Hip/Back issue

[calcnation]

I am currently in physical therapy as I have been suffering from back pain but spasms on left side.  It appears we have pinpointed the issue as a intercostal muscle strain on the left side.  Also, my hip flexibility is awful.  For example, if I sit in a chair and try and put my left foot on my right knee, I cannot get it there without using my hands to pull up my foot.  I can do the right foot to left ankle with no help.  So, if I am not able to open up the left hip they are saying I am then using the back to complete swing which is not good.

So, does this make sense?

Any insight on how to improve it?

Also, what kind of misses would you expect to see with golf shots if not opening and rotating well with left hip?

Thanks.

[boogielicious]

I am currently in physical therapy as I have been suffering from back pain but spasms on left side.  It appears we have pinpointed the issue as a intercostal muscle strain on the left side.  Also, my hip flexibility is awful.  For example, if I sit in a chair and try and put my left foot on my right knee, I cannot get it there without using my hands to pull up my foot.  I can do the right foot to left ankle with no help.  So, if I am not able to open up the left hip they are saying I am then using the back to complete swing which is not good.

So, does this make sense?

Any insight on how to improve it?

Also, what kind of misses would you expect to see with golf shots if not opening and rotating well with left hip?

Thanks.

There are few ways to improve hip flexibility, stretching and exercises.  I recommend the following:

Stretching

The stretching section is excellent.  The swing section is not that great.

Exercise:

The top is a DVD and the bottom a book.  There is a whole section that is for the hips and hip rotation.

It will take a while to get back a good percentage of your flexibility.  But if you stick with it, it will really help.  I do the stretching daily.

[calcnation]

Thanks! I will check these out.

[avmech]

Go to the Joey D website, he also has a DVD

[saevel25]

I am currently in physical therapy as I have been suffering from back pain but spasms on left side.  It appears we have pinpointed the issue as a intercostal muscle strain on the left side.  Also, my hip flexibility is awful.  For example, if I sit in a chair and try and put my left foot on my right knee, I cannot get it there without using my hands to pull up my foot.  I can do the right foot to left ankle with no help.  So, if I am not able to open up the left hip they are saying I am then using the back to complete swing which is not good.

Yoga works wonders. Start off with some easy stretches. I would also just work out more as well.

[MouseyMouse]

There are few ways to improve hip flexibility, stretching and exercises.  I recommend the following:

Stretching

The stretching section is excellent.  The swing section is not that great.

Exercise:

The top is a DVD and the bottom a book.  There is a whole section that is for the hips and hip rotation.

It will take a while to get back a good percentage of your flexibility.  But if you stick with it, it will really help.  I do the stretching daily.

I have read the first book about stretching - It has helped me immensely! I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it  yet. Stretching is really important to not pull muscles and improve flexibility. I also do yoga - it not only helps with flexibility, but with my temper too :)

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calcnation

I am currently in physical therapy as I have been suffering from back pain but spasms on left side.  It appears we have pinpointed the issue as a intercostal muscle strain on the left side.  Also, my hip flexibility is awful.  For example, if I sit in a chair and try and put my left foot on my right knee, I cannot get it there without using my hands to pull up my foot.  I can do the right foot to left ankle with no help.  So, if I am not able to open up the left hip they are saying I am then using the back to complete swing which is not good.

Yoga works wonders. Start off with some easy stretches. I would also just work out more as well.

Most of the Fredericks stretches are yoga stretches.  The Joey D workout is golf specific and has many of the same exercises that physical therapists use to improve strength and flexibility in shoulders and hips.  Joey D is a physical therapist.

[twosmalltowns]

Other benefits of yoga : 1. It is symmetrical and balanced. Golf is asymmetrical movement ( as is tennis, baseball, etc.). Rebalancing our body is important. 2. Yoga will help you with the hardest real estate in golf: the 5 inches between your ears. (Breathing & focus help relax the body, still the mind, control the emotions on command.) 3. Injury reduction (as we get older) is a great bonus...... Be well.