The Most Common Problems for Nashville Golfers

After years of working almost exclusively with Nashville golfers, a few consistent patterns have emerged. While every golfer’s journey toward pain relief and swing improvement is unique, there are clear trends worth highlighting.

First, low back pain is by far the most common issue I see—it’s affecting a large number of local players. Second, previous injuries often linger in the background, limiting mobility, causing pain, and holding back performance. And finally, many golfers have already tried generalist care with little to no lasting results—because what they really need is a targeted, golf-specific approach.

1.Low back pain is the most common pain point in Nashville golfers

I’ve written plenty on this topic. Here are a few key points. Low back pain is symptom, but the cause is usually elsewhere. Even in the case of a disc bulge in the lumbar spine, there were excessive forces placed through the segments to begin with. Could it be because the thoracic spine has limited mobility? Or the hips and pelvis cannot separate, leaving it to the lumbar spine to create the additional rotation. Even foot mechanics can play a role in why excessive forces are being placed in the low back. It is important to treat the symptoms and inured tissues, but we also need to address the true causes! Check out these resources on this topic that go into more detail on low back pain in golfers…

-Do you think there is hope part 2: Low back pain

-The real cause of chronic low back pain in golfers

-Why does your low back hurt while golfing

-Passive Vs. active care for low back pain

2. Past injuries are hurting you (and your golf performance)

Shoulder and hip labrum tears, meniscus injuries, disc bulges, rotator cuff tears, ACL reconstructions, hip replacements—these are just a few of the past injuries we frequently see in Nashville golfers. And they’re often playing a major role in both ongoing pain and current performance limitations. As mentioned earlier, injuries in one area often leave behind deficits in mobility, stability, or motor control that show up later—sometimes in completely different regions of the body.

Even if you’re no longer in pain, these old injuries can still be the root cause of that recurring swing fault, your “big miss,” or the tightness and discomfort that keeps coming back. At Integrated Rehab and Performance Center, our 5-part comprehensive exam is designed to uncover these hidden connections and identify the true root causes—so we can build a plan that moves you forward. Here is a little bit more on that process…

-Nashville golf and athletic club case study part 1: The exam

-Nashville golf and athletic club part 2: The treatment plan

3. How many providers have you seen for your pain?

Most golfers who come to see me have already been through the cycle—chiropractors, physical therapists, even orthopedic specialists. Often, they’ve also tried providers who market themselves as “sports medicine” experts or claim to work with golfers. Yet despite all that, their pain persists. Why? Because in many cases, the root cause was never fully identified, assessed, or addressed with a plan that reflects the unique demands of golf. That’s where we do things differently. This is where that comprehensive exam comes in. Further Nashville golfers need treatment styles and practices that not only address the pain, but the root causes WHILE integrating these changes back into the golf swing, this being the single most common missing component in Nashville providers. Check out this article for a bit more on this topic…

-3 things medical doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors get wrong with Nashville golfers

Conclusion

If you're a Nashville golfer dealing with lingering pain, recurring swing faults, or underperforming despite your efforts, you're not alone—and you're not out of options. The patterns are clear: low back pain is often a symptom, not the root cause. Old injuries continue to affect function long after the pain fades. And many golfers have been through rounds of treatment that failed to deliver real, lasting results because they weren't built specifically for the demands of golf.

At Integrated Rehab and Performance Center, we take a different approach. Through a detailed, golf-specific assessment and a plan built around your individual movement, injury history, and performance goals, we address both the pain and the underlying dysfunction. Most importantly, we reintegrate those changes back into your swing—because feeling better isn’t enough unless it translates to playing better.

If you’re tired of temporary fixes and ready for real progress, we’d love to help you get back to doing what you love—stronger, healthier, and pain-free.

-Dr. Nick DC, MS, TPI, CSCS

If you would like to learn more about your body, pain, and performance, send Dr. Nick an email at contact@integratedrpc.com or call at (585)478-4379, or schedule a FREE discovery visit at Contact.

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