Page 38 - Marilyn

Stretch, Then Swing!

By Vanessa Jackson and Kate Grace

Although a single golf swing may seem relatively harm-
less, the accumulation of 60-100 swings per game and
200 or more swings during a practice session, places
great stress and strain on your body. Each swing in-
volves complex shear, axial, and compression forces on
your spine equal to that of eight times your body weight.

In order for your body to endure this magnitude of force
without injury and a compromised golf game, it is vital
that your joints are capable of achieving a full range of
motion. Balance, core strength and good posture are
38 also essential to reaching and maintaining an injury free
and comfortable golf stance and swing. When your body
is unable to achieve adequate motion from a joint, for
example your hips, it will compensate by overloading
your spine and wrists in an attempt to achieve the same
result. Hip rotation inward is essential to attain a good
follow-thru in your lead leg and a smooth backswing on
your trailing leg. If you are lacking this motion, your low
back compensates with excessive side bending which
leads to increased spinal compression and eventually
low back pain.

It is no secret that with age, your golf swing becomes
more challenging and painful due to the effect of
degenerative disease, decreased spinal mobility, and
trouble with balance and proprioception (a sensory
nerve ending in muscles, tendons, and joints that
provides a sense of the body’s position by respond-
ing to stimuli from within the body.)

A respectable golf game starts BEFORE you get to the
first tee box. Since a golf swing begins at the hips and
ends at the hands, Kate recommends that a golfer per-
form their warm-up routine in the same order. Featured
are some quick and effective stretches that Kate sug-
gests being done prior to “teeing- off.”

Vanessa Jackson DPT, TPI-CGFI L2 and
Kate Grace PT, OPA-C
For more information contact us at:
Kate Grace Physical Therapy (858) 457-3545 or
www.kgpt.com
May/June 2008