Golf Physiotherapy

What does a golf physiotherapy assessment look like?

It will begin like most other physio assessments; discussing the history of your pain, previous injuries, golfing history and ultimately your goals of what we are working towards. We will then have a look at your swing to have a look at your swing characteristics and identify any potential factors that may be contributing to your pain. Following this comes the physical screen which was developed by the Titleist Performance Institute. We will the be able to identify findings from the screen that may be contributing to your pain/ injury and linking it back to your swing characteristics. At the end of the session, we will then be able to develop a plan that will consist of the following depending on your goals:

Injury management

We will be able to treat golfers suffering pain or injury that is either caused by golf or effects their golf. Beginning with acute management including hands-on treatment and exercise- based treatment we can begin to manage this injury. Then combining this with a physical screen and video analysis I will be able to help determine the contributing cause of the golfer's pain so we can then go towards preventing the injury from occurring again.

Injury prevention

Our philosophy is that an efficient swing along with the resilience of our body equates to injury prevention. With the physical screening and video analysis we can make sure that the golfer's swing is efficient for the way their designed to move. Adding to this we will develop individualised programs to ensure the golfer's body is as resilient as possible to cover the second part of injury prevention. We want to make sure they're playing golf for as long as they wish to.

Maximising performance

We can develop individualised programs of exercises and stretches that can be tailored to either home and/or in the gym. These will be prescribed on the back of identifying the weaknesses in the physical screening. As the program develops there will also be general principles to help performance such as improving power. Our philosophy on maximising performance is focusing on stability and mobility as the cornerstones that the golfer can then create power from. Not only do we want the golfer to swing better but I also want to make sure they keep as healthy as possible too. We are also able to liaise with a golfer's coach/ instructor to ensure we are all on the same page and take a team approach to improving a golfer's game.

What is the physical screen?

Developed by the Titleist Performance Institute it comprises of a whole-body assessment of physical tests looking at mobility, strength, stability and balance. From there we can identify areas of weakness that may be impacting on the golfer's swing efficiency, as well as making sure they utilise their strengths to help them hit the ball further and more consistently. I very much agree with Titleist Performance Institute's philosophy that there isn’t one perfect way to swing a club, but each golfer has their own perfect way to swing.

What happens after the initial assessment?

We do offer a bundle special of an initial assessment followed by a subsequent session. The initial assessment is described above. From there the physio will develop a program that they will then go through with you in the subsequent session. If your injury requires further treatment, then the physio will outline a plan of subsequent sessions. Otherwise, it could be on an “as needed” basis for reviewing your program and re-assess for improvement.

What type of injuries can be treated?

Basically, any injury or pain that is related or effecting your golf. However, we do find that the most common injuries in golf are the following:

• Wrist pain- including sprains and tendonitis
• Neck pain
• Thoracic and lower back pain
• 'Tennis elbow'
• 'Golfer’s elbow'
• Osteoarthritis of the hip or knee
• Shoulder pain
• Hip and groin pain

Is a referral required?

No referral is required to see a golf physiotherapist for an initial assessment or subsequent consults.

Can I claim this service as an extra on my health insurance policy?

The golf physiotherapy assessments and subsequent consults are under the same code as a regular physio consult. Therefore, it could allow you to claim private health insurance rebates for these sessions. Check with your private health insurer whether it does cover physiotherapy.