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health & fitness

by Paula Allia, PT, DHSc, MTC, OCS

The Imperfect

Swing in Golf

and How to

Address It

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

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