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07.18.14 Physiotherapy – Keeping You Golfing On the Right Course
The golf season is one of the most anticipated amongst both amateur and seasoned golfers. The sport is indeed an interesting one to play but also there is a catch to it. Looking at the mechanics that are involved in golfing, you will immediately realize the susceptibility to injury faced by the players. Being a physically demanding sport, golf has its fair share of injuries. Physiotherapists play such a critical role in ensuring that the injuries are prevented and in the event they occur, the golfer gets back to his feet soon enough. The Common Golf InjuriesThrough observation and research, golf injuries revolve around the elbow, the lower back and the wrist. This is because of the fact that these areas are the most used in the golfing activity. One of the contributing factors in these injuries is poor setup or inappropriate posture prior to taking a swing. Essentially, when taking a swing the spine should be straight, the rear end stuck out a little bit and the stomach drawn in. This position will create a bouncy feel when you take your swing. The SwingMost of the injuries are caused by the swing. This is especially the case with low back injuries which involves the spinal joints and the discs. The lower back is usually not suited for motions involving twisting. Whenever it is subjected to such motions, it immediately sprains leading to a displacement of a vertebral discs. There are two main types of swings that is the modern swing and the classic swing. The Classic Swing – This type of swing involves a large shoulder and hip turn taking the golfer to an “I” finishing position. At this finishing posture, the trunk is usually straight from top to bottom and directly over the hips. The Modern Swing – As opposed to the classic swing, the modern swing involves an increased shoulder turn which in turn accelerates the force of the swing curve through the back and shoulders. Here, the hip turn is restricted and the golfer ends up in a reverse “C” position where the spine is twisted more than in the classic swing. This particular type of swing has been associated with low back trouble because of the hyper-extension of the low back. Preventive Physiotherapy Exercises There are a number of preventive exercises that physiotherapists recommend or take you through so as to strengthen your joints and to help you avoid injuries. Some of these include:Swing Warm UpHere, the golfer takes three swings while working himself up to the drivers. The initial swing should be minimal about 50% of your full swing. The next one should cover three-quarters and the last should be a full swing. This sequence should be performed for each club. Trunk RotationWhile standing or seated, you can rotate your trunk in one direction and hold for about 10 seconds. Then repeat it 10 times before coming to the init