Golf Injury Care in Glendale, AZ

Golf asks a lot of your back, hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists, and many golfers deal with a nagging injury at some point. At Muscle Chiropractic in Glendale, AZ, sports chiropractor Dr. Tim Ballitch examines the painful area and how you move through the motions of your swing, then builds a plan to help you keep playing when that’s safe.

Golf injury slowing you down? Choose your visit:

• New patients who have never been seen at Muscle Chiropractic (ages 12+): Book a New Patient Visit — scheduled for about 30 minutes, including your history and exam. $154.13 (credit card price). See what to expect and bring.
• Existing patients, including for a new problem: Book an Existing Patient Visit — $67 (credit card price).

There’s no separate golf appointment. Book the visit that fits you and mention that the pain affects your golf. Soft tissue work and corrective exercise are included when appropriate, with no extra fee.

Prices shown are credit card prices. A cash discount is available when paying at the time of service.

Questions first? Call or text 480-740-9619.

Common golf complaints Dr. Tim sees

• Low back pain. The most commonly reported golf injury area. It may flare after a long round, a range session or a change in practice volume. See back pain care, and sciatica care if pain travels down the leg.
• Hip pain or stiffness, especially when turning onto the lead hip. Limited hip rotation can also change how your back moves. See hip pain care.
• Shoulder pain at the top of the backswing or in the follow-through. See shoulder pain care.
• Elbow pain, including golfer’s elbow on the inner side and tennis elbow on the outer side, which golfers also get. See elbow pain care.
• Wrist and hand pain, often after hitting the ground or a root, or from practicing heavily.

What happens at your visit

1. History: when the pain started, which part of the swing hurts, how often you play and practice, and any recent changes in clubs, technique or training.
2. Examination: the painful area plus the joints above and below it, including hip, trunk and shoulder rotation, strength and balance on each leg. Dr. Tim may ask you to show the swing positions that hurt.
3. Explanation: what Dr. Tim found, what he recommends, and whether you should adjust your playing for now.
4. Care, if it fits: one or more of the options below.

Care options Dr. Tim may use

• Chiropractic and extremity adjustments for stiff joints in the spine, hips, shoulders, elbows or wrists, when your exam shows they fit.
• Manual muscle release and IASTM (scraping) or cupping.
• Corrective exercise for hip and trunk mobility, strength and control, with advice on warming up and building back to full rounds.
• Kinesiology taping as support while you return to play, when it fits.
• For some persistent tendon problems, such as golfer’s or tennis elbow that hasn’t settled, Dr. Tim may discuss radial shockwave as a separate service.

Dr. Tim treats the injury and how your body moves. He isn’t a golf instructor; for technique changes, he may suggest working with your golf professional.

When to get medical care first

• Sudden severe pain with swelling, bruising or a deformed joint, or you can’t use the arm or bear weight after a fall or mishit.
• New numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, numbness in the groin, or bladder or bowel changes.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness while playing. Stop and get emergency care.
• Pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer.

What the research shows

• A 2024 review and meta-analysis found that over half of golfers have a musculoskeletal injury during their lifetime, with professionals at higher risk than amateurs (Williamson et al., Br J Sports Med, 2024).
• Another 2024 review found the low back was the most common injury area across golf populations; in recreational players, the trunk was most often injured in men and the arms in women (Garrett et al., J Strength Cond Res, 2024).

Research on chiropractic care specifically for golf injuries is limited, so Dr. Tim relies on evidence for each condition and rechecks how you respond. Care is aimed at your pain and function; it isn’t promised to improve your score, swing speed or prevent future injury. Results vary.

Common questions

Can I keep playing golf?

Often yes, with temporary changes such as fewer holes, shorter practice sessions or avoiding full swings for a while. Dr. Tim will tell you what to modify.

Do you analyze my golf swing?

Dr. Tim may watch the swing positions that cause pain to understand your injury. He doesn’t provide golf instruction, and may suggest working with your golf professional on technique.

Do I need imaging?

Usually not. Dr. Tim will recommend an X-ray, MRI or referral if your history or exam suggests you need it.

Visit us in Glendale

Our only office is at 7155 W. Campo Bello Dr., Building B, Suite B-115, Glendale, AZ 85308, less than a mile from Arrowhead Towne Center. Muscle Chiropractic is cash-based and doesn’t bill health insurance; HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and receipts with procedure codes are available. Hours and directions · Call or text 480-740-9619.

Related care

Sports chiropractic · Sports injuries · Tennis and golfer’s elbow · Hip pain · Back pain