Physiotherapy for Golf Injuries

Targeted Golf Rehabilitation in Sydney CBD

Golf is often considered a low-impact sport, but it places significant, repetitive strain on specific regions of the body — particularly the lumbar spine, hips, shoulders, and wrists. At City Physio & Pilates, we understand the biomechanical demands of golf and offer targeted physiotherapy for golf-related injuries to help players recover faster and return to play safely. We integrate targeted physiotherapy interventions, specific exercises and Pilates to efficiently rehabilitate pain, address biomechanical contributors and sustainably return to sport with tailored exercise programming via supervised Pilates.

Common Golf Injuries We Treat

Golf injuries often result from the repetitive rotational forces involved in the golf swing, poor swing mechanics, and inadequate core or pelvic stability. The most frequently treated injuries at our Sydney CBD clinic include:

• Lumbar spine strain or disc irritation
  Caused by excessive spinal rotation and poor hip dissociation during the swing. If the pelvis cannot transfer load effectively, or the rotation is not controlled then the body will find a handbrake to help control, or jam up in the facets of the lumbar spine. This most often presents as lower back pain or ache, particularly after a round of golf.

• Golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis)
  Funnily enough, we most often get Golfers elbow from poor desk ergonomics but it was originally more of a golfing-issue. When the hand and wrist are tilted downwards for prolonged periods it can result in overload of the wrist flexors. Inflammation or microtearing of the flexor tendons on the inside of the elbow can then occur causing pain with gripping and lifting activies.

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
  Affects the shoulder’s stabilising muscles, especially supraspinatus and infraspinatus. This can occur for 2 main reasons. One being insufficient trunk mobility so it is compensated for in the shoulder, and the second due to repetitive overhead and rotational loading during the backswing. A third unofficial reason that we dont like to talk about is… cough… age. Being older can predispose for some shoulder injuries, so when combined with repetitive overhead movements with large ranges, a perfect storm can occur!

• Hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement)
  Occurs when the femoral neck contacts the acetabulum prematurely, especially in limited hip internal rotation during the downswing. This is often felt as an ache in the front of the hip or a sharp pinch when bringing the knee towards the chest (hip flexion). Often we look at the pelvic stability for this one- is the pelvis accomodating to load through the swing? Are the hip flexor muscles taking over so you doing get good anchoring of the hip joint causing the pinch? 

How Physiotherapy Can Help with Golf Injuries

At City Physio & Pilates, we conduct a comprehensive biomechanical assessment to understand each golfer’s individual movement patterns. We’re looking for stiffness and hypermobility, inadequate pelvic control, hip flexors that take over and spines that dont like to rotate. Our physiotherapists use functional testing to identify restrictions and build out a comprehensive rehab plan to address symptoms and keep you on the golf course!

Key Physiotherapy Interventions:

• Manual Therapy and Joint Mobilisation
  To improve spinal and hip mobility, reduce soft tissue tension, and restore normal joint kinematics. This can be via myofascial release, deep massage, trigger point release or targeted joint mobilisations

• Neural Mobility Techniques
  For cases involving referred pain or neural tension, especially sciatic nerve involvement in lower back injuries. We get that nerve released, get it gliding and re-stabilise the system around it

• Dry Needling
  To address myofascial restrictions in the paraspinals, piriformis, hip flexors, and upper trap muscles. Dry needling is a wonderful tool for improving mobility, unlocking trigger points and reducing pain

• Tailored Exercise Programs
  Focused on improving glute activation, trunk rotation control, and core endurance using Pilates-based and strength-based rehab principles. We can use the reformers, sticks and other small equipment to strengthen and stabilise all components of a golf swing. An important cross-train tool that allows both targeted rehab and general golfer fitness

• Postural Re-education and Swing Mechanics Coaching
  Working in conjunction with golf coaches where appropriate, we assist in modifying swing mechanics to reduce tissue overload. We work in with your golf pro to safely and sustainably return you to the sport pain free!

Why Choose City Physio for Golf Injuries?

Our Sydney CBD clinic offers access to experienced physiotherapists, Pilates reformers, and private treatment spaces—ideal for golfers who want one-on-one care. We focus not just on treating pain, but on correcting the biomechanical cause of injury and preventing recurrence.

Conveniently located in Martin Place near Wynyard Station, we welcome both recreational and professional golfers looking for targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation.