Golf is difficult to get good at. Timing, rhythm, and sequencing are all dependent on many factors. All are necessary for an efficient golf swing. All are dependent on how your body moves. Flexibility, strength, mobility and stability each are vital for your movement patterns.
A PGA golfer presents no pain but says he has difficulty with his backswing. As he rotates into his backswing he lifts his right hip. Posture changes and he just cannot seem to fix it. Lessons help but he reverts back to the same problem.
Since he does not have any symptoms other than periodic dull, localized right lower back achiness he did not think initially to be checked by the PGA chiropractic physician or physical therapist. Being desperate he came in to be checked. A functional movement screen revealed:
Right tensor fascia lata and Iliotibial band: dysfunctional, no pain. Very tight.
Right iliopsoas: dysfunctional, no pain. Very tight.
Right gluteus maximus: dysfunctional, no pain. Hamstring dominating hip extension.
Right gluteus medius: dysfunctional, no pain. Right hip flexor dominating hip abduction.
Right hip internal rotation 40 degrees; external rotation 45 degrees.
There were no positive findings with evaluation of the lower back, left hip, right and left knees, and right and left ankles and feet.
The movement pattern was similar to many we see on the PGA Tour. The most noticeable factor was the right gluteus medius offered minimal stability during his backswing which reflected a slight sway. A solid posting onto his right leg was not possible due to right hip instability.
Exercises were given to stretch hip flexors and deep rotators, activate and strengthen hip extensors, and most importantly strengthen right hip abductors.
Within a few days of treatment the golfer found he was rotating onto his right hip better during his backswing. Within a couple of weeks he was comfortable with every swing transferring rotational stress onto his right hip during his backswing. Although he was fighting this problem for weeks he held off getting evaluated because he was having no pain or evident restriction in his body. Unfortunately his lower back discomfort was compensation for his lack of lateral stability in his right hip.
In all golfers our bodies go in cycles of change. Muscles tighten, weaken and joints get restricted for numerous reasons. It’s important to get a structural evaluation periodically to detect and prevent these changes from altering movement efficiency. No pain DOES NOT mean no problem.
