Golf Injury Treatment - Spokane, WA
GOLFER'S ELBOW--ASSESSING THE PATH TO RECOVERY
Elbow pain is a common golf injury we treat at the Movement Clinic. Understanding the problem is usually the first step to the solution.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Pain that follows you on and off the course
"It's the worst at the end of a round."
"I can only play if I swing really carefully."
"I've rested, iced and it still hurts everyday."
"I'm losing speed and my contact is off."
"It's crazy, practice is hurting more than playing a round."
"It used to be just golf, but now holding a gallon of milk hurts."
Why It Happens
Two swing patterns we see in almost every golfer with elbow pain
COMING OVER THE TOP
Coming over the top happens when the upper body initiates the golf swing. Typically, to compensate, the position of the hands changes at impact. When players come over the top, the trail wrist is typically flexed which aggravates the muscles that attach to the inside of the elbow. The lead wrist is usually extended which aggravates the muscles that attach to the outside of the elbow.
CASTING
Casting is releasing the club too early in the down swing. This changes the position of the hands at impact. When a player casts, the trail wrist is typically flexed which aggravates the muscles that attach to the inside of the elbow. The lead wrist is usually extended which aggravates the muscles that attach to the outside of the elbow.
What's Driving It
The physical reasons these patterns develop
Swing faults don't happen in isolation. They're usually the body's way of working around a physical limitation. When we evaluate golfers with elbow pain, we commonly find one or more of these:
OVERUSE
Elbow pain is typically an overuse injury in golf. Reducing the volume of golf is often part of the recovery process while treatment can be performed to calm inflamed muscles of the elbow.
TRUNK MOBILITY LIMITATIONS
Most golf instructors encourage their players to keep the lead arm straight. When a player has poor mobility in the torso,this can put excessive stress on the elbow.
INADEQUATE WARM-UP
Most golfers go from a desk or a car seat directly to the first tee. Cold, stiff tissue limits mobility and magnifies swing faults. A 5-10 minute targeted warm-up makes a measurable difference.
POOR GRIP STRENGTH
When players have poor grip strength this can lead to them "casting", or losing the wrist angle early in their swing. The muscles of the shoulder and elbow have to work overtime to try and slow down the club.
POOR LOWER BODY MECHANICS
When the legs aren't producing force efficiently from the ground, golfers can end up "casting", "chicken-winging", or "coming over the top". Each of these can put excessive forces on the elbow.
POOR RECOVERY BETWEEN ROUNDS
Small irritations accumulate. Without consistent recovery work between rounds, stiff joints and tight muscles compound--turning a minor issue into persistent pain that follows you all season.
Our Approach
How we evaluate golf-related elbow pain at the Movement Clinic
Most elbow pain treatment starts with the symptom. We start with the movement--because that's where the answer usually is.
01
FULL MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT
We assess basic mobility, stability, and movement patterns across your whole body--not just your elbow. This reveals any physical limitations which may be contributing to the problem, not just where it hurts.
02
GOLF-SPECIFIC BIOMECHANICAL TESTING
We assess your strength, power and swing mechanics to see how your physical limitations connect to your swing pattern. Understanding whether pain is coming from physical restrictions, swing mechanics, or both shapes everything that comes next.
03
SPORTS CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Targeted adjustments restore motion to stiff joints and reduce irritation to the affected areas of the body. Soft-tissue treatments help loosen muscles and reduce pain.
04
GOLF-SPECIFIC REHABILITATION
We use exercises to help you learn how to use the areas of your body that have been too locked up to work properly. We work to strengthen those muscles so you don't end up back where you started again.
05
RETURN TO PLAY PLANNING
We use our Going Beyond Par training guide to help you understand how to warm-up, train between rounds, and manage load so you can stay in the game--not just recover from it.
Common Question
Should you stop playing golf if your elbow hurts?
Some initial rest is helpful in recovering from elbow pain related to golf. Once treatment has been initiated and recovery is underway, most golfers are able to resume playing during the rehabilitation process.
Pain lasting more than 1-2 weeks, recurring flare-ups, or elbow pain that's affecting your distance or consistency are all signs that it's worth getting assessed sooner rather than later.
What to Expect
Realistic recovery timelines
Every golfer is different, but here's what we typically see based on the nature of the issue.
6-8 VISITS
Acute Flare-up
Recent onset, first-time issue. Fast response with the right treatment and activity modification
4-8 WEEKS
Persistent or Recurring Pain
Pain that has been present for weeks or months, or keeps coming back. Requires addressing the underlying movement dysfunctions.
8-16 WEEKS
Performance Rebuild
Full recovery requires building the necessary mobility, strength and swing mechanics needed to stay pain-free for the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions golfers ask us about elbow pain
Q: Can a chiropractor actually help with golf-related elbow pain?
A: Yes--particularly when the care is movement-based rather than just adjustment-focused. Chiropractic care that combines adjustments with targeted mobility and strength work addresses both the pain and the underlying pattern driving it. Most golfers see meaningful improvement within a few weeks.
Q: Do I need imaging before coming in?
A: No. In most cases of golf-related elbow pain, imaging isn't the first step. Our movement assessment gives us the information we need to get started. If imaging becomes relevant, we'll let you know and we can help order it.
Q: Is this just age--should I expect elbow pain as a golfer?
A: This is one of the most common things we hear--and it's rarely true. Golf-related elbow pain is almost always the result of a movement pattern, not age. We regularly work with golfers in their 50s, 60s, and 70s who resolve persistent elbow pain once the underlying cause is identified.
Q: Should I rest completely, or can I keep playing?
A: Some initial rest can be helpful to recovery. We'll assess your situation and give you specific guidance on what to modify during your recovery. Many golfers are able to continue playing with some adjustments to volume, warm-up and cool-down routine.
Q: How is this different from seeing a regular chiropractor or physical therapist?
A: Our team specializes in working with golfers and active adults. We assess movement patterns, understand swing mechanics, and build treatment plans that include targeted exercise and adjustments. We're focused on solving the problem and getting you back on the course.