Golf is a game that requires patience, skill and a tolerance towards playing with some discomfort. If you play the game long enough, it is inevitable that you will experience some form of soft tissue discomfort.

The problem with the majority of golfers is that they will wait until something serious has happened to them before they will do anything about it.
The most common injury in golf are sprains and strains to the back. Because the body can be in 3 different planes of motion at any given time throughout the golf swing, the spine is a likely target for recurring trauma. Injuries to the wrist elbow and shoulder are also highly likely.

Lack of adequate flexibility and stability throughout the swing leads to inconsistent results, but can cause soft tissue damage if not addressed.
As a population, we are known to have poor posture and flexibility, which leads to muscle imbalances. If a golfer has these problems it can ruin a good time. The golfer has to be able to rotate every joint in his/her body instantaneously to achieve good results on a consistent basis.
Physical therapy can help restore function, as well as educate the client so you, the golfer, knows how to take better care of yourself. By combining manual therapy with the use of modalities and exercise, the golfer has some hope of playing healthier golf.

Manual therapy is the hands on approach to restoring joint function. When joints are restricted and unable to perform in a functional capacity, a therapist can use joint mobilization techniques, soft tissue massage and proprioceptive neuromuscular reeducation to increase blood flow, flexibility and improve function.

Modalities, meaning machines like ultrasound, electrical stimulation and traction can help with reducing swelling, pain, retard muscle atrophy and elongate soft tissue which will help speed up the healing process.
Exercise is given and instructed by the therapist in such a way that the golfer will understand his or her program and can be continued on a daily basis at home or at a fitness gym once the client has been discharged from therapy.

Exercises that focus on flexibility, stability, posture and core strength will be of great value to the golfer. Using exercise equipment like pulley cables, exercise balls, balance boards and a creative mind will keep you from becoming disinterested and bored.

So if your physical well being is important to you, and are struggling with pain and soreness on a regular basis, check out physical therapy and allow these professionals to get you back on course!

Michael K Butler B.A.;P.T.A.;CSCS;PES;NMT is co owner of Kinetix Health and Performance Center in Palm Desert, specializing in sports performance conditioning and rehabilitation of injuries. Michael can be reached at 760-200-1719. or at kinetixcenter.com.