The 9 Ten Golf Injuries revealed by We-Fix-U
Golf – A sport which requires time, effort, practice, a great deal of skill, patience and mental fortitude. The magnitude of the swing can put a tremendous amount of pressure and stress on the body and many golfers from rookie to pro have experienced some sort of pain after a round or 10.
The most common injuries by golfers are:
Back pain – About 75-85 percent of people admit to experiencing some sort of back pain during their lifetime and that number is higher among golfers. Golfers spend a lot of time bent over and repetitive motions. These minor strains can easily lead to more severe injuries in the future. In order to keep your back healthy for golf, add exercises and stretches to strengthen your back.
Elbow tendinitis – This is the most common injury affecting the elbow. It has been commonly referred to as “tennis elbow” Tennis elbow effects the outer tendon as where “golfers elbow” effects the inner tendon. Funny enough, many golfers complain more of tennis elbow, then golfers’ elbow. The risk of developing tendinitis increases with age and is more likely to inflict people who routinely perform activities that require repetitive movements.
Knee Pain – Knee pain can occur from strain placed on a weak knee. Extreme force placed on the knee can cause torn ligaments. Arthritis sufferers can experience more knee problems due to the nature of the disease. The gradual wearing of the joint cartilage may cause more pain during physical activities such as golf. Knee pain treatment depends on the problem. Stretching, rest and ice can bring down inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Rotator cuff (Shoulder Pain) – Pain in the shoulder or upper arm can be felt during play or later at night. Injuries can happen for several different reasons: A poorly executed golf swing, hitting an obstacle or from overuse. Golfers can often develop tendonitis, bursitis and tears in the rotator cuff due to the repetitive motions that they use. Modifications to your golf swing, combined with exercise and stretching can alleviate these symptoms and prevent further injury.
Wrist injuries – Repetitive motions and high-speed swings can put your wrists in danger of becoming injured. The most common injury in the wrists for golfers is tendinitis. Wrist movement is dependant on the wrist muscles and if there is swelling in the tendons, pain will be evident. These injuries can be treated and prevented with a golf specific conditioning program prescribed by your Physiotherapist.
Hand and finger injuries – Very much like wrist injuries, the repetative motions of golf and the high speed of the swing put golfers hands at a high risk of injury. These injuries include conditions such as tendinitis, broken or deformed bones or a condition called hypothenar hammer syndrome. Learning a proper grip, avoiding overuse and not hitting balls off an artificial mat can prevent these injuries.
Neck Injuries – Neck injuries are most common in new golfers as they are not used to twisting their bodies in such a manner. Neck muscles are prone to shorten, spasm and freeze the neck into a painful position. Warming up the muscles beforehand, taking more breaks and slowly increasing your playtime will help your neck gradually become more accepting of your new love of the sport. If you are experiencing neck pain, see a physiotherapist before returning to play. Better safe than sorry!
Foot and ankle injury – During a golf swing, the body acts as a whip; power production starts with the feet pushing against the ground. Each foot has its own purpose and moves differently during a golf swing. The back foot must allow for more pronation during the follow-through of the swing. Injuries can happen when the golfer loses his or her footing or balance during the swing. They can often happen because of improper swing mechanics and when hitting a ball off uneven terrain. Ankle sprains, ankle tendinitis in the ankle or foot bones and blisters are the most common injuries that can be sustained during golf. Wearing properly fit golf shoes, custom made orthotics and improving swing mechanics are the most efficient ways to prevent foot or ankle injuries. See a chiropodist to learn more.
Hip Injuries – The hip is prone to injury during golf even though the hip joint is usually very mobile and capable of withstanding large amounts of stress. During a golf swing, there is pivoting and twisting which increases the likelihood of injury. The hip often is subjected to repeated abduction and flexion/extension forces. This requires a great deal of control throughout the gluteal muscles and the abductor muscle complex. It is also these forces that can cause other injuries such as groin strains and low back injuries. Warming up muscles before play is imperative to injury prevention. Adding flexibility and strength to the muscles that surround the hip will also increase your chances of having an injury free game.
Prevention is the key to avoiding the most common golf injuries and can be done with the help of your We-ix-U Physiotherapist, Chiropodist, Chiropractor and Massage Therapist. Working on improving swing mechanics, participating in conditioning programs, purchasing properly fitted equipment, keeping practice sessions short and sweet and performing a warm up routine which includes stretching will ensure that you are PAIN FREE while getting that next hole in one! If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, call our clinic TODAY to see how we can help you.
