Table of Contents | Chiropractor For Golf Injuries: The Shoulder
When it comes to golf performance, shoulder mobility—especially external rotation—plays a critical role in your backswing, follow-through, and overall swing efficiency. Limited shoulder mobility can lead to compensatory patterns, decreased clubhead speed, and even injury. If you’re searching for golf injury treatment in Lakeway, here’s what you need to know about shoulder external rotation and injury prevention.
Why Shoulder External Rotation Matters for Golfers
In golf, a lack of external rotation can prevent a full backswing, causing early extension, loss of posture, and poor ball striking. To compensate, golfers may overuse their spine, wrists, or elbows, increasing the risk of injuries such as golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff issues, or impingement syndrome.
How to Assess Your Shoulder External Rotation
Try these quick tests to check your shoulder mobility and its impact on your golf swing:
? 90-90 Shoulder Test – Stand with your elbow at shoulder height, bent at 90 degrees. Rotate your hand backward as far as possible without moving your torso.
? If you struggle to get past 75-80 degrees, your external rotation is limited.
? Golf Posture External Rotation Test – Get into your golf setup position (slight knee bend, hinge at the hips, neutral spine). With your elbow bent at 90 degrees and in line with your shoulder, try rotating your hand backward again.
? If you have less mobility in this position than when standing upright, your golf posture is limiting your external rotation—a key factor in backswing depth and control.
If either test reveals limitations, you may need to modify your swing or incorporate exercises to improve mobility.
Common Shoulder Injuries in Golfers
Golfers often suffer from shoulder dysfunctions due to improper mechanics and muscular imbalances. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Bicipital Tendonitis
- Impingement Syndrome
- Labrum Tears (SLAP Lesions)
- Anterior Laxity (Instability)
- Frozen Shoulder
The Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Stability in Golf
The glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint) lacks bony stability and depends on:
- Rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis)
- Glenoid labrum & ligaments
- Scapular positioning for additional stability
According to EMG research by Dr. Jobe and Dr. Pink:
- Subscapularis (internal rotator) is the most active rotator cuff muscle during the golf swing.
- Infraspinatus & teres minor (external rotators) undergo strong eccentric contraction during the follow-through, increasing injury risk.
- Golfers who use upper-body dominant swings (over-the-top) place excess stress on the rotator cuff.
Understanding Shoulder Impingement in Golf
Impingement syndrome is a result of pathology, not the cause. There are two main types:
- External Impingement: The supraspinatus tendon is compressed between the humerus and the acromion, leading to tears, bursitis, and tendonitis.
- Internal Impingement: Occurs inside the joint due to anterior laxity, causing the supraspinatus to get pinched between the humerus and glenoid.
Why Golfers Experience Impingement in the Backswing
During the backswing, the lead arm moves into horizontal adduction and pronation, increasing impingement risk. Golfers who over-pronate experience greater rotator cuff stress, leading to pain at the top of the backswing.
The SLAP Lesion & the Peel-Back Theory
A SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) tear occurs due to forceful eccentric contraction of the biceps. It commonly results from:
- Rapid elbow extension during the downswing.
- Posterior capsule contracture, which forces the humeral head forward, causing internal impingement.
- The Peel-Back Effect, where the biceps tendon pulls the labrum away from the glenoid due to poor shoulder mechanics.
Corrective Exercises to Improve Shoulder External Rotation & Prevent Injury
To improve external rotation and reduce the risk of injury, focus on:
? Soft Tissue Therapy & Active Release Techniques (ART) – Releases adhesions within tight muscles that restrict shoulder mobility.
? Thoracic Spine Mobility Drills – Since a stiff upper back can limit shoulder movement, exercises like open books & thoracic rotations are key.
? Sleeper Stretch & Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch – Improves posterior shoulder capsule mobility.
? Banded External Rotations – Strengthens the teres minor & infraspinatus, key muscles for stabilizing the shoulder.
? Scapular Retraction Drills – Enhances postural stability by strengthening mid-back muscles.
The Secret to a Pain-Free Shoulder? A Healthy Thoracic Spine!
Believe it or not, a functional and pain-free thoracic spine is the key to fixing shoulder dysfunction. If the upper back is stiff, the shoulder compensates, leading to limited external rotation and pain.
At Kinetix Sport + Spine, we take a full-body approach to shoulder mobility and golf performance. Our TPI Medical & Fitness Level 2 certifications allow us to screen and customize corrective programs for each golfer, ensuring a pain-free and efficient swing.
? Looking for golf injury treatment in Lakeway? Schedule an appointment online with us today!
