The highs and lows within those 18 holes can sometimes feel worse than losing a deal at work or missing out on an entrepreneurial opportunity.

While the general population thinks of golf as the epitome of leisure and relaxation, if you’ve played for any number of years, you know the real truth about golf!

Unless you’re playing best ball, it’s intense, especially if you’re with a highly skilled crowd at your tee time.

And, physically, playing for hours at a time can occasionally leave you feeling like you’ve been run over by a golf cart if you’re not careful! 

Even if you’re not a professional athlete, the occasional golfer can suffer from aches and pains. But our golf physio approach at Next Level Physio is your secret weapon to elevate your golf game to new heights.

While everyone hears about “golfers elbow,” which is pain on the inside of your elbow, many of the clients we’ve treated, typically complain about back, hip, and knee pain.

Let’s review the common areas of interest as they pertain to the “seriously recreational” golfer. 

And, by the way, if you’re a golf pro reading this article, please reach out to us for a meeting to see how we can help your tribe stay in the game for the long haul by clicking here.

Our journey together begins with a comprehensive assessment of…not your symptoms. 

Before we even scratch the surface, we need to talk about YOU.

• Why did you even come to see us? 
• What was the urgency to come to see our expert team now?
• What solution or result were you hoping to get out of PT that you haven’t already tried?  
• What is your next level result?

Our experienced team of physios at Next Level Physio takes the time to explore your medical history, lifestyle…and dreams. 

“I never thought I would be able to use my driver ever again, which was frustrating. That said,  I never thought I would drive 300 yards either since working with Dr. Jerry and his team.  My golf buddies are jealous and trying to find out how they can work with Dr. Jerry’s team, too!” -Matt 

By delving into the root causes of your limitations in playing golf, we can create a customized plan that addresses not only the symptoms but also the underlying issues.

Solving Two Diagnoses for Golfer’s Elbow

At Next Level Physio, we believe that the path to overcoming injuries, setbacks, or plateaus, involves treating two diagnoses- 

1. your “symptoms-” which are what clients typically come to see us for
2. the SOURCE of your symptoms

That’s why we use a “tailor-made” recovery and performance program unique to your needs.   

With golfers and athletes, in particular, we also want to connect with your golf pro to make sure your technique isn’t the “root cause” of your symptoms.  It really is a team approach to helping you stay on the greens!

Avoiding the “Forearm Fail”: Dealing with Elbow Pain**

Golfer’s elbow might sound like an exclusive club, but it’s actually a common issue among golf enthusiasts. Those repetitive divots can take a toll on your forearm muscles, leading to discomfort, not to mention white-knuckling the golf club! 

Physical therapy steps in as your ace in the hole, strengthening these muscles and fine-tuning your rotation, power, and control. 

Mastering the Fairway: Banishing Lower Back Pain

The fairway isn’t always as friendly as it seems. Lower back pain is an all-too-familiar hazard for golfers, and unfortunately, athletes are often told that, “well, it must be because you have poor posture or a weak core.”

False. 

In fact, did you know that most low back pain doesn’t start at the low back? Read my blog on why am I  still having low back pain. 

Here, think of your team at Next Level Physio as your most trusted caddy, helping you maintain the best alignment and bidding adieu to those nagging aches and pains. 

Our back assessment always starts with a deep dive discussion and investigation into you; we want to know things like how you breathe, stress levels, sleep, protein intake.

No more reaching for the Advil bottle after the 9th hole – let your swing do the talking!

Shouldering Success: Defeating Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries might try to rain on your golf parade, but physical therapy steps up as your shield against them. Strengthening and enhancing the muscles and joints that support the shoulder within the constraints of your shoulder blade (scapula), ribcage, and pelvis is the name of the game. 

Say farewell to impingement syndrome and hello to a full range of motion. This could be your ticket to a more confident, injury-free swing.

Grip and Grin: Tackling Wrist and Hand Pain

Wrist and hand injuries can be real handicaps for golfers. The repetitive nature of your swing can cause strain and discomfort. 

Here, physical therapy’s toolkit includes techniques to boost the strength and flexibility of those oft-neglected muscles. Bid adieu to “handicap” and embrace a smoother, more powerful swing.

A Swing for Success: Boosting Your Game with Physical Therapy at Next Level Physio of WoodCliff Lake, NJ

Beyond injury prevention, physical therapy can actually level up your golf game. By enhancing your range of motion, strength, mobility, and flexibility, you’re setting the stage for a fluid, graceful swing. 

This not only reduces the risk of injury but can also significantly improve your overall performance. Imagine the satisfaction of impressing your friends with your newfound golf finesse!

Coupled with working with your favorite golf pro, we know you’ll get the most of your time spent off the course to keep you swinging with success.  

