Golf is a sport in which you perform repetitive movements. Your swing, when it's executed properly, powers through your body, using a large amount of upper body strength and rotation to hit the ball accurately. The rotation of your trunk and shoulders during a drive can strain the tendons around your shoulder. When the tendons become inflamed, the condition is called tendinitis. Tendinitis and other shoulder injuries are common in the game of golf, according to Sports Injury Bulletin. Adjusting your game might help you prevent the condition.
Symptoms
Shoulder tendinitis symptoms include pain and tenderness in the shoulder area, especially when rotating your arm, like when you swing a golf club. Though the pain is usually centered around your shoulder, you might also feel discomfort and an ache radiating down toward your elbow, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Shoulder tendinitis is also called tendinitis of the long head of the biceps -- the muscle that attaches to the shoulder joint on your upper arm.
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment for golf-induced injuries, including tendinitis, include rest and icing of the painful area. Tendinitis is a inflammatory condition; the cold temperature of the ice and the temporary halting of golf and other repetitive-motion activities bring down the inflammation and give your body time to heal. Your doctor might also recommend over-the-counter pain medications to ease the discomfort.
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening your rotator cuff and pectoral muscles may help prevent shoulder tendinitis. The rotator cuff is a network of muscles around your shoulder; strengthening this area prevents strains and overuse injuries like tendinitis. The Stretching Institute explains that building up your pectoral, or chest muscles, gives you more power to your swing, which can also be a preventive tool.
To strengthen your rotator cuff, perform an exercise using a broomstick. Stretch your arm straight out in front of you, so that your arm and your body form a 90 degree angle. Hold the very end of the broomstick with the hand that is extended, and grab the middle of the bar with your other hand. Use the hand holding the middle of the bar as a steering wheel, and move the bar to the side so that your outstretched arm moves from the front to the side of your body.
Perform a chest stretch to strengthen pectorals using a wall as support. Put your flat palm and forearm on the wall. Your elbow should be bent. Take one step forward and turn away to the side so your body is moving away from your arm. Keep your hand and arm flat on the wall as you turn, and you will feel the stretch in your chest.
Golfing Adjustments
In addition to seeking medical treatment for your shoulder tendinitis, you can minimize the wear and tear on the joint by adjusting your swing. The first adjustment entails slowing down your swing. When your club and ball connect, the impact can produce a shock to your arm, explains the Stretching Institute. Slowing your swinging speed lessens the shock to your joints and can help prevent elbow and shoulder injuries. Shortening your backswing can also be beneficial to your shoulder tendinitis. When you bring your arm back, stop the club head short of the usual 3 o'clock position, and instead stop at the 1 o'clock mark.
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