Common Golf Injuries and How to Prevent Them | Golf Injury Treatment NYC

Golf may seem like a low-impact sport, but it can be surprisingly hard on the body. The repetitive swing, long practice sessions, and hours on the course often lead to injuries that can sideline both amateur and professional players. Studies show that up to 62% of golfers experience an injury during their playing career, most commonly in the back, shoulders, and elbows (McHardy & Pollard, 2005).

At Metro Wellness, we specialize in golf injury treatment in Midtown Manhattan, combining chiropractic care, physical therapy, and acupuncture to help golfers recover quickly, prevent re-injury, and keep their game strong.

The Most Common Golf Injuries

1. Lower Back Pain

   • The golf swing produces high rotational forces on the spine. Research shows that low back pain is the #1 golf-related injury, affecting 15–34% of golfers (Lindsay & Vandervoort, 2014).

2. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

   • Pain on the inside of the elbow develops from repetitive gripping and swinging. Studies report that up to 20% of amateur golfers develop elbow tendinopathy (McCarroll, 1994).

3. Rotator Cuff Injuries

   • Shoulders generate much of the power in a swing. Overuse or limited flexibility can strain the rotator cuff, making up 8–18% of golf injuries (Cabri et al., 2009).

4. Wrist and Hand Injuries

   • Striking the ground, rough, or sand traps can overload wrist tendons. Professional golfers have higher rates due to increased practice time (Lysens et al., 1993).

5. Knee Pain

   • The rotational forces of the swing put stress on the knees, particularly for golfers with arthritis or past ligament injuries (Murray et al., 2009).

How to Prevent Golf Injuries

• Warm Up Properly – A 10-minute dynamic warm-up lowers injury risk (Fradkin et al., 2001).

• Build Core Strength – Strong abdominal and back muscles stabilize the spine (Lindsay & Vandervoort, 2014).

• Stay Flexible – Stretching shoulders and hips improves swing mechanics and reduces strain (Gosheger et al., 2003).

• Refine Your Swing Mechanics – Lessons or swing analysis prevent repetitive stress on joints.

• Avoid Overuse – Increase practice gradually; sudden spikes lead to overuse injuries (Cabri et al., 2009).

Golf Injury Treatment in Midtown NYC

At Metro Wellness NYC, we offer a comprehensive, integrated approach to treating golf injuries:

• Sports Chiropractic Adjustments – Improve spinal mobility and reduce lower back strain.

• Golf Physical Therapy – Corrective exercises to strengthen weak muscles, improve posture, and enhance swing efficiency.

• Acupuncture for Golf Injuries – Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and speed up tissue healing. Research suggests acupuncture can help with conditions like elbow tendinopathy, low back pain, and shoulder tightness, making it an excellent option for golfers seeking drug-free pain relief (Vickers et al., 2012).

• Soft Tissue Therapy (IASTM & massage) – Release muscle tightness and improve recovery.

• Kinesio Taping – Support injured joints while maintaining mobility during play.

• Golf-Specific Rehab Programs – Customized training to improve flexibility, strength, and endurance for long-term performance.

Whether you’re struggling with golfer’s elbow, shoulder stiffness, or back pain, our integrated care team will create a plan that gets you back on the course pain-free — and playing better than before.

👉 Looking for expert golf injury treatment in NYC? Contact Metro Wellness today:
📞 Call us at 212-202-0065
📱 Text us at 917-382-0980
📧 Email info@metrowellnessnyc.com

References

• McHardy A, Pollard H. (2005). Musculoskeletal injury in elite golfers. Br J Sports Med, 39(10): 844–848.

• Lindsay DM, Vandervoort AA. (2014). Golf-related low back pain: a review of causative factors and prevention strategies. Asian J Sports Med, 5(4): e24289.

• McCarroll JR. (1994). The frequency of golf injuries. Clin Sports Med, 13(1): 37–43.

• Cabri J, Sousa JP, Kots M, Barreiros J. (2009). Golf-related injuries: a systematic review. Eur J Sport Sci, 9(6): 353–366.

• Lysens R, et al. (1993). Overuse injuries in young athletes. Sports Med, 15(6): 373–390.

• Murray IR, et al. (2009). Golf as a cause of knee pain: an epidemiological study. Knee, 16(2): 98–100.

• Fradkin AJ, et al. (2001). The effects of warm-up on golf performance and injury prevention. Br J Sports Med, 35(6): 368–369.

• Gosheger G, et al. (2003). Golf: a risk factor for musculoskeletal injuries. Clin J Sport Med, 13(2): 86–92.

• Vickers AJ, et al. (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med, 172(19): 1444–1453.(2): 86–92.