Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) can offer significant benefits to PGA golfers potentially extending their careers: by addressing specific physical demands and common issues faced in the sport. Here’s a breakdown of the key muscle groups and common injuries by swing:
1. Backswing
Key Muscle Groups:
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Upper Back Muscles (Trapezius, Rhomboids): Responsible for initiating the rotation of the shoulders and torso.
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Latissimus Dorsi: Plays a crucial role in extending and rotating the upper body.
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Forearm Muscles: Maintain wrist stability and control
Common Injuries:
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Strains and Sprains: Due to the forceful rotation and extension of the upper body.
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Overuse Injuries: Including tendonitis in the shoulders, elbows, and wrists due to repetitive motion.
NMT Benefits
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Muscle Activation: NMT can activate and strengthen the key muscles involved in the backswing, improving their ability to generate power and control.
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Flexibility Enhancement: By addressing muscle tightness and imbalances, NMT can enhance flexibility, allowing for a smoother and more efficient backswing.
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Injury Prevention: Regular NMT sessions can help prevent strains and overuse injuries by maintaining optimal muscle function and mobility.
2. Downswing
Key Muscle Groups:
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Core Muscles (Abdominals, Obliques): Provide stability and generate power for the rotation of the torso.
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Glutes and Hip Flexors: Initiate the transfer of weight from the backswing to the downswing.
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Quadriceps and Hamstrings: Aid in maintaining posture and balance.
Common Injuries:
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Lower Back Pain: Resulting from the torque and rotational forces exerted on the lumbar spine.
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Hip and Knee Strains: Due to the rapid movement and weight transfer during the downswing.
NMT Benefits
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Core Activation: NMT techniques can activate and strengthen the core muscles, enhancing stability and power transfer during the downswing.
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Hip Mobility: Addressing tightness in the hip flexors and improving hip mobility can promote a smoother and more efficient downswing motion.
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Pain Management: NMT can help manage and alleviate lower back pain and other discomforts associated with the downswing, allowing for a more comfortable and effective swing.
3. Follow-Through:
Key Muscle Groups:
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Shoulders (Deltoids, Rotator Cuff): Used for the pull-out phase.
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Chest (Pectorals): Important for the pulling motion.
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Legs (Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Adductors, Calves): Crucial for the frog kick.
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Core (Abdominals, Obliques, Lower Back): Important for body position and movement
Common Injuries:
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Shoulder Strains: Resulting from the forceful rotation and extension of the shoulders during the follow-through.
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Elbow and Wrist Injuries: Including golfer's elbow and wrist sprains due to excessive force exertion.
NMT Benefits
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Muscle Relaxation: NMT techniques such as trigger point therapy can help release tension in the shoulders, arms, and wrists, reducing the risk of strains and overuse injuries.
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Improved Recovery: Post-round NMT sessions can aid in faster recovery from the stresses of the swing, reducing muscle soreness and fatigue.
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Long-Term Maintenance: Regular NMT sessions can help pro golfers maintain optimal muscle function and prevent injuries, potentially extending their careers and performance longevity.
Golfer Most Used Muscles :
Have you ever wondered which muscles are doing all the hard work in golf? Let's break it down simply: just like in football where certain muscles are MVPs for different positions, golfers rely on a set of key muscles to excel in their game. The pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, deltoids, and rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) are essential for shoulder and arm movements. The gluteus maximus, quadriceps, hamstrings, and erector spinae are crucial for stability, power, and flexibility in the lower body and core. By understanding and optimizing these muscles through targeted therapy and training, golfers can improve their swing, enhance their performance, and reduce the risk of injury.
Deltoids
Trigger Point Locations
:Front, side, and back of the shoulder
Referral Patterns
Shoulder and upper arm​
Neuromuscular Therapy Benefits
Improves shoulder stability and mobility, enhances swing control.
Latissimus
Trigger Point Locations:
Mid to lower back
Referral Patterns
Mid to lower back, down the inside of the arm to the hand
Neuromuscular Therapy Benefits
Reduces back tension, enhances shoulder mobility, increases swing flexibility.
