Why golfers love chiropractic

The perfect swing

Every golfer aspires to that perfect swing – the kind that’s powerful yet controlled and precise, graceful yet forceful. Achieving such a balance requires optimal body alignment and most importantly a clear and clean “connection” between the brain (how you picture the movement you are about to perform) and the body (what actually happens when you hit the ball).  And this is where chiropractic care comes into play.

Chiropractic adjustments can change the way your cerebellum functions. The cerebellum is knowns as a “little brain” within the brain. It is located at the back of your head and it is an incredibly important area. It mainly deals with the functions of balance, and it allows us to perform everyday movements – which we often take for granted – and tasks such as walking, reading or writing. The cerebellum does not inititate movement as such (it is the Primary Motor Cortex at the front that does so), but it contributes in large part to precision, coordination, accuracy, timing of movements. It is almost like a processor of information that compares all the inputs from the sensory system and re-elaborate them into an output (the movement). 
To perform every movement, we need to know – although “subconsciously” – where we “are” first. As an example, think about the easy movement of grabbing a glass of water from the table. You do not think “my hand is here”, your cerebellum does and it calculates with extreme precision the muscles you need to recruit to perform the movement, etc. The cerebellum is also particularly important when learning a new movement or skill.

Spine movement

Recent research demonstrated that proper movement of the spine is very important for the brain, in particular related to the how your brain knows where your body parts are in space (proprioception). Scientists – and in particular the work of Dr. Heidi Haavik, have tested whether adjusting the spine could affect the way the cerebellum processes information and how it talks to the movement centers in the brain. Through electro-encephalography, they demonstrated that adjustments actually play a role in how the cerebellum works. All these research demonstrated that spinal function is very important when it comes to perform or learn a new movement. 

Let’s take a look at which are the main muscles involved while performing this cardinal golf movement:

External abdominal obliques

One of the most important muscles imvolved while performing the swing is the external oblique. It’s function is to rotate the torso, and it works synergistically with some of the back muscles, namely the Latissimus Dorsi, Multifidus and Rotatores. 

Glutes

Glutes (Gluteus maximus and minimus) also known as ‘buttocks’ give individuals the ability to rotate at the thighs. Strong glutes are crucial to provide lower body support and stability, with slightly bent knees during a golf swing. Some teachers suggest to tighten the glutes just before and during the swing, in order to keep the body still.

Pectroalis major

The pectoralis major, one of the main chest muscles, extends from the sternum to the shoulder. The main function of this muscle is adduction and ‘internal rotation’ of the arm.

Latissimus dorsi

Or ‘Lats’. They connect the ribs and the shoulder blade together (ribs on the left with left shoulderblade, same for the right side). This muscles work in synergy with the pectoral muscles, allowing the arms to move toward the body, and to rotate and extend. All muscle movements that are necessary to perform a golf swing.

Forearm

Forearm muscles are cardinal for a golfer because a correct grip on the club is what creates the right conditions for the swing to go as it should.