Golf can put a lot of stress on your shoulders, especially with every swing and follow-through. Physiotherapy offers effective ways to reduce shoulder pain and improve your game. Many golfers in Fleetwood deal with sore or stiff shoulders that get in the way of enjoying time on the course.
You can find relief through hands-on treatments, personalized exercises, and advice on how to move better. Working with a physiotherapist can help you heal, prevent future pain, and get back to playing at your best.
Shoulder pain often affects your golf swing, comfort on the course, and even daily activities. Knowing the main causes, early symptoms, and how pain can impact your game helps you make better choices for relief and recovery.
The shoulder moves a lot during a golf swing. This repeated motion can strain muscles and tendons over time. Rotator cuff injuries are a leading cause of pain, often happening from swinging too hard or poor technique.
You might also experience tendinitis, where the tendons in your shoulder get irritated or inflamed. Arthritis can also set in with age or heavy use. Ligament sprains and muscle strains are common if you don’t warm up well or use the wrong clubs.
Table: Common Causes and Their Triggers
Cause | Typical Triggers |
Rotator Cuff Injury | Overuse, poor form |
Tendinitis | Repetition, lack of rest |
Arthritis | Aging, past injuries |
Ligament Sprain | Sudden movement, slips |
Early signs include dull aches or sharp pain when you lift your arm. You might notice pain during certain parts of your swing, especially backswing or follow-through. Stiffness or weakness can make lifting your clubs difficult.
Watch for swelling or a clicking sound in the shoulder. Pain that keeps you up at night often means a bigger problem. If you have trouble reaching across your body or above your head, this can signal an underlying injury.
Shoulder pain can reduce your range of motion and lower your swing speed. Missing shots or feeling pain can also make you lose confidence in your game. You might start changing your grip or movement to avoid discomfort, which can lead to poor technique and new injuries.
Weakness in the shoulder can make it hard to complete a full swing or create enough power. Even practice sessions may feel more tiring or less productive. Without proper care, small pain can turn into a bigger problem and keep you off the course.
Physiotherapy offers hands-on and exercise-based options to help with shoulder pain. You can expect a step-by-step approach to ease pain, restore movement, and help prevent future issues.
A physiotherapist starts by assessing your shoulder. They will ask about your pain, examine your range of motion, and check for weakness or swelling. Sometimes they use special tests to find out which structures may be injured, such as tendons or muscles.
Your treatment plan will be based on what is found in your assessment. No two shoulder issues are exactly the same. Your program could include rest, ice or heat, specific exercises, or guidance on changing your golf swing.
Your therapist may set short-term and long-term goals with you. You will know what to expect each week and how to track your progress.
Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to reduce pain and stiffness. Common methods are:
These techniques can help improve blood flow to your shoulder and make it easier to move. Manual therapy also helps relax tight muscles and may decrease swelling.
Your physiotherapist may also use taping or other tools to support your shoulder during activities. Manual therapy usually works best when combined with other treatments.
Exercises are a key part of your recovery. They aim to restore your shoulder’s range of motion and make it stronger so you can return to golf.
Types of exercises you might do:
Goal | Example Exercise |
Increase motion | Pendulum swings |
Strengthen muscles | Resistance band rows |
Improve stability | Wall push-ups |
Stretch tight areas | Cross-body stretch |
You may start with simple movements and progress to more challenging activities. Sticking with your exercise plan helps your shoulder heal and makes a return to golf safer.
Preventing future shoulder pain is important, especially if you want to keep playing golf. Your physiotherapist can teach you ways to avoid further problems.
This may include tips on warming up, cooling down, and using the right form. Learning to pay attention to early signs of pain or fatigue can help you avoid injury.
You might also get advice on changing your golf technique or the kind of equipment you use. Regular home exercises and follow-up visits can help manage your shoulder health over time.
Taking care of your shoulder is important if you want to keep playing golf comfortably. Physiotherapy offers safe ways to manage pain and help you get stronger.
You can try manual therapy, exercises, ultrasound, or taping. These treatments work best when they are chosen to fit your specific needs.
If you are in the Fleetwood area and need help for shoulder pain, you can visit us at Surrey 152 St (Fleetwood) Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic in Surrey, BC.
We can answer your questions, check your shoulder, and help you plan the next steps for pain relief. You deserve to enjoy your game with less pain and more confidence.
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