Swinging your club in the breeze of spring is surely a refreshing activity, however, the apparently benign game can take a toll on your body. The amateur players are overly enthusiastic to achieve unrealistic feats that put them at a greater risk of injuries. In addition to enhancing your game performance, massage for golfers can bring about the ultimate calmness and serenity.
Not just the newbies but the avid veterans are also faced with different aches after a game of golf. Therefore, sports massage for golfers is a good idea. Right?
Most Common Injuries In Golfers
The most common injuries entailed with golf include:
Neck Spasm
Golfers may experience neck sprains and spasms. A prolonged game of golf involving swinging of the club and hitting the ball can pull the muscles of your upper back. This is especially true for new players who are unaware of the proper postures.
Different types of neck disorders are identified in golfers which include:
- Muscle strains
- Degenerative arthritis of the neck vertebrae
- Spinal stenosis
Low Back Pain
Research shows that the incidence of low back pain (LBP) associated with golf ranges varies between amateurs and professionals. The incidence of LBP in amateurs is 15-34% while the values are less for professionals i.e. 22-24%.
This is the most common sports injury in golfers that can not only hinder game but also debilitate life. A study suggests that playing golf involves significant movement during the golf swing. Repetitive “classic” swinging increases the risk of lower back pain development.
As per meta-analysis players with increased weight and body mass generally have poor body mechanics which makes them more prone to develop back pain. The biomechanical factors associated with back pain include hip strength/mobility, rotation of the pelvis and the trunk.
Massage for the golfer’s back might put an end to all misery and pain!
Wrist Tendinitis
Golfers are faced with a unique muscle disorder called “yips”. Yips is characterized by a muscle spasm occurring in the wrist whenever you are trying to grip and perform some chore. This is mostly seen in golfers and baseball players.
It can take different forms. For some, it is locking of the wrist while others may feel tremors and jerks. The jerky type is the most common one. Studies have recognized yips as a common muscle dystonia disorder in golfers.
According to a study, hand/wrist injury is identified as the most commonly reported injury in golfers (6-37%).
Another study found that the ECU tendon (in the wrist) is a frequent cause of pain and discomfort in golfers. Therefore, hand and wrist massage for golfers can lead to pain relief and improved movement.
Hand And Finger Injuries
Golfers have to deliver a lot of forces through their hands and fingers. Therefore, these parts are more prone to twisting and aching. Finger injuries are not very common but still are capable of hindering you from playing.
Rotator Cuff Injury
Studies have shown that poor biomechanics while playing put you closer to shoulder pain. Rotator cuff injury while playing golf is common. Professionals and semi-professionals can develop this ache.
Overuse of the shoulder and poor swing mechanics are also causes of shoulder pain, a study suggests.
Golfer’s Elbow (Tennis Elbow)
Golfer’s elbow also known as tennis elbow is a condition in which pain is felt in the tendons of the forearm. The pain is usually accompanied by tenderness and inflammation. Medically it is known as medial epicondylitis.
Overuse of the elbow (such as that while playing golf or tennis) is the leading cause of this issue. Therefore, it is named as tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow.
Hip Injuries
As per an article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine golfers have a different hip morphology. During a shot (swinging of the club), the lead hip (right hip for a left-handed player and vice versa) rotates rapidly while the trail hip rotates in an opposite direction. This movement makes them prone to tears (labral tears).
Knee Pain
Knee pain may also arise in professional golf players. The pain may be more pronounced in people with underlying degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
How To Treat Golf Injuries
There is a wide variety of methods to treat injuries brought about by the game. However, the best way to go at them is by having a massage.
Massage: The Most Effective Pain-Killer
Massage is like gospel for players. Be it any sports injury, massage can magically flush out all pains, spams, and rigidities from your muscles. The most evident benefits of a massage include:
Improvements In Flexibility
Flexibility is a very important component for a player. It allows for quicker responses and better performance. An increase in range of motion and flexibility will surely improve your game. A study found out that massage is a good way to increase ankle mobility.
Another study states that massage therapy decreases pain while increasing your range of motion.
Corrects Your Posture
A correct posture is pivotal for optimal game performance. A study recognized different parameters necessary for proper golf training. Posture, body rotation, and arm/wrist action are identified as important aspects.
Massage for golfers helps the players improve generalized and game posture as well.
Improves Blood Circulation
Massage of the upper/lower back and limbs can rejuvenate your body. This is attributed to the increase in blood flow you get post-massage therapy. The enhanced blood supply of the body flushes out toxins and inflammation, thus, enabling you to move pain-free and stiffness-free.
According to a study, massage therapy reduces muscle fatigue by improving blood supply.
Fortifies Muscles And Prevents Injuries
There are numerous studies that promote the use of massage therapy to prevent sports injuries. You might have seen assistants massaging the boxer at the end of a round. The massage is a multi-beneficial therapy as it reduces pain, and prevents injuries.
A study claims that massage increases the rate of recovery (from injury) by improving blood circulation. It also claims that having regular massages can decrease the risk of injuries.
Another study found out that massage has biomechanical, physiological, and psychological impacts on the body that help in reducing the risk of sports injury.
An Effective Treatment Modality For Sports (Golf) Injuries
Yes! Massage is an effective treatment modality in the management of sports-related injuries. Research has justified the ancient method of deep friction massage for relieving sports injuries.
