Playing The Greatest Game Can Result In Injuries Too!
Either you have the bug or you don't...I have recently caught the golf bug as some of you know and so I have been looking into some of the common injuries so I can prevent them before I get them!
Some of you have already realised the benefit of massage for your golf game (so spread the word to your golfing buddies) but there are some other issues to be aware of that may also help your game and bring that score down.
Lets look at some common injuries and some ways to prevent them:
Back Injuries
The golf swing has evolved from a rhythmic flowing movement to one that generates increased power by using a larger shoulder turn and less hip turn. This modern swing technique, based on a tightly coiled body, enables maximum club-head acceleration, but at the cost of increased torque in the back. It leaves the back vunerable at the top of the back-swing and during hyperextension in down-swing and follow-through.
Players with recurrent back pain should change to a smooth, flowing "classic" swing pelvis and shoulders rotate together and forward heel lifts at the top of the back swing- to reduce torque in their spines. In the follow-through, the player should learn to adopt a straight-up body position to avoid hyperextension of the lumbar spine.
Golf Elbow Injuries
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is actually the most common elbow problem for golfers. It occurs on the outer aspect of the left elbow in right handed golfers. It is the contraction of the left elbow extensor mass at impact, to maintain control of the club, that ususally produces the injury. If you had read last months newsletter you would know that rest, ice, regular massage then a gentle strenthening program are the best rehab for this injury. Often the tendon needs to replace itself before the pain goes away.
The other common elbow injury is (you guessed it!) golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis). This is an overuse syndrome involving musculo-tendinous origins of the flexor pronator mass. Swing technique errors such as as "hitting from the top" can create excessive valgus stress on the elbow. Aching pain on the inner side of the elbow, frequently radiating into the forearm. Also weakness of grip strength and pain to resisted wrist pronation and flexion.
Treatment
is similar to that of lateral epicondylitis.
Shoulder Injuries
Rotator cuff impairment will often be the cause of shoulder pain in golfers from middle-age upwards. Electromyographic (EMG) studies of professional golfers have shown that the rotator cuff and especially the subscapularis muscle are highly active throughout the swing. Repeated stress to a degenerating tendon may lead to fibre failure, producing symptoms of bursitis or tendinitis; in cases of signifcant failure, the golfer will feel weakness elevating the shoulder. Patients will usually complain of pain or tenderness in the anterolateral shoulder, crepitus and stiffness.
Plenty of massage, appropriate stretching and strengthening to retore normal range of movement and NSAID's where needed.
Overall improved swing technique and physical fitness are the keys to avoiding any type of golf injury. Strength, flexibility and endurance all play a part: fatigue leads to uncoordinated muscle firing, resulting in injuries. Effective warm-ups, stretching and core-strengthening and regular massage will all lessen injury risk.
Happy Golfing,
Jane
References: Sports Injury Bulletin 2005
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