How’s Your Range of Hip Joint Movement?
Have you been playing golf for many years and are starting to notice that your body does not bounce back from aches and pains the way it used to? One of the most attractive things about golf is that it is played long into the aging years of life. However, there may come a time when you start to notice slight changes in your golf swing related to hip joint movement. You may not feel as smooth as you once did.
As a physical therapist, Fellow of Applied Functional Science and Certified Nike Golf Specialist, Tracy Hill, PT, DPT, FAFS is trained to evaluate the entire body as it relates to the golf swing. Tracy says, “addressing the entire body and treating various ailments has given me the opportunity to provide comprehensive treatment, as well as allows patients timely recovery and improved performance.” In our practice, we often treat golfers who have been diagnosed with arthritis and their pain is frequently manifested in the back, knees, shoulders, and hip joint movement. Our approach at Spooner Physical Therapy always includes evaluating movement mechanics in search of the source of pain instead of simply blaming arthritis for pain and suggesting that these athletes give up golf. It is imperative to address movement patterns that may be increasing stress to certain areas of the body and allow the athlete to play to the best of their ability for many years.
One major contributor to the breakdown of golf swing mechanics is hip joint movement. In the evaluation of the entire golf swing, one can appreciate the power and motion that is required to come from the hips in order for the rest of the swing to be successful. Over time, we lose range in our hip joint movement due to poor postures or prolonged sitting. This limits the ability of the hips to move around the rest of the body and decreases the power of the hip muscles to explode through the swing.
Now, let’s examine the golf swing. Moving from the address position to the backswing, the body transitions to a more upright posture as the club comes up and around the body. Ideally, there is also significant rotation occurring at the hips that is transferred through the spine and shoulders to allow the club to get over the shoulders. If your hip joint movement does not allow for optimal rotation, your body will compensate and try to gain increased rotation from other areas in order to get a full backswing. Try to execute your swing without allowing your hips to rotate, keeping them fixed. Is it difficult to take your club into a full backswing position? You might even experience discomfort in your back, shoulders or knees. This is because other body parts have to over-compensate for limited hip joint movement to provide enough rotation to execute the backswing. Now take your club through the downswing into your follow-through position. Do you feel like you were able to generate as much power as normal? Perhaps it took a lot more effort to generate the same amount of power. Did you feel more stress on your shoulders, back or somewhere else? You might be able to get away with this once, or even several times in a row. However, imagine playing that way an entire round, several times a month. This results in the back, shoulders and knees being over-worked repetitively which will eventually cause breakdown and potential joint pain, muscle strain, or other injuries; not to mention inefficiency. Upon completion of the above exercise, does it make sense to blame our “bad” back, knees or shoulders for hurting? It seems that there is another culprit to be blamed for these pains. The lack of hip joint movement is the true contributor to the pain. It is imperative that the true source of the breakdown of swing mechanics is addressed in order to make lasting changes in swing efficiency and the treatment of golf-related injuries.
It is appropriate to appreciate your hip joint movement as a large contributor to creating power in the golf swing. Optimal loading during the golf swing occurs when the hips move and function effectively in all three planes of motion. If you are being treated for any golf ailment or injury, ask your provider if your hips are functioning as they should be to maximize your swing, and if they are being addressed in relationship to your pain (even if it is somewhere else).
Hip joint movement is a key factor to a successful golf swing. Make sure your hips are being unlocked in order to unleash the power and capability of your golf swing for years to come.
Contact us today to get in touch with one of our golf specialists.