Low Back Pain with Golfing? Trident Physical Therapy has your back!
Golf is a sport that requires a combination of skill, athleticism, and endurance…not to mention PATIENCE! However, golfers are also susceptible to developing low back pain, which can negatively impact their game and overall quality of life. At Trident Physical Therapy, we work with a lot of golfers that simply want to STAY healthy and nip symptoms in the bud before they have the time to progress into something more. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits our patients see working with Trident Physical Therapy when dealing with low back pain during golf.
Low back pain is a common issue among golfers due to the repetitive twisting and bending motions involved in the golf swing. The forces generated during the swing can lead to muscle strains, joint dysfunction, and other injuries that can cause pain and discomfort in the lower back. Many golfers may try to ignore or mask their pain with medication or rest, but these approaches do not address the underlying issues that are causing the pain.
Physical therapy is an effective and non-invasive treatment option for golfers with low back pain. At Trident Physical Therapy, we work with our golfers to develop a customized treatment plan that addresses their specific needs and goals. The following are some of the ways in which working with Trident Physical Therapy in Rockville Centre can benefit golfers with low back pain:
1. Pain Relief: Physical therapy uses a variety of techniques to reduce pain, such as manual therapy. These techniques can help to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and relax tight muscles that are contributing to the pain.
2. Improved Range of Motion: Golfers with low back pain often have limited range of motion, which can negatively impact their swing mechanics. The site of pain IS NOT always the root cause of pain. Our TPI certified performance therapists perform an in-depth full body assessment to find the root cause(s) of your symptoms. We can help to improve mobility in the mid to low back, pelvis, and hips (…to name a few), which can directly lead to a smoother and more efficient golf swing. Mobility BEFORE stability! It is tough to strengthen through a full range of motion if you do not have that motion to begin with. Therefore, we need to improve your mobility first so that we can strengthen the musculature with no issues.
3. Strengthening and Conditioning: Golfers who experience low back pain often have weak or imbalanced muscles that are contributing to their symptoms. Trident Physical therapy’s goal is to identify these weaknesses and develop a strengthening and conditioning program to address them. By strengthening the muscles that support the lower back, golfers can reduce their risk of future injuries and improve their overall golf performance.
4. Education and Prevention: Education is a HUGE aspect of our (p)rehab programs. We provide golfers with education on proper swing mechanics, posture, and body mechanics to help prevent future injuries. Now don’t get us wrong, we are not teaching you how to swing. That is where golf lessons with a coach come in. BUT we work with coaches to help optimize your golf mechanics. We can also recommend modifications to equipment or training programs to reduce the risk of developing low back pain in the future.
As you can see, physical therapy is a valuable treatment option for golfers dealing with low back pain. By addressing the underlying issues causing the pain, physical therapy can help golfers to reduce their symptoms, improve their golf performance, and prevent future injuries. If you are a golfer dealing with low back pain for weeks, months, or even years, it is time to do something about it. It isn’t going to magically go away. You need to be proactive, not reactive. If this sounds like you, reach out to Trident Physical Therapy so that we can help you get back to enjoying your game pain-free.