Golf Puts Specific Demands on the Body — and Specific Things Go Wrong
The golf swing is one of the most mechanically complex movements in sport. It requires full rotation through the thoracic spine and hips, stability in the lumbar spine, and coordinated loading through the shoulders, elbows, and wrists — all at significant speed. When any part of that chain is restricted or overloaded, the result is usually pain, compensated movement, or both.
The most common golf injuries we treat at Creative Health & Spine include:
- Lower back pain and disc-related issues from rotational load
- Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) from repetitive swing mechanics
- Hip pain and restricted rotation that alters swing path and increases injury risk
Other conditions we see regularly: shoulder impingement, cervical stiffness, wrist and forearm strain, and IT band syndrome from walking 18 holes on uneven terrain. Many of these develop gradually and become harder to ignore the more you play.
How Dr. Fetterman Works with Golfers
Dr. Fetterman is a Doctor of Chiropractic with certifications in strength and conditioning (CSCS) and USA Weightlifting, giving him a clinical foundation that extends well beyond a standard adjustment. He understands how the body moves under load, and he applies that knowledge directly to how golfers present in clinic.
Care for golf-related conditions at Creative Health & Spine typically combines:
- Chiropractic adjustments to restore joint mobility in the spine, hips, shoulders, and extremities
- Soft tissue work and myofascial release to address the muscle tension and trigger points common in golfers
- Functional rehabilitation targeting the movement patterns that contribute to injury and limit swing efficiency
Dr. Fetterman also offers golf-specific functional movement assessments, using video analysis and mobility screening to identify the mechanical restrictions that may be driving your pain or limiting your game. Learn more about Dr. Fetterman's background on our About page.
What to Expect from a Golf Performance Visit
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Progress and Return to Play
What Golfers Typically Achieve with Consistent Care
- Less pain during and after your round: Targeted treatment reduces the inflammation and joint restriction that causes discomfort mid-swing or on the back nine.
- Better rotation and swing mechanics: Improved hip and thoracic mobility allows for a fuller, more efficient swing, which most patients notice as a welcome side effect of care.
- Fewer re-injuries: Addressing the root mechanical cause of a golf injury, not just the symptoms, significantly reduces the likelihood of the same issue returning next season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Injury Care
Not at all. We work with golfers at every level, from weekend players to those who compete regularly. Mechanical restrictions and overuse injuries do not discriminate by handicap.
In most cases, yes. We work around your schedule and your golf season. Dr. Fetterman will advise you on any swing modifications or volume adjustments that may help you recover faster without stopping play entirely.
It is a structured evaluation of the mobility, stability, and movement patterns most relevant to the golf swing. Dr. Fetterman uses video analysis and functional screening to identify restrictions in the hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders that affect both performance and injury risk.
Yes. Golfer's elbow and back pain are among the most common and most distinct golf injuries, each with their own treatment approach. We have dedicated pages on both conditions, and many patients present with more than one issue at the same time.
Keep Yourself in the Game
Creative Health & Spine has served Berwyn and the Main Line for over 17 years.
If a golf injury is affecting your swing or keeping you off the course, Dr. Fetterman's combination of chiropractic care and strength-and-conditioning expertise offers a level of golf-specific care you will not find at most chiropractic offices.
