Why the Thoracic Spine May Be Causing Pain in Other Joints
Are you frustrated with persistent lower back pain on the golf course no matter what you have tried to alleviate it? Has your shoulder been bothering you when you swing the golf club? You may have issues in your thoracic spine, causing pain in other joints.
At Coast Rehab, our physical therapists assess the whole body when finding what is causing your aches and pains. We can help you figure out the root cause of your condition and give you the tools to resolve it once and for all!
In the physical therapy realm, we understand the importance of regional interdependence. This is a fancy term that refers to the concept that what seem to be unrelated impairments in a different anatomical region may contribute to or be the cause of your primary complaint. Too often, people assume that the site of their pain is also the site of their problem.
Fortunately, at Coast Rehab, our physical therapists are movement experts. We understand the interrelatedness of the musculoskeletal system and, more importantly, address all restrictions and weaknesses that may be causing your symptoms.
Request an appointment with one of our specialists and see if a whole-body assessment is suitable for you!
What is the thoracic spine and its role in golf?
The thoracic spine connects the cervical spine (above) and the lumbar spine (below). It is the only spinal region attached to the rib cage and protects most of our internal organs.
The thoracic spine plays an essential role in the function of both the shoulder and lower back. Although the thoracic spine is generally considered a stable area due to the association with the rib cage, the golf swing serves as a mobile region. Thoracic rotation is vital to proper swing mechanics. If it lacks rotation motion, the body has to make up for it in other areas, and typically the lumbar spine compensates for the limitations.
Impingement is one of the most common shoulder injuries associated with golfing. In the shoulder region, the shoulder blade (scapula) moves along the thoracic region and directly influences the biomechanics of the shoulder complex as a whole. For example, a rounded thoracic spine (kyphosis) negatively affects the shoulder and predisposes the golfer to impingement syndrome.
When the thoracic spine isn’t functioning correctly, the golfer is more likely to develop overuse-type injuries due to improper swing mechanics. Fortunately, our physical therapists use a whole-body approach to our assessments and therapeutic exercises. We can help identify where you have restrictions and weaknesses and, more importantly, how to resolve them so you can swing without fear of pain or injury!
How physical therapy can help your pain and improve your performance
Golfing is often thought to be more of a leisure sport than a vigorous activity, but the sheer volume of repetitions needed to swing the golf club makes it a lot more challenging than most think. In addition, the force generated by swinging the club has been measured to be equivalent to the force a football player generates when hitting a tackling sled.
The golf swing is an incredibly complex movement that requires the coordination and timing of the entire body to perform correctly. The interconnectedness of the joints, muscles, and nervous system allows for a beautiful swing and, at the same time, makes us susceptible to pain and injury.
Several research studies have demonstrated the effective use of this “whole body” examination and treatment approach in achieving results in various musculoskeletal disorders related to golfing. Generally speaking, a lack of motion in one segment shifts the responsibility to a neighboring segment, leading to pain or injury. A dysfunctional segment (i.e., decreased range of motion or strength) will lead to compensation in a region nearby.
Our team uses a regional examination and treatment approach to ensure we address the individual’s needs for optimal results. We know that using a whole-body system leads to the best outcomes for pain relief and improved performance on the course!
What to expect at your physical therapy sessions
Our physical therapists help golfers in a variety of ways. We will start with an injury evaluation and a whole-body movement assessment, including swing analysis, to identify all the factors that may be contributing to your pain/injury. This will consist of a thorough history to understand your history of pain and injury in other body areas and your overall health status.
Finding your ideal posture can alleviate painful conditions at the shoulder and lower back and help your swing a golf club correctly. Our therapists use this information to develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques to the thoracic spine even if your pain is at the shoulder or lower back. We will use targeted mobility work and strengthening to address your individual limitations. In addition, we will teach you how to identify and achieve your natural posture.
Your physical therapist will incorporate golf-specific treatments with a dynamic warm-up that addresses your personal needs. We will focus on progressing your strength and dynamic stability exercises designed to restore function and prevent injuries. We will also incorporate balance and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help ensure you can swing with proper form to avoid future injuries.
Request an appointment today!
No matter where you are experiencing pain or injury, our team of physical therapists uses a whole-body approach to assess and treat our patients. We can help alleviate your pain and improve your ability to hit that little white ball!
Contact Coast Rehab to schedule a whole-body assessment with one of our specialists!
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8169011/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173996/
https://www.jospt.org/doi/pdf/10.2519/jospt.2012.4142
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2813499/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27475532/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4242938/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4713806/