GOLF INJURY: GET BACK IN THE GAME
As the weather begins to warm up, golf courses across the Sandhills of North Carolina become more popular. Whether you need to address underlying pain issues that you exhibit when golfing or are preparing for your best summer golf game, physical therapy can help you.
The team at Cape Fear Orthopedics will explain how our physical therapists can help you stay at the top or get back in the game.
COMMON GOLF INJURIES
Golf places a great deal of stress on the body due to the physical nature of the golf swing. When golfing, the swing engages muscles in the upper and lower body. Stress is placed in particular on the back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Low Back Pain: Back pain comes from the rotation of the body during the follow through of the golf swing. This creates stress on the lower back which can place pressure on the spine.
Golf Elbow: Golf elbow is an inflammation of the inner elbow tendon that is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles. This injury is a result of the repetitive overuse of the forearm muscles to flex, rotate, grip, and swing.
Wrist Pain: Wrist pain can become a problem due to the repetitive motion of golf in addition to the high speed of the golf swing. Common wrist pain involves tenderness at the top of the wrist. This often occurs at impact with the ball and at the top of the backswing.
Physical therapy helps a golfer implement proper biomechanics and body movement to eliminate current pain, avoid injury, and improve the quality and consistency of the golf swing. The team at Cape Fear Orthopedics will work with the golfer to address and decrease pain, increase joint mobility, improve flexibility, enhance balance, and increase core strength.
TREATMENT
Physical therapy rehabilitation for golfers may include:
- Manual therapy to address and reduce pain
- Strengthening the core for greater upper and lower body strength and balance control
- Dry needling to address a golf elbow injury
- Addressing muscle imbalances through targeted strengthening exercises
- Shoulder and hip stabilization exercises to prevent injury during golf swing
- Strengthening gluteal muscles to stabilize the pelvis and improve body rotation safely
OUR TEAM
If you are suffering from hand or wrist pain, don’t wait any longer for relief. At Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we understand that pain can make simple, everyday activities challenging.
Our Hand & Upper Extremities specialist, Dr. Benjamin Levine, has years of experience and research in treating upper extremity trauma. Dr. Levine completed his training in Orthopedics at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, and completed his fellowship at the University of Rochester. He previously served as the hand surgeon for multiple professional teams in Minnesota, including the Vikings, Twins, Wild, and Timberwolves, and is currently the only hand surgeon in the Fayetteville area.
At Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our specialty-trained doctors are recognized experts in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions and injuries. When you are seen by one of our experts, you know that you are being treated by an experienced doctor who is focused and dedicated to providing you exceptional orthopedic care.
Our experts understand that proper diagnosis is paramount in determining the most effective treatment plan for your individual condition. For a consultation with one of our providers, call us at (910) 484-2171.
