| Everyone talks about golf-induced pain, but foot | | | | prevent this condition from occurring. |
| injuries are hardly ever discussed. Most people just | | | | 3. Shin Splints: Pain in the muscles of the lower leg is |
| try to limp around the course, ride a cart or just | | | | usually caused by excessive walking after a period of |
| throw their swing off and increase their stress when | | | | inactivity. It can also be caused by over pronation in |
| their feet hurt! Over 45 million Americans participate | | | | the feet, putting excessive pressure on the lower leg. |
| in amateur golf. A full round of golf affords the | | | | 4. Heel/Arch Pain: Plantar fasciitis is very prevalent in |
| opportunity for a close to 5 mile workout that can | | | | all sports and commonly occurs due to excessive |
| reduce stress and improve your cardiac health. Good | | | | pronation in the feet. Golfers will often complain of |
| foot action is the mark of an accomplished golfer and | | | | pain when first rising in the morning and after periods |
| has been compared to intricate dance steps. Why is | | | | of rest. Pain will be located in the center of the heel |
| it then that a golfer's feet get no respect? | | | | radiating along the arch. |
| Addressing your foot biomechanics can add yards to | | | | 5. Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles |
| your game and make your golf outing much more | | | | tendon is caused by repetitive stress when pushing |
| enjoyable. | | | | off or following through. Your swing can really inflame |
| During the golf swing the body acts as a whip, | | | | this tendon with excessive stress. |
| power production starts with the feet pushing | | | | 6. Hallux Limitis: Jamming and deterioration of the big |
| against the ground. The foot pivots and provides | | | | toe joint cartilage is caused by overextension during |
| intrinsic lateral movement to enable the hip to fully | | | | the follow through. This can eventually cause the |
| rotate around a fixed leg position. Each foot moves | | | | joint to swell, stiffen and limit its motion. Hallux limitis |
| differently during a golf swing, the back foot must | | | | can be so painful that it affects your walking and |
| allow for more pronation (rolling in to collapse the | | | | eventually hampers your swing. |
| arch) during the follow through of the golf swing than | | | | 7. Metatarsalgia - This term actually refers to any |
| the front foot. | | | | pain in the forefoot region. This can be caused by |
| The anatomy of a biomechanically sound swing goes | | | | excessive twisting which causes painful blisters, |
| like this: During set-up, your weight should be evenly | | | | calluses and sore joints. |
| distributed on both feet with slightly more weight on | | | | 8. Morton's Neuroma - Inflammation of the nerve in |
| the forefoot as you lean over, and slightly more | | | | the ball of the foot in between the toes occurs from |
| weight on the insides of both feet. Maintenance of | | | | excessive twisting in your swing. This can be very |
| proper foot alignment on the back swing is critical for | | | | painful for golfers who walk around the fairway and |
| control of the downswing and contact position. During | | | | can often make their toes feel numb or have |
| the back swing, weight should be shifted to the back | | | | significant burning pain. |
| foot; it should be evenly distributed on the back foot | | | | Custom Foot Orthotics and Golfing Injuries |
| or maintained slightly on the inside. | | | | Orthotics allow a golfer's body to establish a better |
| As the back foot remains in a solid position on the | | | | point of contact with the ground when executing a |
| back swing without any rolling to the outside, the | | | | golf swing. They will also stabilize your feet, evenly |
| front foot is in turn rolling to the inside. The front | | | | redistribute weight and correct your entire body |
| heel occasionally comes off the ground to promote a | | | | posture during the golf swing. In recent research, it |
| full shoulder turn. Completion of the back swing | | | | has been shown that the use of orthotics while |
| places the weight on the back foot, evenly | | | | playing golf improved balance in 71% of participants. |
| distributed between forefoot and rear foot, with the | | | | An impressive 50% felt that they were hitting the |
| weight left on the front foot rolling to the inside. | | | | ball harder and 38% of participants reported a lower |
| The downswing involves a rapid shift of weight from | | | | golf score while using orthotics. This research |
| back to front foot; momentum brings the heel of the | | | | suggests that orthotics can help golfers improve |
| front foot down, and follow-though naturally causes a | | | | balance, hit the ball harder and obtain a lower golf |
| rolling of the back foot to the inside and the front | | | | score. Why is everyone not taking this easy |
| foot to the outside. Golf should always be played | | | | advantage to improve their swing? |
| from the insides of the feet. | | | | Anyone who has a foot that is not able to function |
| As you can imagine, healthy feet are critical to a | | | | normally due to biomechanical conditions such as |
| successful golf game. Having biomechanically sound, | | | | excessive pronation or supination can achieve a state |
| stable feet will attain that goal! | | | | of optimal biomechanics with custom foot orthotics |
| What kinds of injuries are seen in golf that are | | | | from your podiatrist. Orthotics not only allow your |
| caused directly or indirectly by foot function? | | | | feet to function better, but they also can prevent |
| 1. Lower Back Pain: This is the most common golf | | | | and treat a variety of painful injuries that can affect |
| injury. Pain and stiffness in the back and neck are | | | | your concentration and ultimately your golfing |
| usually caused by the twisting motion of the golf | | | | handicap. Bringing painful knees, legs, feet or an |
| swing as the shoulders rotate around the hips. This | | | | aching lower back to the fairway can prevent you |
| twisting of the torso in a coil fashion can put | | | | from playing to the best of your golfing potential. |
| enormous pressure on the vertebrae, muscles and | | | | And don't forget the shoes! Before you leave the |
| ligaments of the spine especially during the recovery | | | | store, make sure your golf shoes fit well. Shop in the |
| phase. Indeed when one addresses the ball, the bent | | | | afternoon when your feet are slightly swollen so the |
| back puts the golfer in a most vulnerable position. A | | | | fit will be accurate. Wear the socks you play in to try |
| very common, yet insidious cause of lower back pain | | | | on the new shoes. This also helps you get the right |
| is over pronation in the feet. Even a slight postural | | | | fit. Don't buy anything you wouldn't wear on a long |
| misalignment caused by over pronation can lead to | | | | walk, remember the close to 5 miles you will be |
| back pain. | | | | walking on the course! |
| 2. Knee Problems: Inflammation or pain in the knees is | | | | Bottom line: If you want to improve your swing, |
| caused by the twisting motion of the golf swing and | | | | lower your handicap and decrease your stress level |
| sometimes by walking in ill fitting shoes. Rest, is again | | | | while playing golf; address your feet - your |
| the best medicine. However, a re-evaluation of one's | | | | foundation! Do not ignore foot pain; it affects your |
| swing and foot orthotics to realign the knee can help | | | | entire game! |