According to a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2019, almost a fifth of professional golf players complain of some degree of hip pain. The golf swing puts stress on the hip joint and muscles surrounding it meaning that even keen amateurs can also run into problems. If you do start to develop pain around the hip during golf, these are our tips for recovery:
- Rest
If you are getting pain during your swing, then take a break from the game. Trying to play through the pain is generally a bad idea. Resting the hip by reducing your activity level and even using a walking stick or crutch in the opposite hand can be helpful. The application of ice packs or hot water bottles to the affected area can reduce pain early on after an injury.
- Strengthening
Once the initial pain has settled, strengthening the muscles around the hip and the core is important. A stronger muscle framework will make the body better able to cope with the golf swing. A regular Pilates class will help, but for a bespoke exercise regime, it is sensible to consult a physiotherapist.
- Stretching
Once you are back on the course, stretch the major muscle groups before and after. Stretching beforehand prepares your muscles for exercise and stretching afterwards elongates and relaxes your muscles when they are tired and tight. Keeping the muscles and joints flexible and supple may help prevent injury.
- Training
A poor technique during the golf swing can put unnecessary strain on the hip and surrounding muscles. It can be helpful to have a session with a golf professional to check and if necessary refine your technique. This may help prevent an injury as well as improve your game!
If pain around the hip persists for a few weeks despite these measures then it may be suggestive of a more significant problem such as hip impingement or osteoarthritis. Seeking the opinion of a hip surgeon or sports medicine physician is sensible if you have persistent hip pain.
For more information about hip treatments, please visit our hip pages: https://grosvenororthopaedics.co.uk/hip/