Low back pain is a common issue among golfers, especially those in Adelaide and across Australia. This is often due to the repetitive nature of the sport, rotational movements in the swing, and poor posture during play. Many cases of golf-related lower back pain arise not from the lower back itself, but from issues in other areas of the body such as the ankles, hips, or thoracic spine, which force the lower back to overcompensate.
The following conditions may occur with a lower back injury:
Common Muscle Strains & Sprains Causing Golf Low Back Pain
Sprains or strains are the most common form of lower back injury we see. Symptoms may range from a minor ache to a sharp debilitating pain. Most sprains and strains are localised in the lower back region. Residual muscle stiffness, fascial restrictions, joint fixations or movement alterations may need to be addressed.
Disc Injuries in Golfers: Causes & Risks for Lower Back Pain
If excessive or abnormal stressors are placed on the disc, tears can occur. This may lead to a bulge or even a rupture. Degeneration of the disc may also occur over time. Any disc injury can leave the spinal nerves vulnerable to irritation or compression resulting in dysfunction and pain. Disc pathologies may create radiating pain into the buttocks or the leg (think sciatica) due to the irritation of spinal nerves.
How Joint Mechanics & Poor Motor Control Lead to Golf Injuries
Altered muscle firing patterns and sequencing may occur in the absence of any visible injury. This can completely change the body’s ability to move correctly during the golf swing and also activities of daily life. These altered motor control or joint mechanics can begin as a protective mechanism but can lead to chronic problems over time. Low back pain may be the result or it may even affect your ability to swing the golf club correctly.
Degenerative Arthritis & Chronic Low Back Pain in Golfers
Spinal joints can become arthritic due to over-use, lack of use, and also being hereditary. This may lead to sharp pains with certain movements or result in a chronic dull pain. Arthritis within other joints may also be present (hips, knees, shoulders, wrists / hands).
Stress Fractures from Golf: Risks for Lower Back Pain
Stress fractures are common problems seen in the lumbar spines due to the rapid extension and rotation of the spine. This causes adjacent vertebrae to collide into each other at their end range of motion and can lead to pain and instability in the spine.
At Saunders Physiotherapy, we are highly experienced in the diagnosis of low back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries associated with golf and other recreational sports and daily life. We provide manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation to overcome injury and performance.
If you’re experiencing low back pain from golf or want advice on improving your mobility to prevent future injuries, book a consultation with our experienced physiotherapists at Saunders Physiotherapy.