Let us help you to be or stay as the golf buddy who everyone wants to swing like.

Injury-Free Golf: Let Physical Therapy be Your Guide

At the end of the day, don’t let injuries disrupt your love affair with the game. We know that for many golfers, golf is the social club and/or mental health maintenance. 

With the guidance of physical therapy, you can enjoy golf without the worry of nagging pains and discomfort. Whether you’re a casual golfer playing best ball or aiming for the local club championship, embracing physical therapy can help you become the golfing champion you aspire to be.

Ready to Tee Off on Your Pain-Free Golf Journey?

Are you ready to take your golf game to the next level? Say goodbye to aches and pains that hinder your swings and start a new chapter with physical therapy. Ready to take the plunge? 

Click here to today for a completely-free total golfers”assessment (valued at $199). Let’s unlock your golf potential together and put those pains and limits behind you for good.

The post Golfers’ Guide: How Physical Therapy Can Keep You Swinging Pain-Free appeared first on Next Level Physio.

Do you struggle to walk the 18-hole rounds and what was once a way for you to socialize, unwind and have fun with your golfing buddies is becoming a source of your aches and pains?

Have you had nasty, sharp shoulder pain when you driving off the tee lately?

Golfers visit our clinics regularly, and these are problems we help people with all the time.

But if you are starting to notice that you’re too stiff and immobile to play as well as you used to, or you get pain during a round, here is a cautionary tale…

Golfers Who Get Help

A lot of golfers recognize something isn’t right, and seek the experts at our clinic.

Shortly after, their pain goes away, mobility improves, and they can play golf as often as they like.

Many even improve their game too!

With a variety of treatment options such as shockwave therapy, hands on rehabilitation and much more, this is absolutely possible without having to mask the pain with pills, or risk injections and surgery.

The Golfers Who Do Not Get Help

But a smaller portion of golfers with these problems, do not get help.

So what happens to them?

It starts off as a minor inconvenience.

A little stiffness in the lower back when they pick up the ball.

A little soreness in their knee as they walk the course.

A little pain in their elbow the next few days after a round of golf.

It’s manageable (although annoying).

“It’s not too bad, I can handle it.” they say to themselves.

But over time, it becomes more severe, and more frequent until they can’t play as often as they like…

They drop that mid-week round of golf or stop going to the driving range on the weeks that they play a round with their friends…

“Maybe I just need to rest up a little, and it’ll get better.” they say to themselves.

And over the next few months, the problem doesn’t seem so bad.

So it’s fixed?

Not quite.

Because another few months pass, and the pain is back, the tightness is back, and the discomfort is back.

And now it’s not just confined to the golf course.

Their shoulders start to hurt when they load the groceries into the car, or play catch with their grandkids.

Their back starts to hurt on a daily basis, and means they are wake up exhausted after terrible sleep every night.

“I’ll go to the doctor, take these pills and rest a little more.” they say to themselves.

And you probably know how this goes…

The doctor says “take these pills, and rest” – even though you’ve already done that.

You don’t know what to do.

You’re lost, confused, and missing the happiness that playing a round of golf gives you.

Because now you only play golf once a month, when you used to play 2-3 times every week.

And you’re suffering in the other areas of your life too as you’ve become weaker, more injury prone and just feel awful!

“Maybe my golfing days are behind me, I just can’t take it any more.” they say to themselves.

But this is NOT true.

And our patients are proof of this.

We have patients who are well into their retirement, playing golf multiple times per week, and not dealing with pain, stiffness and injuries.

How?

They came to the experts at our clinics.

So if any of this cautionary tale sounds familiar, we can help – whatever stage of the story you are in!

If it’s just a little niggling ache as you reach the final few holes.

Or a constant pain that’s with your from the first hole, we can help.

Get Back To Pain-Free Golf And Play Multiple Times Every Week!

We have four clinics in the area (Cary, Montclair, Morrisville, and Woodcliff Lake), and demand is extremely high right now, however, we do offer a limited number of appointments for Free Golf Movement Screenings.

This appointment is 1-1 with an expert physical therapist, who will listen to your story, and then provide you with personalized advice to get you playing more golf, driving further off the tee, and reducing your handicap!

Arrange Your Free Golf Movement Screening.

Click the link above, or contact us on 201-746-9966 to arrange your Free Golf Movement Screening today.

Want More Free Expert Advice So You Can Enjoy An Active Life Without Pain?

Read our blog – 4 Of The Best Golf Stretches To Reduce Pain, Stiffness, And Tight Muscles

Read our blog – 3 Reasons Why You’re Still Having Knee Pain And Can’t Run, Bike, Or Squat!

Follow us on our social media – Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

The post A Warning To Golfers Struggling With Mobility And Pain appeared first on Next Level Physio.

