How the Thoracic Spine Affects Other Joints in the Body When You Golf

Apr 20, 2023

Uncategorized

Are you frustrated with persistent lower back pain on the golf course no matter what you have tried to alleviate? Has your shoulder been bothering you when you swing the golf club? The location of your pain could be a symptom of issues in your thoracic spine.

At Austin Physical Therapy our physical therapists assess the whole body to determine what is causing your aches and pains. We can help you figure out the root cause of your condition and give you the tools to resolve it once and for all!

Too often, people assume that the exact location of their pain is also the site of their problem. Our physical therapists understand the importance of regional interdependence. This is a fancy term that refers to the concept that what seem to be unrelated impairments in a different anatomical region may contribute to or be the cause of your primary complaint.

At Austin Physical Therapy, our golf specialists are trained to identify the interrelatedness of the musculoskeletal system and, more importantly, address any restrictions and weaknesses that may be causing your symptoms.

Request an appointment with one of our specialists to see if our whole-body assessment suits you!

What is the thoracic spine’s role in golf?

The thoracic spine (mid-back) connects the cervical spine (above) and the lumbar spine (below). It is the only spinal region attached to the rib cage and protects most of our internal organs.

The thoracic spine plays an essential role in the shoulder and the lower back function. Although the thoracic spine is generally considered a stable area due to its association with the rib cage, it serves as a mobile region during the golf swing.

Thoracic rotation is vital to proper swing mechanics. If you lack rotational motion, the body has to make up for it in other areas, and typically the lumbar spine and/or shoulder joints compensate for the limitations.

Impingement is one of the most common shoulder injuries associated with golfing. In the shoulder region, the shoulder blade (scapula) moves along the thoracic region and directly influences the biomechanics of the shoulder complex as a whole. For example, a rounded thoracic spine (kyphosis) negatively affects the shoulder and predisposes the golfer to impingement syndrome.

When the thoracic spine isn’t functioning correctly, the golfer is more likely to develop overuse-type injuries due to improper swing mechanics. Fortunately, our Austin Physical Therapy physical therapists use a whole-body approach to identify where you have restrictions and weaknesses and, more importantly, how to resolve them so you can swing without fear of pain or injury!

How physical therapists can help your pain and improve your golf swing

Golfing is often considered more of a leisure sport than a vigorous activity, but the sheer volume of repetitions needed to swing the golf club makes it much more challenging than most think. In addition, the force generated by swinging the club has been measured to be equivalent to the force a football player generates when hitting a tackling sled.

The golf swing is an incredibly complex movement that requires the coordination and timing of the entire body to perform correctly. The interconnectedness of the joints, muscles, and nervous system allows for a beautiful swing and, at the same time, makes us susceptible to pain and injury.

Several research studies have demonstrated the effective use of this “whole body” examination and treatment approach in achieving results in various musculoskeletal disorders related to golfing. Generally speaking, a lack of motion in one segment shifts the responsibility to a neighboring segment, leading to pain or injury. A dysfunctional segment (i.e., decreased range of motion or strength) will lead to compensation in a region nearby.

Our team works to identify any dysfunction in your thoracic spine that may be influencing other regions in your body and address each segment to achieve optimal results. We know that a whole-body system leads to the best pain relief outcomes and improved course performance!

What to expect at your Austin Physical Therapy sessions

Our physical therapists are highly trained movement experts and can help golfers in various ways. We will start with an injury evaluation and a whole-body movement assessment, including swing analysis, to identify all the factors contributing to your pain/injury.

Our evaluation consists of a thorough history to understand your history of pain and injury in other body areas and your overall health status. We will also assess how well you are able to coordinate movements, help you identify your ideal posture, and work with you to make sure you swing a golf club correctly.

Our physical therapists use all the information we gather to develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted mobility exercises and corrective exercise techniques for the thoracic spine regardless of where you are struggling, including if your pain is in the shoulder or lower back.

We will also incorporate strengthening to address your weaknesses and compensatory patterns you may have while swinging the club. Your physical therapist will incorporate golf-specific treatments to progress your core strength and dynamic stability.

We will also incorporate drills to stimulate your nervous system and help ensure you can swing with proper form to avoid future injuries. Our exercise programs are designed to restore function and prevent injuries.

Request an appointment today!

No matter where you are experiencing pain or injury, our Austin Physical Therapy physical therapists use a whole-body approach to help alleviate your pain and improve your ability to hit that little white ball!

Call today to schedule a whole-body assessment with one of our specialists!

How the Thoracic Spine Affects Other Joints in the Body When You Golf