Physical Therapy Can Help Alleviate Shoulder Pain in Golfers

Two men engaging in a high-five outdoors during sunset, one visibly wincing from shoulder pain.

Jan 10, 2023

Shoulder Pain Relief, Health and Wellness

Have you noticed pain while swinging your golf clubs? Are you struggling to get a full swing due to pain or restrictions in motion? Maybe it’s time for you to get your shoulder looked at by one of our movement experts. At Agility Physical Therapy, our physical therapists help golfers alleviate pain, recover lost motion, and get stronger so they can golf without limitations!

Shoulder pain can be a significant struggle for golfers of all ages and skill levels. Research has indicated that shoulder problems account for up to 18% of all golf-related injuries. Like most golf-related injuries, shoulder conditions are typically overuse injuries resulting from repetitive microtrauma, poor swing mechanics, or an aggravation of a previous condition.

Caring for golfers requires comprehensive knowledge of the golf swing mechanics and musculoskeletal injuries specific to golfers. Ensuring the golfer optimizes their unique anatomy to create efficient motor patterns is the key to pain-free golfing.

Our physical therapists will identify deficits such as weakness and/or tightness in the leg, pelvic/spine, shoulder joint, or shoulder blade that can lead to overuse injuries. At Agility Physical Therapy, we will assess your whole body to determine what may be contributing to your pain/injury. We will identify your individual needs and help you resolve your problem once and for all!

Request an appointment today and let our team help guide you back to health!

What are the main types of shoulder injuries from golfing?

Although the temptation is often to simply rest or alter the painful swing movement, a better solution would be to see one of our highly trained physical therapists. Golf can be a demanding sport due to the sheer volume of swings in a single round of golf.

The shoulder is commonly affected, usually from overuse and/or poor technique. The lead shoulder, or the left shoulder in the right-handed golfer, is particularly susceptible to injury. Most injuries can be treated or prevented through a thorough understanding of the biomechanics of the swing and how the entire body contributes to a successful swing.

The most common shoulder problems affecting golfers include:

Rotator cuff tears and/or tendinopathy: The rotator cuff comprises four muscles that keep the humeral head (ball) centered in the socket when we move our arm. Injury or irritation of one or more tendons leads to shoulder pain, weakness, and loss of range of motion.

Shoulder impingement: Impingement is a common cause of shoulder pain, where a tendon rubs or catches on nearby tissue and/or bone as you move (lift) your arm. This problem is usually due to overuse and repetitive traumas. The long head of the biceps tendon is particularly susceptible to impingement as it runs along the anterior (front) aspect of the shoulder through the subacromial space.

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint pain: The AC joint is on the very top of the shoulder. Research suggests that the AC joint is most stressed at the top of the backswing when the lead shoulder is in maximal horizontal abduction (reaching across the body). Degeneration, poor posture, and faulty shoulder blade movements can influence the AC joint and lead to pain or injury.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative type of arthritis where the cartilage in the shoulder joints gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, the joint space decreases, resulting in pain and loss of motion.

Shoulder joint instability: Instability is defined as the excess movement of the humeral head (ball) in relation to the socket. Essentially, the ball slides forward or backward in the socket and loses congruence with the socket. The rotator cuff’s primary function is to maintain the ball in the center of the socket, preventing excessive movement of the humeral head in any direction.

At Agility Physical Therapy, our physical therapist will help identify the most likely cause of your shoulder pain and how to resolve it.

What to expect in physical therapy

We will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes a thorough history and movement assessment of the shoulder, spine, and hips in particular. We will identify how your joints move in relation to one another to ensure we identify any restriction or limitation that may be contributing to your condition.

In addition, we will test your shoulder and shoulder blade strength, range of motion, and how they work together in different positions. This information will help determine any weaknesses and/or compensations that may impair your ability to swing correctly.

Your physical therapist will design a program tailored to your individual needs. This program will consist of flexibility/mobility, strength, and power training with correction of

faulty movement patterns to help resolve your injury and improve your overall performance.

We will use any technique, including Kinesio Taping and manual techniques, to assist your rehabilitation and education of proper movement sequencing. Our team will show you the appropriate way to warm up, including mobility and theraband work, to enhance your performance so you can hit the ball with greater confidence!

Request an appointment at Agility Physical Therapy today!

Our physical therapists are highly skilled at treating golfers. No matter what is causing your shoulder pain, we offer the results you are looking for! Contact us today.

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Tags: Natural Treatment, pain relief, shoulder pain relief, physical therapy, physical therapist, health and wellness, shoulder pain

Physical Therapy Can Help Alleviate Shoulder Pain in Golfers