Golf: How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Your Long Game

With the increasing desire of all golfers whether it be professional, amateur or social to hit the ball further, and therefore hit the ball less during a round of golf, the importance of activating and controlling the appropriate muscles of the spine and lower back is crucial. 

Reducing Stress on Body During Golf

There are many ways in which you can reduce the load on your body and spine during a round: slower swing speeds, using larger clubs etc, improving your body’s biomechanics will only lead to not only better golf but also improved quality of life.

With the level of stress and strain created through the lower back and hips during a golf swing it is not uncommon for golfers to report vague low back pain. It can occur during, shortly after or even the following day. 

Golfers across all levels present at the clinic ranging from scratch golfers to those just starting out playing off 30+. 

Improving posture and spinal biomechanics is essential in not only preventing the occurrence of low back pain but also necessary in maximizing the distance and accuracy of each stroke.

Hampton Chiropractor Explains Muscles of Importance

The deep muscles of the spine (Transverse Abdominus and Multifidi) are the main core stabilizers of the lower back. The efficiency of these muscles will determine the long term effectiveness of the golf swing. It is not uncommon that the more superficial muscles (erector spinae and external obliques) fire first. This indicates a deficiency in neuromuscular control and nerve function.

It has been shown that adjustments to the lower back increases the function of the multifidus muscle by activating the ligament stretch receptors and improving neural function and control. 

Improve Muscle activation?

By increasing the level of activation of this muscle via spinal manipulation there is a reduction of loaded stress on the joints. This maintains and prolongs structural integrity and function. With proper spinal alignment and the appropriate spinal exercises, improvements in core stability and increasing control and power in your golf swing can be achieved.