spine. Getting regular chiropractic care will help keep the spine and muscles functioning better. Many of the touring PGA professionals see chiropractors regularly. Being proactive about keeping your spine healthy, will decreases your chances of injuring the low back. The choices are simple: if you want to golf, seek chiropractic care; if not, stay at home and watch it on TV.
Hip Pain/Bursitis
a) Pelvic unleveling - Much of the hip pain comes from abnormal forces that are placed on the hip joint and surrounding muscles. Pelvic unleveling causes one leg to be shorter than the other. The pressure of your upper body, which is normally distributed evenly on both legs, is now unevenly distributed to one leg. Studies have been done which show an increase in pressure in the hip joint associated with pelvic unleveling. Once you develop pelvic unleveling, it is only a matter of time before you begin to develop hip pain. Often a diagnosis of hip bursitis is made incorrectly when in fact; pelvic unleveling is the real culprit.
b) Arthritis - Arthritis of the hip can also cause hip pain. X-ray can be used to diagnose this pathology.
c) Muscle Spasm - Another reason for hip pain is from the muscle spasm associated with pelvic unleveling. Many of these muscles affect the hip because they attach to the hip. Of importance are the Gluteus, psoas, piriformis and TFL muscles. Treatment for these conditions includes minimizing the pelvic unleveling through chiropractic adjustments as well as stretching and strengthening the weakened muscles. In cases of severe spasm, massage may help reduce muscle spasm.
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