Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Sabrina Byrnes
With the golf season right around the corner, golfers in Sudbury now have an alternative approach to improving their game and preventing injury throughout the season.
Stretching and strengthening is key when involved in any physical activity, but according to certified pilates instructor Tammy Abraesch, golfers should be looking to pilates when they're thinking about picking up their clubs.
"Pilates works as a whole body exercise, just as the golf swing is a whole body movement, and it's easily transferred over to the golf game. The results are great," said Abraesch.
"Pilates lengthens and strengthens muscles, building a uniformed balanced body. It integrates breathing control, flexibility, precision and body awareness. These principles are required in the golf game."
Abraesch received her pilates certification in Toronto where she learned golf specific programs. She is now teaching those techniques here in Sudbury at Accelerated Physio and Sports Rehab, which opened its doors this past December.
When it opened, the clinic purchased a Pilates Reformer - a machine, unique to Sudbury, which has more than 250 exercises, including golf specific programs.
Many golfers suffer from lower back injuries, due to core muscle weakness and lack of mobility. The golf specific program was originally created to prevent injuries and help golfers with their game.
"Pilates and physio have been working hand in hand for years," said Charlotte Savela, physiotherapist and owner of Accelerated Physio and Sports Rehab. "So when I decided to open my own clinic in December, I decided to purchase a Pilates Reformer machine, because where I was working in southern Ontario, we always used them for rehab."
Savela said many of her patients are golfers, and with the season fast approaching, they are anxious to get better and get out on the course.
The physiotherapist said research has shown the more traditional stretches and strengthening exercises golfers were using weren't functional.
She said with the Pilates Reformer, patients are using their whole body, as well as breathing, and using their core muscles to stabilize, which she said is important in golf to prevent injuries.
Savela added research has shown that golfers who are incorporating pilates have fewer injuries and are off for a shorter period of time when they do get injured.
"So many of my patients come to me because of back injuries and they think the stuff that they are doing at the gym ... is going to help them. But the problem, the reason whey people have back injuries with golf, is usually because they have limited hip mobility," said the physiotherapist.
She said the reformer exercises opens up the hips, and increases hip mobility, so the golfer's back doesn't take all the impact.
"You can't get that with a traditional exercise machine," she said.
Abraesch, who is an avid golfer herself, has seen the benefits of the reformer.
"So what it's done is strengthened my core, given me more mobility, flexibility and no injury," she said. She noted the reformer has helped her with her swing as well.
The instructor said that each program is modified for the individual to best suit his/her needs.
"We're here to prevent injury, to make your game stronger. We can improve your speed, accuracy ... you'll be able to hit the ball farther, straighter. You'll bring whole body awareness."
She said most golfers start the beginning of the season, just swinging and swinging and right away create a back injury.
"If they have the awareness of working on the reformer, and building the core before and having that flexibility before the game, then this will prevent any injury from occurring," said Abraesch.
Abraesch strongly encourages golfers to come in for a few sessions with the reformer before hitting the courses, whether to improve their game or to prevent injury.
For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.acceleratedphysio.com or phone 523-2471.