Neck Spasms
Massage therapy can be tailored to efficiently alleviate pain arising from a golf injury. A study suggests that massage devices can be efficiently used in the management of neck injury from sports. The participants of the study reported having lesser pain and improved pressure pain threshold (PPT).
Neck spasms are best treated with massage. Massage for golfers is designed to pay special attention to the muscles of the neck.
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is a stubborn disease that just doesn’t respond to medications. You might fall in the pit of backache all of a sudden or may develop it chronically. According to a study, back pain is highly prevalent in athletes and players. Effective treatments include heat therapy, spinal manipulation, and massage).
Massage for golfers back increases spine flexibility and mobility while simultaneously alleviating pain and lumbar disability, a study suggests.
Yips/Hand/Wrist Pain
Research shows that massage therapy effectively reduces inflammation and discomfort in cases of wrist tendonitis. People suffering from yips can have improvements in grip and swing by having massage therapy regularly.
A study found out that special massage for golfers is effective in improving grip strength and muscle performance.
Rotator Cuff Injury
A shoulder pain that sprouts up as a consequence of an intense game of golf can be soothed with a massage session. In a study experiences of 29 patients with shoulder pain undergoing physiotherapy (soft tissue massage) were noted. At the end of the study, the participants claimed to have reductions in pain and improvements in function.
Massage therapy increases the physical range of motion of rotator cuff muscles quite impressively, a study suggests.
Golfer’s Elbow
The range of motion of the elbow (in golfer’s elbow patients) is improved following a massage therapy session. The claim was confirmed by a study carried out in 2016. This common adverse outcome of sports can be efficiently managed using massage therapy.
Visiting massage therapy is difficult at times (especially when you are tired after a long game of golf). There ought to be some other way to relax your body and heal your muscles. Some of your friends might recommend you self-massage for a golfer’s elbow but to be honest there is no substitute for a therapist’s hands.
Benefits Of Having A Massage For Golfers Facility In The Golf Club
It Is Convenient
It would be ideal to get a massage right in the golf club so that you can relax and quickly flush out the pain from your body. An appropriate message on these points makes you feel as light as a feather.
Massage for golfers in the golf club is a blessing for many players as it is convenient. You don’t need to specially visit a massage therapist for your muscular problems.
It Is Time And Money-Saving
An in-club massage for golfers is time-saving and economical too. You don’t need to travel long distances to reach a therapy center. Get free from the game and sit comfortably in the chair where your therapist will deliver quick, effective presses to the sore, achy muscles.
You can save commuting charges too
.
Gives Business To The Golf Club Owners
In today’s world of advertising, expanding your business is both difficult and easy at the same time. Advertising is easier thanks to the fast media platforms while getting organic customers is difficult because of the increased competition.
In such a scenario, the added facility of massage for golfers will surely boost clients. Players worried about their physical fitness shall lure into the two-in-one golf course facility. Thus, with a massage chair in the golf club, owners can expect to see more players than usual.
Proof Of Massage For Golfers’ Efficacy
Massage therapists can effectively improve your condition even at a work or play area. Massages at the workplace are very good at providing relief to workers. Similarly sports massage for golfers can prove to be a great idea.
Whatever the cause may be, muscular discomforts faced by workers and professional players are the same. There may be a variation in the degree of pain.
A study shows that massage twice a week for 1 month can significantly reduce musculoskeletal pain and discomfort.
Rest
Another important step to take after suffering from a sports injury (golf injury) is to rest. This may be the hardest treatment option to follow for enthusiastic players. But it is a proven fact that lack of rest and overuse of muscles further aggravates the issue.
In case of an acute injury, you should abandon the game for some time until pain subsides and normal muscle strength is regained.
Hot/Cold Therapy
Applying ice to acutely injured and inflamed areas will help in reducing inflammation/pain. Players are frequently sprayed with cold topical analgesics to reduce pain and inflammation.
On the other hand, heat application can reduce tension from sore muscles and improve range of motion. Hot water baths are also helpful in reducing pressure from taught and sore muscles.
Physical Therapy/Chiropractor
In severe cases, you should visit a physical therapist or a chiropractor. If your pain does not seem to respond to massage and rest, then you better visit a physiotherapist.
Getting physical therapy sessions has proven to be beneficial for many. Following the exercises guided by the therapist can also help in easing you out.
Medications
You can pair up chair massages with pain-killer medications. Over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, or naproxen sodium can do the job.
Muscle relaxants can also provide the added effect of soothing your muscles.
Steroids
Steroids are a last resort of treatment. When the pain doesn’t seem to respond to any of the above modalities the doctor might recommend you injectable or systemic steroids.
Conclusion
Golf is a technique-specific game. If played with improper biomechanics and posture it can cause problems. Just like other sports, golf injuries are also common which include neck spasms, low back pain, rotator cuff injury, golfer’s elbow, and yips (wrist tendon pain).
The best way of treating these injuries is by getting a massage. Massage for golfers aims at specific injury-prone areas of the players. If this kind of sports massage is provided in the golf club, a lot of players can be saved from serious injuries. Massage for golfers can also enable the sportsmen to regain flexibility and fitness.