As we age, our bodies experience natural changes in joint mobility and muscle elasticity, which can impact our golf game – but they don’t have to if they do the right things!

Golf stretches can help senior golfers maintain mobility and flexibility, and reduce stiffness so getting older doesn’t mean you have to suffer from pain, and play less golf than you’d like.

In this blog, you can discover the best golf stretches for 45+ year old golfers who want to improve their game, while reducing those annoying stiffness and nagging pains when you’re on the course.

Common Mobility Issues for Recreational Golfers

Before we dive into the best golf stretches, it’s essential to understand the mobility issues that recreational golfers commonly face. These are more common as we age, but not exclusive to those over 45.

Reduced Range Of Motion

The ability to rotate your hips, shoulders, and torso is critical for a smooth golf swing.

Aging can lead to a decrease in mobility, which can affect your swing meaning you aren’t able to drive as far off the tee and lose your accuracy when trying to pitch onto the green.

A limited range of motion can also increase your risk of injury meaning you’re completely out of action, and not able to play at all.

Decreased flexibility

Tight muscles can lead to decreased mobility and a lack of flexibility, thus affecting the golf game.

If you’re tight, this can make it harder to be explosive when striking the ball and reduce your distance off the tee.

Best Golf Stretches for Senior Golfers

So now we know the cost of poor mobility and flexibility to your golf game, here are 4 of the best golf stretches that senior golfers can do to fix the problem. These golf stretches should target the typical muscles that create issues for golfers by wrecking their game, and leading to pain.

Seated Hip Stretch

This stretch helps improve hip mobility, which is essential for maintaining balance and generating power during the golf swing.

• Sit on a chair, couch, or bench with your feet flat on the floor.
• Cross your right ankle over your left knee.
• Place your left hand on your right knee and grasp your right ankle with your right hand.
• Gently press your right knee down with your left hand while pulling your right ankle towards you with your right hand.
• Hold for 10-15 seconds.
• Repeat on the other side.

Standing Shoulder Stretch

This stretch helps improve shoulder mobility, which is critical for achieving a full backswing.

• Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Extend your right arm forward at shoulder height.
• Bend your right elbow and bring your right hand behind your head.
• Use your left hand to gently press your right elbow towards your left shoulder until you feel a stretch.
• Hold for 10-15 seconds.
• Repeat on the other side.

Lunge and Twist

This stretch helps to improve spine mobility, which is essential for generating power during the golf swing.

• Start in a lunge position with your left foot forward and your right foot back.
• Place your left hand on your left knee.
• Rotate your torso to the left, placing your right hand on your left thigh.
• Hold for a few seconds, then return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side.

Hamstring Stretch

This stretch helps to improve flexibility in the hamstrings, which can reduce the risk of lower back pain and improve balance during the golf swing.

• Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.
• Reach towards your toes with your hands, gently pulling yourself forward.
• Keep your back straight and avoid rounding your spine.
• Hold for 10-15 seconds.

What To Do Next

These 4 golf stretches can help senior golfers maintain flexibility and mobility, and reduce stiffness while playing golf.

These stretches are simple, effective, and can be done at home before you head to the course, or just before you step onto the course.

So if you love golf, but are finding it harder and harder to play 18 holes without pain, stiffness, or poor performance, don’t chalk this up to your age and accept it.

Try these stretches, and if you have any challenges, or it doesn’t improve things for you, reach out to our team.

We regularly work with people in their retirement who are strong, fit and mobile, living very active lives filled with activities that they love.

Their secret?

It’s not luck or genetics.

It’s that they’ve got the personalized advice they needed to identify exactly what’s happening in their body, the root cause of their muscle tightness, joint stiffness, and pain, and work on their tailored treatment plans from our expert physical therapy team.

If you want to play more golf, reduce your handicap, and enjoy the game you love without pain, stiffness, or tension, find out how we can help you with a Free Golf Movement Screening.

This is a completely free appointment with an expert in physical therapy who will listen to your story, hear your golf goals, and help you understand the fastest, natural ways to improve your mobility and flexibility as well as address any niggling injuries.

We have four clinics in the area (Cary, Montclair, Morrisville, and Woodcliff Lake), but demand is extremely high right now, so contact us on 201-746-9966 to arrange your Free Golf Movement Screening today.

Want More Free Expert Advice So You Can Enjoy An Active Life Without Pain?

Read our blog – Don’t Give Up If You’re Aching After Your First Game, Or After Getting Back Into The Gym

Read our blog – 3 Reasons Why You’re Still Having Knee Pain And Can’t Run, Bike, Or Squat!

Follow us on our social media – Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

The post 4 Of The Best Golf Stretches To Reduce Pain, Stiffness And Tight Muscles appeared first on Next Level Physio.