Sciatica and Golf: How Sarasota Golfers Can Find Relief
If you’re a golfer in Sarasota and you’ve noticed sharp pain running from your lower back into your hip, hamstring, or calf, you may be experiencing sciatica. This nerve-related pain is common in golfers, especially those who play often on Sarasota’s many courses, and it can make it nearly impossible to enjoy 18 holes.
At Well Co Chiropractic, we specialize in helping golfers recover from sciatica with Active Release Technique (ART), soft tissue therapy, and golf-specific rehab. The goal: keep you swinging freely without pain holding you back.
Why Golfers Get Sciatica
Golf is unique—it demands rotational power, hip mobility, and spinal stability. When any of those break down, the sciatic nerve can get irritated. Common golf-related causes include:
Repetitive twisting → Overloads the lumbar discs, increasing risk of herniation or bulge
Prolonged forward posture → Leaning during setup puts compression on the lower back
Weak core and hips → Forces the low back to absorb too much of the swing load
Overuse → Playing multiple rounds per week without recovery time.
How to Know If It’s Sciatica
Golfers often describe:
Sharp, shooting pain from the back into the glutes, hamstring, or calf
Tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
Weakness when squatting, pushing off, or rotating through the swing
Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or twisting—all motions common in golf
Research on Recovery ~
Most herniated discs shrink on their own over time, especially with proper movement (96% for sequestrated discs, 70% for extruded discs).
Strength training reduces recurrence, particularly when golfers rebuild hip and core control.
Modifying load (like reducing swing volume or altering gym lifts) lets the back heal while staying active.
Our Approach for Sarasota Golfers
Golf-specific evaluation – posture, swing mechanics, and hip/spine balance.
Active Release Technique (ART): Hands-on treatment to free up tight glutes, hamstrings, and spinal tissues that trap the sciatic nerve.
Rehab program: Core stability, hip mobility, and rotational drills tailored to golf.
Return-to-play progression: Gradual re-loading so you can get back to the driving range and the course without setbacks.
Quick Tips for Golfers with Sciatica
Shorten your practice sessions until symptoms improve.
Engage your core during setup to take stress off the lumbar discs.
Warm up with hip mobility drills before teeing off.
Swap gym lifts: Use trap bar deadlifts or hip-dominant exercises to reduce nerve tension.
Don’t Let Sciatica Keep You Off the Course
Golf should be relaxing, not painful. If sciatica is limiting your swing or forcing you to cut rounds short, we can help. At Well Co Chiropractic, we use Active Release and golf-specific rehab so Sarasota golfers can return to the game stronger, more stable, and pain-free.
