Quarantine Golf with Elite Performance Therapy & Mike Browne – the ONLY pro golfer on one leg !

In light of lock-down we have been working with Mike Browne – the ONLY pro golfer on one leg (!) to put together some ways to keep you entertained, injury free and improve your golf swing!

Please note that this is exclusively for our clients at one of our prestigious golf society’s :

• Sandgrown’uns
• Golf the Costa (GtC)
• Nomads
• Golf in the Sun (G.I.T.S)

A Bit about Mike

From beginner to Pro in 2.5 years; Mike has made fast progress since taking up golf as an Army amputee. His advice will make you a better golfer, while his story cannot fail to inspire you. Imagine I told you about a man who didn’t pick up a golf club until he was 36 years old. Imagine that, within a year, his handicap had plummeted from 28 to eight. Within three years of taking up the game, he’d turned professional and won events in multiple continents, beat Ian Woosnam, nearly qualified for the Open, shot rounds in the low 60s and recently impressed 19 PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar during a round together at The Renaissance Club…

Mike made his professional debut in Spain on The Gecko Tour in October 2016 and now splits his time between golf’s satellite tours and the European Disabled Golf Association. He won the 2018 South African Disabled Golf Open by an astonishing 12 shots and successfully defended his title this year. He’s currently ranked third in the world for golfers with disabilities, and he’s on course to take the top spot soon. He represented Great Britain in the Simpson Cup at Oakhill, the equivalent of the Ryder Cup for wounded and sick veterans.

Over the coming weeks we will be putting together some demonstration videos with Mike to include :

• Warm up / Swing / Putting at home drills
• On the tee exercises
• Stretching correctly
• Rotation & Flexibility
• Speed work
• Upper body / core / trunk / low body exercises

Injuries – Online Consultations

Please also note that through this time Elite Performance Therapy will be providing online consultations, prescriptive home exercise as well as self-massage/release techniques – we understand that prolonged sitting can aggravate many underlining back and joint injuries!

To Receive further information and demonstration videos

If you are interested in receiving these complimentary videos and further information please click here or email us directly at info@elite-performance-therapy.com. Be sure to include your membership number!

All the best and keep safe.

Isy & Mike

Last updated March 25, 2020. This post will continue to be updated as more information is available.

As the situation related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) develops, we are closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, as well as the Spanish departments of public health.

Flu and CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Protection at Elite Performance Therapy

There is nothing more important to us than our client’s safety and well-being. For this reason, on Saturday 21st March Spain issued a stay-at-home order until further notice, in light of ongoing developments related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our clinic will remain closed until further notice, however we are offering our muscular support and expertise as a complimentary service via teletherapy.

Our mission is to provide access to exceptional complimentary muscular wellness care to everyone, regardless if you are a current or prospective client.

We will continue to re-evaluate as the situation evolves, and we appreciate your understanding. As always, Here to help you feel better, move better & live pain free – wherever you may be!

What is Teletherapy?

Teletherapy refers to the use of electronic communication to remotely provide physical therapy information and services to clients via a videoconferencing system, rather than in-clinic visits.

Benefits of Teletherapy include :

• Allows clients to continue with their physical therapy plan of care in their home to promote responsible social isolation in response to recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 virus.
• Reduced risk of further physical decline
• Reduction of muscular pain and weakness

What to expect during a Teletherapy Session?

Sessions involve education, therapeutic and functional activities, therapeutic exercise,  monitored via videoconferencing by us – the therapist. Services may include, muscle strength and endurance training, balance challenges, cardiovascular conditioning and training, and other various fitness activities. Along with physical activity and exercise, teletherapy sessions will also include:

• Client Education – Just like our in-clinic treatments, Teletherapy will focus on helping patients understand their diagnoses and steps they will need to take in order to regain their optimal function.
• Functional Activities – Allows us; the therapist to get a glimpse of what specific activities in the patient’s daily life are causing issues or pain. They may determine unsafe areas in the home or areas that could be ergonomically improved to reduce the risk of back pain.
• Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) – a manual therapy technique used to increase the pliability of restricted fascia (tough connective tissue). In SMR the individual uses their own bodyweight and a Foam Roller to add pressure to the soft tissues so allowing for decreased pain, increased flexibility and improved soft tissue health.
• Exercise & Stretch Programs – we provide exercises and stretches to perform outside of your regular scheduled appointments. We can view the clients home and make recommendations on the ideal and safest places to do the home programs. We can also watch the client complete the exercises and stretches and give feedback on proper form. We will then make recommendations on how and when to progress, so progress doesn’t stop.

How do you sign up for our Complimentary Teletherapy services?

Easy!

Sign up for our free Teletherapy services by clicking here / +34 635 508 964 / info@elite-performance-therapy.com.

Here to help you feel better, move better & live pain free – wherever you may be!

On Tour: Elite Performance Therapy supporting the Ladies European Tour at the Spanish Open !

Elite Performance Therapy are very excited to be working with Sports Physiotherapy International Co. Ltd at the Ladies European Tour in Marbella next week!

We will be working on site at Andalucía Costa del Sol Spanish Open, Aloha Golf Club from Nov. 25 – Dec. 01 providing physical therapy, sports massage and performance services to all the Ladies European tour golfers.

Working directly with practitioners from Sports Physiotherapy International Co. Ltd allows us to provide an integrated service on tour for all professional golfers regarding injury, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, screening, performance enhancement, rehabilitation, strength & conditioning and bio-mechanics.

