Page 74 - LIN JAN 2022 WEB FILES

health & fitness

Golf and Rotation

by Paula Allia - PT, DHSc, MTC, OCS

here are many sports that people The mobile segments of the spine that are functioning properly
participate in that torque the body. are stable. When and if a segment’s quality of motion changes,
TTorque is a force that causes rotation a segment can become hypomobile. This can be due to a tight
or torsion and in golf this occurs with every joint capsule around the joint(s) of that spinal segment (facet
swing. Golf incorporates a combination of joints). If a joint does become restricted, movement in another
movements from your toes all the way up vertebral segment may actually loosen and become hypermobile to
the chain to your head. The combination make up for the restrictions in the tight joint. Both can become
of trunk and pelvis rotation with the hips problematic and can lead to disc and arthritic changes with
distally and the shoulders proximally make all of the difference in continued overuse of the hypermobile segment or underuse of the
fluid movement. Do you have the right range of motion in your hypomobile joint.
joints to coordinate the proper movement pattern resulting in a Smooth segmental recruitment from vertebra to vertebra allows
good swing? Do you have the proper amount of flexibility in the the spine to rotate without excessive torque on one level. The
muscles and other connective tissue to work with the joint’s range interesting dynamic is that if someone has a hypomobile segment
of motion? So many variables. It is no wonder most people’s golf where the disc and the vertebra are restricted, the next mobile
swing is not consistent. segment takes on more torque.
Learning to rotate the spine in combination with your A hypermobile segment is a segment that has more laxity in
appendages is a major component to having success. Having both the joint capsule and or ligaments. When someone pops their
the flexibility in the muscles and the mobility in the joints is what own back, the segment that moves is likely the hypermobile joint,
allows one to approach the proper mechanics of a golf swing. Also not the one that is actually restricted. Since the back is weight
important is the coordinated efforts of proper muscle recruitment bearing and loaded most of the time just with body weight and
timing and coordination. gravity, this can cause wear and tear and arthritic conditions as
Many middle age adults and older have movement well and wear down and thin the discs. If someone has arthritis
impairments that actually inhibit the perfect golf swing. How evident in an x-ray, where the ligaments or muscles pull on the
does one swing as properly as possible? This is something that joint bone spurring can result adding more issues.
most people try and attain every time they step foot on the course It is now evident that in order to be able to participate in golf
or practice facilities. Learning how to compensate for imbalances and not cause further breakdown having the necessary flexibility
will help the golf game tremendously. and mechanics is most beneficial. A properly executed backswing
Many golfers experience low back or hip pain. Chronic low will help allow the club to do the work improving the club speed.
back pain and dysfunction are common in those who play a lot Do not try and muscle the swing as this leads to more strain. If
of golf and have disc, facet joint, and or arthritic problems. If you are limited, do not just start taking anti-inflammatories and
muscles are tight and not recruited properly, excessive compressive painkillers because the body will worsen. Find out where your
loads can cause further breakdown and over time become restrictions are and how to adapt to your limitations.
debilitating. Also, a stiff spine in the thoracic area working with
the arms will cause altered mechanics. People pull muscles all of To Your Health!
the time in golf.

Fitness Together, 335 14 Ave South , Naples, FL 34102 - 239.263.9348 www.fitnesstogether.com/naples
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74 Life in Naples | January 2022