HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME

Your golf swing is all about proper body mechanics. A good golf swing requires full rotational capacity of nearly every joint involved and must be done - efficiently - easily - explosively - repeatedly. Many swing faults are directly attributable to poor joint mobility, resulting from soft tissue restrictions.

In golf, as with any physical activity, it is possible to injure yourself. Muscles, tendons and ligaments can be strained or torn. For your knowledge, tendons attach muscles to bone, and ligaments attach bone to bone. Tendons and muscles have good nerve supply and good circulation. They heal quickly (however, this is relative to the condition of the individual, age of the individual, and the health of the individual. The worse the physical condition, the older the individual, the poorer the health, then the slower the healing process).

Muscles heal more rapidly than tendons, since they have a better blood supply. Ligaments, on the other hand, have poor blood and nerve supply. They heal slowly, and sometimes, never heal properly.

When the balance of any of the muscle groups is altered (usually short/tight), the movement patterns of the joint are compensated (usually restricted).

WHY DO MY MUSCLES FEEL TIGHT?

Muscles become shortened due to injury, from trauma, or from repetitive strains that can cause micro-tears. The scar tissue, which forms at the injury, site is less elastic and more fibrotic than normal tissue, and cause muscles to gradually loose their stretch component. Short tight muscles are weaker, more prone to injury, and play havoc with your golf swing.

Usually more than one muscle is involved. The body lays down fibrous adhesions between these muscles that restrict the muscles ability to slide freely past one another, disrupt joint mechanics, and cause the muscles to feel tight. Shortened muscles and tightened joints, all combine to impair coordination, reduce power, and result in further injuries. This cycle will repeat itself unless these restrictions are released.

I HAVE TRIED TO STRETCH NOW WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

Even individuals such as professional athletes who are constantly stretching find it difficult to release these soft tissue adhesions. This is why so athletes are seeking out Active Release Technique (ART) to release and remove these restrictions. Dr. Irving is a certified Active Release Technique practitioner. Scar tissue (or soft tissue adhesions) are several times stronger that normal tissue. Often muscle groups will literally adhere to each other, preventing the sliding necessary for full mobility. During normal stretching, the first tissue that elongates is not the scar tissue, but the normal healthy tissue. Stretching is essential at the right time, but it may never releases the restrictions that often occur between two soft tissue surfaces.

Once the shortened muscles are identified, ART treatment works to break up the adhesion/scar tissue and return integrity back to the soft tissue. This is accomplished by:

1) Maintaining a contact on the adhesion, with the muscle in a shortened position.
2) Then elongating the muscle along its fiber orientation to break up the adhesion.

Once the adhesion is broken up, the soft tissue can glide unimpeded, allowing you to reach the positions your golf professional is showing you without tension, pain, or further injury.

OK NOW I AM READY LETS TAKE THE TEST

Perform all the tests in this article. After taking these tests and stretching out the tight muscles if you find that your body is still restricting your golf swing just give us a call. At Langley Sports and Rehabilitation Soft Tissue Management Systems we can usually free up these restrictions in a short period of time and provide you with the appropriate exercises, so that those restrictions do not return.

Model for the photos in this program are compliments of Bill Oulton, golf professional at Redwoods Golf Course.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS WHEN STRETCHING

You should not feel any sudden tears, rips, or rapid burning sensations when stretching. Moving slowly and listening to your body can avoid injuries. You may feel discomfort, pulling, and mild burning in the muscles when you hold a stretch for a few minutes (which I recommend as you become more comfortable with stretching). Breathe deeply when you feel these sensations, as you bring fresh oxygen to the muscle tissues, which help with their recovery. As the muscles stretch and relax, the position becomes more comfortable.

Don't be discouraged if a certain stretch seems impossible at first. Persistence and determination will help you achieve your goals. Remember, go slow, take your time, and listen to your body. There is no hurry. Feel the muscles work. Let go of the tension. This will allow you to learn about your body.

• Wrist Flexor Stretch -
• Wrist Extensor Stretch -
• Spinal Rotation Test -
• Shoulder Adduction -
• Over Head Stretch & Tilt -
• Quadriceps Test & Stretch -
• Internal Shoulder Rotators -
• Internal & External Hip Rotator Test -
• Hip Flextor Test -
• Hamstring & Calf Flexibility Test -
• Groin Stretch -
• External Shoulder Rotators -

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