Golf chiropractor Shane Lawlor discusses the ‘X-factor’ swing, favoured by players like Rory McIlroy, and the importance of strength and conditioning.
Harder, better, faster, stronger.
Professional golfers are hitting the ball further and swinging the club with more force than ever before.
Advancements in club and ball technology, along with improved strength and conditioning training, have helped players smash driving distance records, forcing designers, particularly in the United States, to lengthen their courses.
Whether the arms race is good for the sport is up for debate. Another important discussion, however, is whether it’s good for the players.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine in February 2019 claimed the modern ‘X-factor’ swing – designed to increase distance – can cause back injuries.
The foot and ankle are often overlooked in golf when you consider the average round of golf will equate to about 10km of walking depending on how wayward your shots are.
One of the most important components of the foot is the big toe because of the impact it can have on your swing and walking during your round.
The right big toe is needed to load the right knee, quadriceps, and hip during the back swing and is also essential at impact through to follow through.
Signs of Big Toe Dysfunction:
Loss of Posture
Sway in golf swing
Limited follow through
Pain on walking
Hallux Rigidus:
One of the most common conditions we see in the clinic is hallux rigidus, where there is moderate to severe stiffness of the big toe. We use joint mobilisation, active release techniques (ART®) and functional integrated dry needling to improve the mobility of the joint. To help increase the joint range of motion and bring longer term results we give patients exercises based on functional range conditioning (FRC®)
Shane has been selected to speak at the inaugural European Golf & Fitness Symposium which will be held in Lisbon. Portugal this coming April 12th & 13th
This symposium will bring together international experts in the areas golf coaching, biomechanics, physical preparation, injury prevention, treatment and fitness.
Shane is one of Europe’s leading Sports Chiropractors and is an expert in the treatment, screening and rehabilitation of golf injuries. He has travelled extensively with professional golfers on both the European & PGA Tours since 2009 and worked with over 45 different tour pros.
For more information on the European Golf & Fitness Symposium visit the website
Yours in Health
Lawlor Clinic: Spine & Sport, Portlaoise, Laois
Experts in the Assessment, Treatment & Rehab of Golf Injuries
As many of you will have read over the past couple of days Rory Mcilroy had to withdraw from this week’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in the middle east after it was confirmed by MRI that he suffered a stress fracture of one of his ribs.
What is Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone usually caused by overloading and by an increase in activity. They are normally seen in the weight bearing joints of the body including the foot, shin, thigh and hip.
Rory had been doing increased testing with his golf equipment in the off season due to Nike taking themselves out of the golf equipment market. This meant that Rory Mcilroy hit a lot more balls than his standard practice and this is the likely cause of the rib stress fracture as he didn’t have a fall or trauma.
What is the recovery time?
The most likely recovery time for a stress fracture is about 6 weeks which allows the bone to heal. The patient or athlete is usually prescribed full rest to allow the bone to heal. It will be very difficult to hit any balls during the 6 weeks as all golf shots will put load through the rib cage except putting.
Reducing the Pain?
Laser Therapy, Active Release Techniques (ART®) and Kinesiotaping can all help to reduce the pain levels during the recovery process. Load management is key to preventing a reoccurrence of a rib stress fracture.
Your GP will also be able to prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories, these will also help with pain reduction.
More about Golf Chiro
Shane is one of Europe’s leading Golf Performance Therapists having worked with over 40 different professional golfers on both the European & PGA Tours over the past 8 years. If your golf club is interested in having Shane do a presentation or talk on Golf Injuries & Injury Prevention or Performance & Fitness. Contact the clinic on 0578678904 or email info@lawlorclinic.ie
If you are suffering from any golf related injuries and would like to book an appointment please contact us today
Yours in Health
The Lawlor Clinic: Portlaoise
Experts in the Assessment, Treatment & Rehab of Golf Injuries
If you are a follower of the golf world, you probably have heard the latest news from the world’s number 1 golfer, Rory McIlroy. It is suspected that he damaged his anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), while playing soccer. What golf fans are dying to know is, how long will it take him to come back from this? If it is confirmed to be a full rupture of the ligament, typically that takes somewhere between 8-12 weeks to recover from. But with the right treatment the process can be helped along. As Ireland’s leading golf injuries experts here are our top tips for recovery from such an injury:
Laser therapy -Why laser therapy? It helps speed recovery by stimulating the tissues to heal. We are one of the first in Ireland to have a Lite Cure Medical Class IV laser.
Rock Tape – kinesiotaping can be very beneficial for injuries, not only for decreasing swelling in the area, but providing support that does not restrict movement.
Joint mobility– we have all heard the saying, “use it or lose it”. This is especially true in the body. It has been shown that keeping joints moving after injuries actually helps them improve faster, by improving circulation in the area and maintaining range of motion.
ART® – Active Release Techniques ® can help to release tight muscles, ligaments, and joints in the area, improving range of motion and helping speed healing.
IASTM– Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation- helps to break down adhesions and scar tissue in the area and promotes proper healing of the injury.
Active Rehabilitation– tailored exercises can help keep the joint moving and strengthen surrounding muscles. One of the best exercises post ankle injury is balance work, to help regain proprioception in the joint.
Ice with compression- devices such as the Game Ready, can help with pain management as well as helping decrease swelling after an injury.
The ankle is such an important joint, especially for athletes. Any dysfunction here can lead to problems throughout the body, so proper treatment and rehab after injuries is vital. With the right approach it is possible to return from such an injury and get back to playing with minimal residual issues.
Contact us today to see if we can help with your recovery from injury.
Yours in Health,
The Lawlor Clinic
Chiropractic | Golf & Sports Injuries | Active Release Techniques (ART®)