Being Prepared

Working on the Costa del Sol, you never know who or what problem may come through the door. This daily challenge makes it fantastic preparation for working with both professional and amateur golfers; the immediate effect you can have on a player, their performance and achievements is profound.

The last 5-10 years in golf physical therapy has seen a much greater emphasis on exercise and strength & conditioning work in treating injuries and maximising performance. This new breed of stronger, fitter golfers mean that they can generate much higher swing speeds and so hit the ball further.

Injuries & Body Mechanics

Here at Elite Performance Therapy we understand that golf at any level is very demanding. It requires strength, explosive power, flexibility and athletic ability.

The effect of repeated large forces can lead to numerous injuries, particularly in the lower back, wrist, shoulder and elbow. The requirements of an uneven swing is a risk factor for injury. For instance, right handed golfers, who lead with the left side, are more likely to suffer from injuries on the left wrist.

The physical requirements to execute these most complex athletic skills are enormous. Human anatomy are poorly suited to perform the high-torque rotational movement of the golf swing, which creates and must resist many high forces. The modern swing uses a large shoulder turn but restricts the hip turn to build torque in the muscles of the lower back and shoulders.  This places larger stresses on the back and shoulder complexes, leaving them susceptible to injury.

In Summary

We know that life as a Touring Professional isn’t easy!

It’s hard work, requires self-discipline, self-motivation, determination and perseverance and you need to be able to cope with many different pressures. We are very excited to be supporting Sports Physiotherapy International Co. Ltd at the Ladies European Tour and look forward to seeing some fantastic golf and keeping players playing pain free and at their fullest potential!

Dreading Back Pain on Your Road Trips?

When you have back pain, riding in the car for an hour or more can be a real challenge. Consider the following advice and see if it helps on your next road trip.

1. Get comfortable immediately

Take the time to make sure you’re comfortable from the moment you set off on your trip. The smallest irritant in the beginning of your trip can turn into raging pain later.

• Keep your back pockets empty. Sitting on your wallet, phone, or anything else may throw your spine out of alignment.
• Sit up straight with your knees slightly higher than your hips, and keep your chin pulled in so that your head sits straight on top of your spine.
• Sit a comfortable distance from the steering wheel. For airbag safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises sitting with your breastbone at least 10 inches from the steering wheel… But don’t sit too far away either, which can cause you to reach too far for wheel and places more stress on the lumbar spine, neck, shoulder, and wrists.
• Keep your back aligned against the back of your seat. To better support the contour of the inward curve in your lower back, use a small pillow or roll up a scarf and place it between your lower back and the seat. Also, there are many specialized cushions and pillows that can help with sciatica pain and lower back pain.

There is no single best option, and it may take some effort and trial and error on your part to find what works best for you!

2. Make your ride as smooth as possible

Bumps in the road can jar your spine and increase pain. For a smoother ride, consider:

• Riding in a passenger car, rather than an SUV or pickup
• Replacing worn shocks to limit the bounce in the car
• Replacing worn tires to reduce vibration or shaking
• Sitting on a car seat pillow or coccyx cushion to provide more padding between you and the road

3. Get out and move around

Sitting in one position in a car will stiffen up your back muscles and can lead to achiness and possibly muscle spasm. Everyone should ideally take at least a 15-minute break for every 2 hours of driving. If you’re prone to back pain, you may want to take breaks more frequently, such as every 30 to 60 minutes.

Try to plan ahead to schedule stops. Get out of the car so you can move around and stretch. Movement stimulates blood circulation, which brings nutrients and oxygen to your lower back.

4. Shift your position periodically

When possible, try to move a little in your seat. Even 10 seconds of movement and stretching is better than sitting still. At a minimum adjust your seat and change your position slightly every 15 to 20 minutes. Pump your ankles to keep the blood flowing and provide a slight stretch in your hamstring muscles. Any movement that is safe to do in the car will help you out.

Many people find that applying cold or heat therapy is a good way to alleviate pain on a long road trip.

• Cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Consider bringing a cooler to store reusable ice packs or other cold therapy packs. You can buy cold therapy packs at the store or make your own.
• Heat therapy can help increase blood flow and relax the muscles. Various types of heat therapy are available to buy, such as heat wraps or heat pads. You can also make your own moist heat pack. Some people prefer to place a moist heat pack in the microwave so it’s warm when they go on the trip.

It is recommended to apply ice or heat for only 15 or 20 minutes at a time, then give your skin a rest to recover for at least a couple hours before the next application.

For drivers, it may be best to apply cold or heat therapy while taking a break from driving. Since you are unable to check the skin while driving, it is harder to ensure that the skin is not being damaged during an application of cold or heat therapy. Some cars have heated seats that provide continuous low-level heat, which can be a good option while driving if it is comfortable and provides relief.

6. Support your back with your feet

Supporting your spine starts with bottom-up leverage from your feet. Your feet need to be placed on a firm surface and at the right height to avoid transferring stress to your lower back. It is ideal to have your knees at a right angle. This means, if your seat is too high it is best to put your feet on a footrest. If you are the driver and have the ability to use cruise control for a longer drive, you may want to do this to allow you to have both feet on the floor for periods of time.

7. Employ diversions from pain

Having something planned to take your mind off the pain could make a big difference. Even if you’re the driver, there are still a few options to safely help occupy your mind. Try a new music channel, download a podcast, or listen to an audio book.

Passengers have many additional choices, such as meditating, reading, watching a show, solving a sudoku or crossword puzzle, or playing an electronic game.

Try out these tips and see what works for you. Hopefully at least some of these tips help reduce your back pain while on the road!