Golf InjuriesBack Pain, Golfer's Elbow & Shoulder

Yes, and the specificity is actually useful diagnostic information. Pain that is reliably triggered by one activity suggests a particular loading pattern rather than general degeneration. For golf, that usually means the swing is concentrating load in a specific segment, and there's a mechanical reason for it. Addressing the thoracic mobility, hip rotation, and lumbar mechanics that drive golf back pain can help reduce it and may also support more efficient swing mechanics by restoring the range of motion that was restricted.

That depends on the presentation. For chronic back pain that has been building over months, the usual approach is modification rather than stopping. Continuing to play at reduced frequency during treatment is often possible. If you had an acute incident and are in significant pain, 1-3 weeks off the course is typical, though most acute golf-related back pain improves within a few weeks regardless of intervention. Elbow and shoulder tendinopathies follow similar logic: modification rather than complete rest is usually the goal. I'll give you specific load guidance after the first visit.

Often yes. The same restrictions that cause injury (limited thoracic rotation, restricted trail hip internal rotation, tight hip flexors) also limit swing mechanics. Golfers sometimes notice that their backswing improves and their swing feels more efficient after treatment that was primarily aimed at injury management. If you want to work with your swing coach on technique after treatment, I'm happy to communicate about your physical capacity and any remaining restrictions.

Progressive tendon loading, specifically eccentric and isometric wrist flexion exercises, is the recommended first-line approach. Cortisone injections may reduce short-term pain, but for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), physiotherapy outperforms injection from six weeks onward, and corticosteroid injection was associated with worse outcomes at one year in systematic review data. Direct high-quality trial data for medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) is more limited, but the tendinopathy principles are similar. Glucocorticoid has significant negative effects on tendon cell viability and collagen synthesis, which helps explain why it does not address the underlying issue for chronic presentations. Equipment changes (lighter club, thicker grip) can also reduce medial elbow load during the return-to-play phase.

It depends on what's driving the problem. If it's a mechanical swing issue without injury, a qualified teaching pro with experience in biomechanics is the right starting point. If there's pain or injury, both chiropractic and physiotherapy address the musculoskeletal component, and there is genuine overlap between the two. Where they tend to differ: a chiropractic assessment places specific emphasis on joint mobility at each spinal segment, including thoracic rotation, and hands-on joint mobilization is a central part of treatment. If previous physiotherapy focused primarily on exercise and soft tissue work without thoracic joint assessment, that is a genuine clinical distinction and worth finding out whether that specific piece was covered. Once pain is under control and mobility has improved, a swing coach can work with the better physical capacity you have. I'm happy to communicate with your coach about physical capacity and any remaining restrictions during recovery.