| Why am I in pain when I golf? | | | | "golfers elbow" is an overuse injury. What occurs is |
| Well, this is a complex question that can't really be | | | | muscles in the forearm that attach to the elbow in this |
| answered without understanding golf. Although a | | | | location are getting stressed. "Golfers elbow" can also |
| traditional sport golf is becoming more popular due to | | | | occur due to a golfer hitting their club against the |
| the success of golfers like Tiger Woods. Even though | | | | ground during a missed swing or when taking a large |
| golf can be played for many years as opposed to | | | | divot. Pain on the outside of the elbow is known as |
| something like football, it can still put a lot of wear and | | | | lateral epicondylitis a.k.a "tennis elbow". "Tennis elbow" |
| tear on the body. Professional golfers actually have | | | | is often associated with the golfer gripping the club too |
| more low back problems than athletes in any other | | | | firmly, trying to maintain a straight lead arm or having |
| sport. | | | | weak shoulder muscles leaving the elbow to try and |
| The swing of the golfer can be broken down into 5 | | | | generate most of the power. |
| stages: the take away, the backswing, the downswing, | | | | So what do I do to avoid injury? |
| the acceleration and the follow through. Pain in | | | | Try implementing a warm up routine in your golf game. |
| different stages of the swing can often indicate | | | | Research has shown golfers who have a warm up |
| different injuries. Golfers usually experience injury for | | | | routine of 10 minutes or more experience less injuries, |
| three main reasons 1) faulty swing mechanics 2) | | | | a better handicap and even a faster club head speed |
| overuse and 3) hitting an object other then the ball. | | | | of up to 10m/s. However no one wants to get hurt |
| What are some common golfer injuries? | | | | before even warming up. For golfers who drive a long |
| Research has stated that most injuries in golf tend to | | | | time to get to the course or morning golfers a few |
| occur in the leading shoulder, the elbow and the low | | | | minutes should be taken before attempting to warm |
| back. However, the mechanics of golf can affect the | | | | up. Three things are to be achieved while warming up. |
| whole body. A good golfer needs to incorporate both | | | | First, it's important to prepare your body for a long day |
| upper body flexibility and power from their legs in order | | | | of swinging. Try to increase your body temperature by |
| to be efficient. When one region lacks motion other | | | | performing simple warm up exercises but avoid |
| areas may compensate and cause injury. Adding to | | | | anything involving bending the back forward. The |
| this concept, studies have shown that golfers who | | | | second thing is to stretch as many muscles as |
| sustain back injuries tend to have less hip rotation. | | | | possible. If muscles are stiff and not stretched more |
| A lot can be said about a golfer when observing their | | | | injuries can occur. The third goal of a warm up is to do |
| finishing position. There are two main finish positions, | | | | something specific to your sport. The most common |
| the "I" position and the "C" position. The "I" position is | | | | warm up routine is air swings. These should be done |
| when the shoulders, torso and hips are aligned, with a | | | | for 30 seconds while increasing the range of motion |
| neutral spine. In the "C" position the back is extended | | | | and power in each swing. |
| or bent away from the leading side. The "C" position | | | | Another suggestion to avoid injury involves carrying a |
| often means a golfer is not rotating their hips and | | | | golf bag. Try getting a golf bag which has two straps |
| shoulders together due to bad form or trying to | | | | allowing forces to be distributed evenly. If you have a |
| overpower the ball. By ending in this "C" position a | | | | one strapped golf bag try alternating shoulders |
| golfer puts extra force into the back area that is not | | | | throughout the day. There is even some suggestion |
| needed. Get a friend to videotape your swing to find | | | | this can help train a back to endure forces. Also, put |
| out which position you fall into. | | | | the heaviest clubs in the department closest to your |
| The shoulder is another area subjected to injury in golf. | | | | back for this helps distribute the weight to your body. |
| If an older golfer experiences pain in their lead shoulder | | | | When all else fails get a trolley or a golf cart. The last |
| during their backswing it may be arthritis. This position | | | | suggestion is try not to overdo it. Golfers who play 4 |
| can jam the bones of the shoulder together and cause | | | | or more rounds a week sustain twice as many injuries |
| pain in these individuals. If experiencing pain during the | | | | as other golfers. So remember when on the green it's |
| follow through of a swing the person may be | | | | ok to play mean, but until then make sure to take ten. |
| experiencing what's called shoulder instability. This | | | | For more information on golf injuries or to get |
| means certain muscles around the shoulder are weak | | | | assessed and treated for one contact me at the |
| and allowing more movement to occur in the shoulder | | | | information below Writers note- If you have a question |
| then we would like. | | | | about general health, muscles or joints or even a |
| Elbow problems can occur on either the inside or | | | | suggestion for an article comment below with your |
| outside of the elbow. When pain occurs on the inside | | | | suggestions. Check out my blog |
| of the elbow, this may be what's called medial | | | | sportinjuriesandwellnessottawa.blogspot. |
| epicondylitis a.k.a "golfers elbow". Most commonly | | | | |