Giving up golf due to persistent hip pain isn’t ideal; not only do you miss out on essential exercise, but you feel disheartened by giving up something you love. However, what your chiropractor wants you to know is that you may not need to give up the game altogether, as there are ways to manage your hip pain through chiropractic treatment and adjustment of your technique. Below, we divulge some ways you can play golf with hip pain, helping you to keep playing without further injuring yourself.

Always warm-up

It’s easy to aggravate or intensify your hip pain when you lack blood flow to the affected area. As golfing requires you to engage your body in quick motions, you can heighten your hip pain almost immediately after you start playing. Prioritise a warm-up of your joints, especially your hips and knees, helping to get your body warm and blood flowing to your aching joints.

Rest and stretch when necessary

Though walking will help to rehabilitate most hip injuries and help manage hip pain, you will inevitably feel sore and tired. When possible, rest in short bursts, taking the pressure off the area and stretching gently during that time. Using a seated golf cart will help you manage this better, as you will always have somewhere to sit comfortably and you won’t have to look for somewhere to rest in between holes.

With the added assistance of not having to carry your clubs, which also adds to the pressure on your joints, you give your hips the rest they need. Your chiropractor will happily provide you with the stretches and exercises to perform between holes, especially preventative techniques that will help you avoid long periods sitting down.

Adjust your technique

It's common to experience a restricted range of motion due to your hip injury or increased pain. It may prevent you from reaching your full swing or completing your regular movement. Adjusting how you stand and swing is essential to protect the area, taking the pressure off the affected area and redistributing to other stronger parts of your body. You may need to seek training from a golf instructor, as well as your chiropractor, to find a stance and swing that helps your golf game. If your hip pain requires you to wear a brace, you may find you need added assistance to find the right movement.

Heat and ice

Recovering is essential after your golf game, primarily to ensure you can keep playing while managing your discomfort. By using a combination of heat and ice, as well as massage and chiropractic treatment, you will decrease the likelihood of reinjuring yourself or creating a flare-up of pain. If you enjoy playing golf and suffer from any joint pain, contact us today to discuss treatment options for you!