Welcome to PT Peak Performance, a team blog of ORA physical and occupational therapists dedicated to our patients and friends who want to keep life in forward motion. Meet ORA PT Nick Jagush, graduate of Bradley University, Peoria, IL, and Creighton University, Omaha, NE.
I became interested in physical therapy as a senior in high school when I suffered a knee injury during a basketball game. I was exposed to athletic training and physical therapy through my recovery journey following ACL reconstruction surgery.
I quickly realized my injury was a blessing in disguise and decided to pursue an education in physical therapy. I currently specialize in physical therapy for all orthopedic conditions with a special interest in sports rehab and injury prevention, including providing expertise for ORA’s PT Golf Program.
Training with Titleist – How ORA PT Improves Your Golf Game
Through my training with the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), I have learned there are many ways to swing a golf club. However, the larger question is whether your golf swing is efficient enough to reduce strain on your joints and muscles. To help you, I utilize TPI’s physical screening process as well as perform video analysis of your swing to identify swing characteristics that have the potential to create injuries over time.
Once those areas are identified, I work with you on the physical limitations that correlate to your flawed swing characteristics through a series of exercises and manual therapy techniques.
Senior golfers attempt to fight the body’s natural aging process and as such injuries tend to increase with chronological age. Arthritic joints limit joint mobility throughout the body and a gradual loss of strength over time contribute to the increased risk of injury as we age. This combination can put undue stress on all joints of the body if not properly trained.
Nick Jagush, ORA Physical Therapy
Strains and Sprains Contribute to Swing Mechanics
The most common injuries we see in golf rehab are sprains and strains, tendinitis, arthritis flare- ups, and lumbar disc/spine injuries. These injuries can happen all over the body. Physical limitations that result in poor swing mechanics are the leading cause of injuries in amateur players.
Golf Exercises for a Better Game
A regular fitness program is highly recommended for active golfers. To tailor a specific golf regimen, ORA PT offers what’s called a “TPI screen.” A TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) screen is a physical assessment that identifies what physical limitations may affect your own swing and overall performance.
It helps you understand your body’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to your golf swing, allowing for custom training and tailored programs to improve your movement, reduce risk of injuring and improve golfing performance.
Try these exercises that help to golfers at all levels:
Bridging with Arms Up
Hip Hinging with Club
Half-Kneeling Rotations with Club
Chair Squat with Arms Crossed
Wrist/Forearm Exercises Performed with Dumbbell: Wrist Radial Deviation, Wrist Flexion, Wrist Extension, Forearm Pronation/Supination
When does a golfer need to see a doctor?
When issues and symptoms start to interfere with quality of life during regular work or recreational activities such as golf, it is always recommended to have it properly examined by one of our ORA physicians.
Usually, therapy is the gold standard for recovery once their injury is properly diagnosed. A TPI screen also can help identify physical limitations that may predispose you to injury. We can develop a plan to prevent further injuries in the future through our rehab/injury prevention programming.
See you on the links, Quad Cities!
