CONDITION
Dealing with chronic right-sided medial forearm and elbow pain that affected his golf performance, grip strength, and work productivity over the past 2 years.
42
Male
| CHALLENGES | ROOT CAUSES |
|---|---|
| Playing full 18 holes | Medial elbow tenderness |
| Grip weakness during later rounds | Grip weakness |
| Typing for long periods | Limited right shoulder external rotation |
| Reduced work productivity | Poor hip and shoulder separation |
| Pain affecting golf performance | Limited left hip internal rotation |
PREVIOUS TREATMENTS
Previous treatments included physical therapy, massage, ice and rest, pain medication, and chiropractic care with shockwave treatments.
GOALS
Be able to comfortably play 18 holes with his friends during their traditional Sunday golf rounds
TREATMENT PHASES
1
1. Pain Relief & Early Management
- Isometric and eccentric wrist extensor/flexor exercises with golf-specific and thoracic mobility work.
- Pelvic control and left hip internal rotation mobility.
2
2. Restore Movement & Function
- Strengthened scapular stabilizers and rotator cuff musculature
- Loaded thoracic rotation training
- Hip and shoulder motor control training for golf swing sequencing
3
3. Load, Performance & Strength
- Heavy lower body strengthening
- Rotational plyometrics
Treatment Obstacles & Adjustments
- His work required random travel, which occasionally caused missed treatment weeks. Adjustments were made by creating travel-friendly exercise options with accessible equipment. He also did not want to completely stop golfing due to the progress he was making, so a load management strategy was implemented by reducing swing intensity and limiting practice volume.
Measurable wins
- Played 27 holes in one day without pain
- Played 36 holes on a golf trip with only minor soreness from the volume of play
- Improved driving distance by 15 yards
Outcome
- He returned to golfing pain free, was able to complete extended rounds comfortably, and improved both his endurance and performance on the course.
Elbow Results
Client Feedback
“Dr. Alex’s method literally gave me a new life. I am able to bend at the waist, have fun with my son doing activities running around, even sleeping through the night. I can work a lot more comfortably and even sit longer periods of time with much less pain.”
Dr. Alex Mak, DC, CCSP, CSCS, QME
Your FREE First Visit
60minYour first step is a low-pressure visit to understand your body mechanics, what will resolve it, and explain our approach.
- Quick intake: what’s hurting, what triggers it, training goals
- Movement: mobility, strength, control, and sport-specific patterns
- Clear plan: observations, why it’s happening, best path forward
What You’ll Receive
- A clear clinical direction and root-cause hypothesis
- Recommended next steps, including a plan and projected timeline
- Practical guidance on what to do, and what to avoid, in training right now
Watch Video
