Preventing and Treating Common Golf Injuries: Swing Smarter, Play Longer

Golf is a game of precision, technique, and focus, but it also places unique physical demands on the body. Despite being a relatively low-impact sport, golf can lead to a variety of injuries, especially when poor swing mechanics, muscle imbalances, or repetitive stress take their toll. At Ascend Sports Chiropractic, we specialize in helping golfers stay on the course, injury-free, while optimizing their performance through expert care and rehabilitation.

Common Golf Injuries and Their Causes

Golf-related injuries typically result from repetitive motions, poor technique, or overuse. Here are some of the most common injuries golfers face:

• Lower Back Pain: Perhaps the most common golf-related complaint, lower back pain often results from the rotational forces involved in the golf swing. When muscles in the back, hips, and core are weak or imbalanced, the spine bears the brunt of this repetitive twisting motion, leading to discomfort, muscle strains, or even disc issues.

• Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): This injury occurs when the tendons on the inside of the elbow become inflamed due to repetitive stress, often from gripping and swinging the club. Over time, this can cause pain, tenderness, and difficulty gripping or lifting objects.

• Shoulder Injuries (Rotator Cuff Strain or Impingement): The shoulders are heavily involved in the golf swing, particularly in the backswing and follow-through. Weak or tight shoulder muscles, combined with improper swing mechanics, can lead to injuries such as rotator cuff strain, impingement, or even labral tears.

• Hip Pain: Golf places a high demand on the hips due to the rotational forces generated in the swing. Hip pain often arises from overuse or mobility restrictions, which can cause compensatory movements that strain surrounding muscles and joints.

• Wrist Injuries (Tendonitis or Sprain): The repetitive impact of striking the ball, combined with gripping the club, can cause inflammation or sprain in the wrist tendons, leading to pain and decreased range of motion.

How We Help: Chiropractic Care and Functional Rehabilitation

At Ascend Sports Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to treating and preventing golf injuries. Our goal is to not only relieve pain but also address the root causes of your injury to prevent recurrence and enhance your performance on the course.

1. Comprehensive Assessment and Diagnosis

The first step in our process is a thorough evaluation of your injury and overall biomechanics. We use tools such as TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Screening and Kinetisense 3D movement screening to assess how your body moves, identify any imbalances or restrictions, and pinpoint the areas that are most vulnerable to injury.

For golfers, this often involves looking at the entire kinetic chain—from your feet to your wrists—to understand how different body parts are contributing to your swing mechanics. Weakness or dysfunction in one area can lead to compensatory movements that place stress on another part of the body, increasing the risk of injury.

2. Chiropractic Adjustments for Optimal Alignment

Once we’ve identified the source of your pain or dysfunction, we use chiropractic adjustments as one of our tools to restore proper alignment and improve joint function. Joint restrictions in the spine, hips, or shoulders can restrict your mobility and make it difficult to swing with precision and power. By addressing these issues, we help your body move more efficiently and reduce the risk of further injury.

For example, if you’re experiencing lower back pain, spinal manipulation or mobilization can restore proper joint motion and biomechanics, reducing pain and allowing for better rotational movement during your swing.

3. Active Release Techniques (ART®) for Soft Tissue Treatment

Golf injuries often involve soft tissue damage, such as muscle strains, tendonitis, or adhesions in the muscles and fascia. We use Active Release Techniques (ART®) to target these specific areas and break up adhesions that may be restricting your movement.

ART® is a hands-on technique that combines precise pressure with active movement of the affected tissue. By lengthening and releasing tight muscles and tendons, we help improve your flexibility, relieve pain, and restore normal function. This is especially effective for treating conditions like golfer’s elbow, shoulder strain, and hip flexor tightness.

4. Strengthening and Mobility Training

To prevent re-injury and improve your performance on the course, we integrate functional strengthening and mobility exercises into your treatment plan. Our programs are designed to address the specific demands of golf and help you build strength, stability, and flexibility in the key areas involved in your swing.

We focus on exercises such as:

• Core Stability Work: Strong core muscles are essential for protecting your lower back and generating power in your swing. We incorporate exercises that target the deep core muscles, such as planks, side bridges, and rotational movements.

• Hip Mobility Drills: To ensure smooth and efficient hip rotation during your swing, we work on improving your hip mobility with drills like the 90/90 stretch, hip flexor stretches, and leg swings.

• Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Strengthening: We design exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff and improve shoulder stability, such as external rotations, band pull-aparts, and shoulder blade retractions.

• Wrist and Forearm Conditioning: For those dealing with golfer’s elbow or wrist pain, we include forearm strengthening and stretching exercises to improve grip strength and reduce strain on the tendons.

5. Golf-Specific Performance Enhancement

As a certified TPI® (Titleist Performance Institute) practitioner, Dr. Merritt provides golf-specific assessments and training to help you optimize your swing mechanics and play with more power and precision. This may include analyzing your swing to identify inefficiencies and working on posture, balance, and coordination to improve your overall performance.

Preventing Golf Injuries Before They Happen

In addition to treating injuries, we’re passionate about helping golfers prevent them in the first place. By focusing on proper biomechanics, strengthening key muscles, and maintaining mobility, you can significantly reduce your risk of injury and keep playing the game you love for years to come.

We recommend regular chiropractic check-ups to ensure your spine, hips, and shoulders remain in optimal alignment, especially if you’re playing frequently or competing. Periodic soft tissue work and movement assessments can also help identify any areas of tightness or weakness before they become problematic.

Get Back on the Course with Confidence

At Ascend Sports Chiropractic, we’re here to support you in your golfing journey—whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to improve your game. Our evidence-based approach to care helps you stay strong, flexible, and pain-free so you can focus on playing your best.

Ready to take your golf game to the next level? Schedule a consultation with us today and let’s work together to keep you swinging smarter, playing longer, and feeling your best.