Is Pain or Instability Holding You Back From Playing?

Estimates suggest that more than 50% of golfers will develop chronic injuries.  Furthermore, in amateur golfers, the most common cause of injury to any part of the body is due to poor body mechanics during swing.  Physical therapy provided by a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified medical specialist can tailor a specific program to improve your body mechanics and thus decrease pain and risk for injury specific to golf.   

While pain can be a common reason for minimizing golf time, instability or fear of falling can also be a limiting factor for some.  A golf-specific evaluation will review static and dynamic balance in addition to core and lower extremity strength.  Fall prevention programs utilizing exercise and motor training have been shown to provide a statistically significant reduction in falls.  Additionally, positive research results have shown the effects of exercise and task-specific training on improving balance and coordination.  However, research has also indicated that older golfers had better static and dynamic balance control as compared to their non-golfing peers.  Therefore, practicing a golf swing in and of itself can also improve stability and strength.  In a nutshell, improved balance can help golf and golf can help improve balance.       

Cristy Wells, PT, DPT has a Medical Level 2 certification through TPI.  As such, she is uniquely qualified to objectively examine biomechanics and the reaction forces/torques that can cause stress on the body during a golf swing.  This can complement the work of Golf Pros by analyzing body mechanics and swing characteristics to ensure the most efficient and effective swing for your specific body.  Working on mobility and strength limitations can translate into an improved golf swing.