Golf Injury Treatment - Spokane, WA
Reviewed By: Stephen Byers, DC CSCS
WRIST PAIN IN GOLF--NOT USUALLY WHAT YOU THINK
Wrist pain is a common golf injury we treat at the Movement Clinic. Understanding the problem is usually the first step to getting back to the game you love.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Pain that follows you on and off the course
"My wrist hurts after I play, but I don't remember hurting it."
"My wrist pain started after I started practicing more."
"My shots are off and now my wrist is sore."
"I thought my wrist was just sore, but rest isn't fixing it."
"My wrist hurts every time I take a divot."
"I've tried the braces, rest and grip exercises, but my wrist still hurts."
Why It Happens
Two swing patterns we see in almost every golfer with wrist pain
HANGING BACK
Hanging back happens when a golfer doesn't properly weight shift in the downswing and move from the trail leg to the lead leg. This moves the bottom of the downswing to behind the ball. The golfer typically accommodates by forcibly snapping the wrist into ulnar deviation which causes wrist pain.
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EARLY EXTENSION
Early extension is when a golfer's pelvis moves towards the golf ball during the downswing. This moves the club-face out in front of the ball. In order to make contact the player will typically snap the wrist down to make contact with the ball.
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 wrist pain, we commonly find one or more of these:
PRACTICING ON HARD SURFACES
Practicing on hard surfaces such as a rubber mat over a concrete slab can cause wrist pain. The hard surfaces cause a rapid deceleration of the club sending additional stress into the wrist.
MOBILITY LIMITATIONS
Poor mobility of the hips and trunk can cause early extension in the downswing. Early extension causes additional stress on the wrist as the wrist tries to bring the club-face back in-line with the ball.
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 or too heavy of equipment for their grip strength it can cause them to "over-grip" the handle. "Over-griping " with forced ulnar deviation can cause wrist injury.
POOR LOWER BODY MECHANICS
When the legs aren't producing force efficiently from the ground, golfer's can end up "hang-back". This can put excessive forces on the wrist as it tries to bring the club-face out toward the ball.
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
We use our Going Beyond Par Recovery Program to evaluate golf-related wrist pain at the Movement Clinic
Most wrist 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 wrist. This reveals the 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.
Learn more about our Going Beyond Par Recovery Care Program
Common Question
Should you stop playing golf if your wrist hurts?
Some initial rest is helpful in recovering from wrist 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 wrist 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 wrist pain
Q: Can a chiropractor actually help with golf-related wrist 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 wrist 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 wrist pain as a golfer?
A: This is one of the most common things we hear--and it's rarely true. Golf-related wrist 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 wrist 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.
Ready to stop guessing and find the actual cause?
If wrist pain is affecting your game, schedule a movement assessment as part of our Going Beyond Par Recovery Care program. We'll identify what the problem is and what to do about it!