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COMFORT WITH STYLE |
Golf and your feet |
Improve your game !
Common injuries
The torque of a golf swing can strain muscles in the legs, abdomen, and back. The fact that the game is usually played on hilly terrain increases these forces, which in turn predispose to injury. Proper warm-up and stretching exercises specific to golf can help in injury prevention.
If bio-mechanical imbalances are present, these existing stresses will overload certain structures, and predispose the golfer to overuse of muscles and strain on ligaments and tendons. Footwise insoles will balance the weight loading on the lower extremity, and in essence rest the overused muscle. Other problems, such as tendinitis, capsulitis, and ligament sprains and pulls, can also cause major problems to the golfer.
If you are injured, your return to the sport after treatment should be gradual. As impatient as you may be to get back to your game, it is still best to take it slowly. Only a healthy body makes for a pain-free game.
Comfort Orthotics (custom-made footbeds) can improve your game
Custom-made footbeds are high-grade insoles which have been individually milled to reflect the ex\act contours of your feet. Not only will they make you feel as if you are walking on air, but they will also spread your weight evenly throughout and across both of your feet. This will aid circulation, improve your posture and prevent the occurrence of aches and pains in your knees, lower back and joints.
But they have one further major advantage: because they ensure the even distribution of your weight, you will find that your balance also improves and that, as a result, your swing becomes more consistent.
Prescriptive Orthotics: correcting imbalances and preventing injury
For the foot that dysfunctions due to bio-mechanical conditions such as excessive pronation (rolling in) or supination (rolling out), a state of optimal bio-mechanics can be achieved through the use of Prescriptive Orthotics (custom-made footbeds which feature medical alterations to treat certain areas of the foot).
These devices should be prescribed by a qualified Podiatrist. They will ensure your feet function as they are designed to and will also act help prevent injuries brought on by bio-mechanical imbalances.
If bio-mechanical problems are present in your swing, they will invariably cause symptoms when walking the golf course as well. Addressing bio-mechanical problems in walking may therefore result in the secondary benefit of an improved swing through proper foot function.
Finally…
If a round of golf is painful on your feet, first assess the quality of your shoes.If pain is not adequately resolved with good, stable, golf shoes - and is present for more than two or three consecutive rounds – then it's time to visit a foot specialist.
Footwise’s resident Podiatrist is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all problems relating to the skeletal structure of your fee and can undertake an advanced bio-mechanical or gait analysis. Footwise can also create both Comfort and Prescriptive Orthotics and stock the world-renown Ecco golf shoe.
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©April 2005 Feet First (Europe) Limited - Webmaster