Back:
A targeted strength and mobility program for the back can not only reduce pain but it has also been shown to improve backswing hip turn and accuracy in golf (2). Physiotherapy programs will help you work towards a range of rotational movement as well as strengthen your back to handle rapid rotation during your swing.
 
Hips:
Along with other areas, the hips have been recognised to contribute to maximising distance and accuracy in golf (3). Other studies have also recognised, a correlation between hip rotation range of motion asymmetry and low back pain, suggesting that golfers experiencing low back pain need to also take their hips into strong consideration.
 
While these are key parts to managing or preventing pain while maximising your golf, a tailored assessment and program based on your history and body is the key to success.


Watch our videos about Thoracic Spine Health for even more info! Click on the images below !

Do you get aches and pains after even 9 holes of golf? Are you getting less movement from your body and it’s costing you your handicap?

Unfortunately, golf is not the exception to sporting injuries with up to 80% of golfers experiencing back pain at some stage. Of this percentage, too many cases are likely to have recurring and relapsing symptoms form a poorly managed condition.

Now more than ever an exercise program is an essential part of your golf game.  A long period of rest followed by a sudden increase in activity is the most efficient way to cause an injury. Without a structured exercise and mobility program you risk strains and sprains to your body that will not only effect your game but also put more demand on other body parts to compensate for any lack of movement. This can change muscle memory and the way you swing, skyrocketing the risk of injuring other parts of your body.

Due to the nature of golf, hips, backs and shoulders are often the most susceptible to injury. Each one of these body parts play a key role in your swing and can make life a nightmare when injured.

SALVAGE OR SAVAGE YOUR HANDICAP
A structured exercise and mobility program can be a lifesaver for your handicap, it can make sure that joints are moving smoothly and muscles are activating correctly. Not only can an exercise program ensure that all body parts are working together but it can also help take your golf swing to the next level.

Getting expert physiotherapy advice on your biomechanics and a program will identify areas to build healthy muscle, ligaments with the right exercises, the right exercising strategies beyond just swinging to make your golf comfortable, minimising the risk of injury and enhancing safety. The benefits are…

• better management of injury and having the tools to look after yourself.
• understanding what your physical limitations are and goal setting overcoming these with a clinically informed treatment plan.
• Alternatives to just golf to train for golf involving other forms of exercise to target the same goals. Think of strength exercises and flexibility work.

If you have ever hurt yourself playing golf and then continue reinjuring yourself keep reading, we are going to touch maintenance and preventative exercises to make sure your body can handle anything golf swings at it!

​Watch out for part 2 next week!

Are longer rides reducing your fun with discomfort or aching? Or the aftermath-pain outweighs the glory?

Over 80% of recreational cyclists sustain repetitive overuse injuries and more than one third of that group will need treatment to keep on the road (1)

Cycling for fitness or leisure is a great activity and very useful low impact aerobic fitness exercise if you have joint problems. It does involve prolonged posturing without much option  for variation of body position as in other sports. The pedalling action is also repetitive.

So…. if the niggles associated with riding are left unchecked, un-monitored or you simply don’t care for your body in the right way…… overuse injuries become the busted spokes in your ‘wheel’.  You can’t out ride and out compete overuse soreness. The  predominant parading reruns in our clinic are neck, knees, wirst/hands, butt and back.

Everyone’s main concern is navigating the road safely, obeying the rules, using good bike etiquette and not being distracted. However pain and fatigue are needless distractions and we believe keeping safe also means being fit and healthy to ride according to the conditions you choose to ride in as well as your fitness and skill level to ride.

Physiotherapy examination of the cyclist includes

• Biomechanical breach-points in your flexibility, strength, endurance.
• Examining range of motion for specific joint actions.
• Muscle length and measuring force generation.
• Load testing, can you sustain the load required in a simulated clinical exam to test-load you?

In the lower limb it is important to evaluate hip muscle function which influences your control of knee and ankle position (2), hamstring length and back curve.
 
Looking at your ‘engine’ also includes

• The ergonomic fit of you to the bike. This may include looking at your cycling technique and gear.
• Discussion on cycling volumes, distance, indoor vs outdoor training, hills or flats.

Getting expert physiotherapy advice will identify areas to build healthy muscle, ligaments with the right exercises, the right exercising strategies beyond just pedalling to make your ride comfortable, minimising the risk of injury and enhancing safety.

​The benefits are…

• better management of injury and having the tools to look after yourself.
• understanding what your physical limitations are and goal setting overcoming these with a clinically informed treatment plan.
• Alternatives to just cycling to train for cycling involving other forms of exercise to target the same goals. Think of strength exercises, endurance and flexibility work.

We truly believe road cycling can be safer, more satisfying and healthier when the right ground work is in place for our cyclists.

Can you relate to any of these issues in your ride?
Then know that physiotherapists can assess, manage and get you on top of your cycling injuries to get you back to the saddle. At this clinic our process involves clinical examination in a “three stroke strategy”.

1. Injury assessment.
2. Musculoskeletal screening for contributing factors.
3. Bike set up and discussion on goals, training loads and progressions.

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Your treatment is bespoke to these findings, your goals and health needs.