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Redmond Physical Therapy
Golf Rehabilitation and Performance

Before you throw more money at a new set of golf clubs, consider addressing physical restrictions which may be affecting your swing…….

Golf Injuries and Rehabilitation

Golf is becoming an increasingly popular sport with over 28 million participants enjoying the sport in 2008 alone. Interestingly, unlike other sports, frequency of play may actually increase with age. Lumbar spine injuries are the largest reported injury in golf followed closely by injuries of the elbow and forearm. These injuries are commonly seen in physical therapy and may be the primary reason that patients seek physical therapy services.

Many patients’ goals in physical therapy not only revolve around reductions in pain but increases in function and return to prior level of golf performance. Recent research has suggested that a multidisciplinary rehabilitation model involving physical therapy services and sport specific training is likely beneficial. Sports medicine principles are applied to the golfer’s injury, including a gradual progression from management of the acute injury or inflammatory process; recovery of normal range of motion, strength, and endurance and finally, sport-specific rehabilitation. Strength training with a focus on dynamic lumbar stabilization techniques, rotational flexibility training, assuming a more upright stance, and warming up have all been shown to be beneficial with regard to injury prevention in golf. This specific training can be instructed by physical therapists at Redmond Physical Therapy. Golf specific fitness instruction including exercises developed for tour players by the Titleist Performance Institute can also be found at Redmond PT.

Services offered at Redmond PT:

Comprehensive treatment for your golf injury (low back, shoulder, wrist, hand, elbow etc) including a home exercise program to address any functional deficits.
2-D Video Analysis of golf swing utilizing Dartfish software to identify possible body-swing issues that can be managed through fitness or strength training.
Sport specific screening developed by Titleist Performance Institute to help pinpoint areas which may benefit from strengthening or flexibility.
Golf specific exercise instruction and home program given by a Titleist Performance Institute Certified Golf Fitness Instructor (C.G.F.I)
Referral to local PGA golf professional for golf swing analysis and possible swing modification under the direction of a teaching professional.
To access these services, your doctor may write you a referral for your golf injury. Some insurance carriers allow direct access to physical therapy services to address you injury. You may also contact our office to inquire about private pay rates. Fitness consultation is also available if you desire information on golf specific training and injury prevention.

Author: Evan Martina, PT, DPT, CSCS

(Certified Golf Fitness Instructor, Titleist Performance Institute)

References

Reed, J.J., Wadsworth L.T. Lower back pain in golf: a review. Curr. Sports Med. Rep., Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 57-59, 2010.
Parziale JR. Healthy swing: a golf rehabilitation model. Am J Phys Med Rehabil .2002;81:
498–501.

Parziale J.R., Mallon W.J. Golf injuries and rehabilitation. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am
17 (2006) 589–607

Gluck GS, Bendo JA, Spivak JM. The lumbar spine and low back pain in golf: a literature review of swing biomechanics and injury prevention. Spine J. 2008; 8:778-88.