04/28/2026
If your neck hurts during or after a round of golf, the cervical spine is usually not where the problem starts.
The golf swing demands rotation. That rotation is supposed to come from your thoracic spine — your mid-back. When the thoracic is stiff and restricted, it can't contribute its share. The cervical spine compensates. Over a round of 70 to 80 swings it's absorbing rotational forces repeatedly in the same direction, in the same joints, with no break in between.
It's a common pattern I see with golfers who come in with neck pain. We treat the neck, but we also have to address the thoracic restriction or the problem keeps coming back.
Swipe through to see the three things we assess when a golfer comes in with this pattern.
Have you dealt with neck pain during or after golf? Drop a comment — I'm curious how many of you have had this explained to you.