Pectorals:
Trigger Point Locations:
Front of the chest
Referral Patterns
Front of the shoulder, down the arm
Neuromuscular Therapy Benefits
Releases chest tightness, improves shoulder range of motion, enhances swing power.
Gluteus Maximus
Trigger Point Locations:
Buttocks
Referral Patterns
Pain can radiate to the Lower back, hip, down the leg​
Neuromuscular Therapy Benefits
Increases hip strength and stability, enhances power and balance during the swing.
Hamstrings
Trigger Point Locations:
Back of the thigh
Referral Patterns
Pain can radiate to the back of the thigh and knee​
Neuromuscular Therapy Benefits
Enhances hip extension and knee flexion, improves lower body flexibility and power.
Rotator Cuff Muscles
Trigger Point Locations:
Shoulder
Referral Patterns
Pain can radiate to the Top, Front & Back of the shoulder, down the arm​
Neuromuscular Therapy Benefits
Enhances shoulder stability and mobility, reduces pain, prevents injury..
Youth Golfers
Unlocking Scholarships and Professional Goals:
Hey there, coaches, parents, and young athletes! Are you all about leveling up your golf skills while keeping injuries at bay? Well, you're in luck because we've got a winning strategy just for you.
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For young golfers dreaming of big goals, from earning college scholarships to pursuing a professional career, understanding how to navigate this journey can be both exciting and challenging. By integrating neuromuscular sports therapy from Elite Recovery into your training routine, you not only enhance your performance and prevent injuries but also position yourself as a competitive candidate for scholarships and professional golf careers. With personalized treatment plans, accelerated recovery, and comprehensive support, Elite Recovery empowers youth golfers to achieve their full potential on and off the course.
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Take Action: Book Your Appointment
Embrace the opportunity to optimize your athletic journey with Elite Recovery’s neuromuscular sports therapy, and pave the way towards realizing your golfing dreams!
Feel safe knowing:
As a parent of three athletes, I know the importance of trust and care. At Elite Recovery, your athletes are more than clients—they're family. We empower them to ask questions, adjust pressure, and understand their recovery process. Coaches, Teams, and Athletes—Partner with us to keep your team strong, pain-free, and performing at their best. Book a FREE 15-minute appt with Elite Recovery in Murrieta, CA today!
HOW CAN I BENEFIT YOU & YOUR TEAM?
I specialize in providing customized soft tissue pain relief and mobility solutions for elite athletes. I would love to become part of your sport performance team offering my expertise to athletes & teams looking to enhance performance and well-being, prevent soft tissue injuries and prepare injured athletes to return to competition.
01
Enhanced Recovery:
Speed up muscle repair, reduce post-game soreness, and optimize recovery time between intense training sessions.
02
Improved Flexibility:
increase your range of motion, allowing for fluid and efficient movements that give you an edge on the field
03
Mental Focus:
Reduce stress and anxiety, improve mental clarity, and enhance overall well-being, allowing you to perform at your best.
04
Injury Prevention and Recovery:
I prioritize the well-being of your athletes and aim to reduce the risk of injuries. Trained in Neuromuscular Therapy, FST-Neuromyofascial Tissue Practice, and Vodder Certified Manual Lymph Drainage, enabling me to identify potential areas of weakness or imbalance and provide targeted treatments to prevent injuries. In case of injuries, we offer effective recovery strategies to expedite healing and get your players back in the game.
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Pain Relief and Management:
I address muscle imbalances, release tension, and identify potential injury-prone areas, helping avoid setbacks and stay in peak condition. I understand that football players often experience chronic pain due to the physical demands of the sport. I have extensive experience in managing and alleviating pain through personalized soft therapy sessions. I work closely with your athletic team to understand their pain patterns and provide relief, allowing them to focus on their performance without discomfort.
Where Is Your Pain?
Pain has a pattern. When you come in for your session there is no guessing what soft tissue is contributing to your pain we are well verse in the pain patterns of the body.
Your nervous system is the command center for your body the nerve trunk that supplies a specific joint also supplies the muscles of the joint, as well as the tendons, skin and related muscles. This complex system regulates your body’s systems & guides almost everything you do and allows you to experience your environment. The nervous system holds the key to the body’s incredible potential to heal itself
