Did you know that according to Statistics Canada, there are over 2,400 golf courses and an estimated 1.5 million golfers in Canada? Golf is a sport enjoyed by many Canadians. Our diverse natural scenery and wildlife make our courses some of the most beautiful in the world. With temperatures cooling down and the blazing reds and yellows of Fall beginning to show, GTA golfers are in for an amazing Autumn golf season.
Golf, and other outdoor activities, can have many benefits for your health and wellbeing. We always encourage our clients to stay active and keep moving – motion is lotion! Enjoying the outdoors and fresh air can help with many things from muscle endurance to enhancing your mood. Physical activity and exercise help our bodies release endorphins, which improves mental wellbeing and reduces stress.
Activities like golf are social in nature and help us develop a sense of community to the benefit of our own wellbeing. Golfers have a unique camaraderie and cherish the conversations shared on the course. Golf requires patience, critical thinking, and perseverance. Not only are you competing with fellow players, you’re also competing with yourself to constantly improve your skills. The great thing about golf is that you can always find a way to enjoy it on your own terms at any stage in your life.
We always encourage our clients to practice simple safety precautions to avoid injury or muscle strain before venturing onto the golf course. Some tips include:
- Warm up your muscles and stretch before a game. For example, go through the motions of swinging your club without actually hitting the ball. Start with a gentle swing and slowly work up to a full swing.
- Be sure to lift and carry your golf clubs safely. Bend at the knees when picking up your ball and consider a buggy or golf cart if need be.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Don’t forget about sun protection such as sunscreen, protective clothing, and a hat.
- Stop immediately if an injury occurs.
Some of the common golf-related injuries we see involve the lower back, shoulder, elbow, or wrist. We offer massage therapy treatment options for all types of soft tissue concerns including tendonitis, muscles sprains, and repetitive strain injuries. Our dynamic team of RMTs can also offer you remedial exercises that you can practice at home to help get you back out on the golf course doing what you love as quickly as possible.
While some clients reach out to us for assistance with injury recovery, we also offer many treatment options for maintenance and sports performance goals. If you’re an avid golfer, consider, Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) as a treatment option. FST is a gentle, table assisted stretching technique that is designed to help improve flexibility and mobility through passive range of motion. Our specialized therapists have been trained at the prestigious Stretch to Win Institute and offer targeted treatment for restricted mobility.
Fascia is a net of connective tissue found throughout the entire body covering everything beneath the skin. This includes muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and even your visceral organs. When experiencing tight muscles, joint stiffness, or pain in any part of the body, FST can be very effective. It creates length in tissue, space in joints, and helps promote pain-free movement.
FST can help to:
- Bring blood circulation to the area.
- Decrease tension.
- Improve range of motion and flexibility.
- Decrease pain.
Whether you’re a competitive golfer or just getting started, our RMTs are here to support your performance goals. Our customized FST sessions can help improve your range of motion so your golf swing is in peak form. We are located in the heart of North York’s Bayview Village community and are open 7 days a week for your convenience.
Swing into action and conquer the greens like never before. Call (416) 222-3RMT to schedule an appointment today!