Why do people develop lower back pain while playing golf?

Lower Back Pain Golf

You swing a club and hit a ball. You get to drive a sweet golf cart and get in some walking, too. Then, you get to hang out with your friends at the clubhouse after your round. That’s what most people think golf is like all the time. 

The truth is that golf is a physical activity that can lead to many different types of pain if you aren’t careful — and lower back pain, or lumbar pain, is one of the most common of these. One research study reveals that up to 36% of male golfers and 27% of female golfers develop lower back pain. 

Physical therapists can help you learn why people develop lower back pain while playing golf, and these medical professionals can also help you find effective lower back pain treatment. 

Here are three reasons golfers often develop lower back pain:

  1. The swing — You have to swing a club to hit a golf ball, and hitting it long distances requires that you use your whole body. The twisting motion of the golfer’s swing can injure multiple structures in your lower back. For example, this motion could strain a lower back muscle. It could also cause a lumbar disc to herniate, and these issues can lead to significant lumbar pain. 
  1. The frequent bending forward — Think about the bent-forward position you take when lining up your shots. You repeat that position over and over throughout a round of golf. Players also have to bend forward to pick up their golf balls. All this forward bending puts a lot of stress on your lower back muscles, which can leave them tired, stiff and sore. 
  1. A weak core — Your lower back muscles work with other muscles. Some of these include your abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles and diaphragm. Weakness in any one of your core muscle groups puts more strain on the others. Adding in the strain of playing golf can be enough to injure the lumbar muscles and trigger pain. 

Treat lower back pain from playing golf with help from SSOR

Developing lower back pain every time you play golf? Our Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation team is primed to help you address your pain and its causes. We can determine the source of your pain by doing a free screening of your lower back. Next, our physical therapists will build you an individualized therapy plan designed to: 

  • Reduce your pain.
  • Improve your flexibility and strength. 
  • Address poor playing form. 
  • Decrease your risk of future sports injuries. 

You’ll even be able to treat your pain from home by using our virtual physical therapy and at-home care services. 

Contact us today for more information about our sports injury and lower back pain treatment services or to schedule your initial appointment to begin treating your pain.