Biokinetics London

Golf Swing Mechanics 9

Just under about 40% of players have a Reverse angle spine in their swing.
A) Characteristics- The upper body bends backwards and laterally excessively to the side facing the target i.e. to the left for a right handed player. The position at the top of the back swing makes it difficult to start the down swing in the proper kinematic sequence. Someone with this swing will be upper body dominant causing excessive pressure through the lower back and could potentially cause low back pain.
B) Causes - Limited upper and lower body dissociation from reduced spinal mobility. A restricted internal rotation in the hip (right for right handed players and left for left handed players) will force the hips to tilt backwards to get more range and drive the reverse angle. An inability to stabilise the spine in the back swing because of weak abdominal muscles.
C) Corrections - Upper body and lower body dissociation drills, hip internal rotation mobilisation, abdominal work in rotation with glute strengthening exercises.
Want to improve your golf game? Get in contact with me and we can unlock your potential!

Esentials of spinal function Part 3 .
What are the mechanisms that cause back pain.
Unless you were involved in a accident or born with a spinal deformity back pain does not happen magically one day. A lot of back pain comes from underlying issues that's been working behind the scenes so to speak and then one day we are unfortunate to move in an angle we are not used to and all of a sudden we have pain. One of the most common mechanisms I see in the clinic is someone picking something that does not weigh a lot up by bending and slightly twisting to the side.
When you look at the anatomy of the spine you will see by flexing and rotating slightly to the side exposes the weakest part of the spine to the force and can easily lead to a bulging or prolapse disc.
Similar principles can cause other injuries, for instance bending forward under load or doing repetitive twisting actions. If there is sufficient repetition or rotation then the load on the spine does not have to be that great.
The physical action of doing a repetitive movement is not the only possible cause of injury there are other factors like cigarette smoking, hydration, depression, anxiety etc that also plays a role in injury mechanisms. Which could explain two people doing the same movements and only one will be in pain or even more interesting two people with the exact injury in which one presents with pain and the other is completely pain free.
Our spines are meant to be used and moved to keep or strong and healthy, even though most of us will have some form of back pain it is important to keep moving, even if you are in pain. Inactivity could have just as detrimental effect on spine health, it is not necessary to do heavy activity, just walking in place of taking public transport will help a lot!
.

Golf Swing Mechanics 8
 
The next swing characteristic we are going to have a look at is the opposite of the previous swing, today we are looking at the slide.
 
A) Characteristics- Excessive lower body move to laterally towards the direction of hitting the ball is the main feature of this swing pattern. This movement makes it difficult to stabilise the lower body during the down swing resulting in a decrease of speed and power.
 
B) Causes - Front hip internal rotation is limited, and hip cannot rotate and the restriction in motion results in a lateral motion to complete the swing. An inability to separate upper and lower body causes an inability to stabilise the full rotation of shoulders through the full swing. Weak glutes have a direct influence in proportional influence in the ability to laterally stabilise the hips
C) Corrections - improve hop mobility especially internal rotation, improve lower and upper body dissociation and strengthen the glutes (medius and maximus)
 
Want to improve your golf game? Get in contact with me and we can unlock your potential!

Esentials of spinal function part 2
What causes back pain?
If you analyse the literature it's clear there are many causes, falling into a couple of categories like trauma, structural, overuse and mechanical. .
When we experience back pain it is an indication of an underlying condition that has been there for a period of time, other than trauma obviously. The structures involved range from discs, facets(joints), muscular, nerve, and bone deviations on the vertebrae like fractures and bone growth. .
Basic guides
Each of these structures will give unique symptoms. If there is pressure on a nerve from either a boney structures or a disc pushing out on it will possibly cause a radiating pain down a limb. . .
Facet damage or a fracture will cause localised pain when moving and also when touched. .
Muscular will present as localised tender areas on the muscle. .
Causes can be from the spine adapting to repetitive stressors that overtime cause adaptations in the tissues involved resulting in possible weak links in the tensegrity model. Over time the altered function could lead to pathological changes leading to pain or structural changes. .
.

Golf Swing Mechanics 7
 
Our next swing characteristic we are going to have a look at is sway.
 
Characteristics- It happens when there is an excessive lower body movement away from the tee or ball in the back swing. This movement forces the weight to be shifted onto the outside part of the back foot. The player does not have a stable platform to transfer weight and power from the foot up into the body of weight shift onto the front foot. As a result, is a reduction of power into the ball.
 
Causes - Reduced internal rotation of the loaded hip, right hip for a right-handed player. The body cannot rotate around the hip leading to the lateral motion. An inability to dissociate upper and lower body could lead to an unstable back foot and an inability to rotate the spine effectively. Glutes that is not strong enough with the backswing, the glutes are the main stabiliser and extensor of the hip
 
Corrections - Hip mobility work to ensure at least 60 degrees of rotation at the hip. Spinal mobility work combines with upper and lower body dissociation work. Finally, glute work gets it as strong and effective as possible.
 
Want to improve your golf game? Get in contact with me and we can unlock your potential!

Back Pain

Esentials of spinal function .
The spine is not just affected by mechanics, and a Biomechanical model is not the alpha and omega, for this post however I am only going to look into the physical functioning. .

The spine is an amazing structure with so much of the body relying on tensegrtiy forces to support it and keep it functioning optimally. Over time though repetitive movements especially if they are uncontrolled or at the upper end of force generation can cause damage to the structure and alter the function unbalancing the tensegrtiy. Think of a golfer or a bowler performing an explosive rotational movement at full force time and time again. .
It is essential to keep muscle function at optimal levels to minimise the risk of injury and optimise performance whether it's competing in sport or having to endure 10 hours of office work. .
To this effect we have to get the musculature that support and move the spine to do it in a correct and efficient manner. If you are familiar with the tensegrtiy model, the guide wires should pull on the structure in such a manner as to support it in the posture it finds itself, irrespective of the position in space. .
Meaning we want to make sure the spine is supported in 3D space through movement, which is why holding a plank for 2 min does nothing to protect your spine...unless you are a professional 'planker'. This will translate to a stiffer spine through movement I.e. it is controlled through a wider range of movement. .
.