Why does only one side of my back hurt after playing golf?

Golf is a repetitive, one-sided activity. Every swing rotates your spine the same direction and loads the same hip, shoulder, and lower back muscles. Over time, this creates muscle imbalances where your dominant side becomes overworked and tight while the opposite side weakens. Chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Technique, and dry needling are all effective treatments for this pattern.

Can pickleball cause lower back pain?

Yes. Pickleball involves constant planting, pivoting, and swinging on your dominant side. That repetitive one-sided motion leads to muscle imbalances, spinal misalignment, and trigger points that show up as lower back pain, hip tightness, and shoulder discomfort. A chiropractor can assess the root cause and create a treatment plan to get you back on the court pain-free.

What is Active Release Technique and how does it help with sports injuries?

Active Release Technique, or ART, is a hands-on soft tissue method that targets scar tissue and adhesions built up in muscles and connective tissue from repetitive motion. The provider applies precise tension while guiding the patient through specific movements to break down those adhesions and restore normal range of motion. It is particularly effective for athletes dealing with overuse injuries from one-sided sports like golf, pickleball, and bowling.

Why One Side of Your Back Hurts After Golf, Pickleball or Bowling

If one side of your back feels tighter, achier, or more worn down than the other after playing pickleball, golf, or bowling, that pattern has a name -- and it is very treatable. Watch the video below to hear Dr. Megan Tomberlin explain exactly what is happening in your body and what you can do about it.

What These Three Sports Have in Common

Pickleball, golf, and bowling feel like completely different activities. But they share one critical trait: they are all repetitive, one-sided movements. Every swing, every delivery, every pivot and lunge loads the same arm, the same hip, and the same side of your spine -- over and over again.

Your dominant side works constantly. Your other side is mostly along for the ride. Over weeks, months, and years, that imbalance adds up in ways your body quietly absorbs until one day it cannot anymore.

What Is a Muscle Imbalance and Why Does It Cause Pain?

A muscle imbalance develops when one side of your body becomes chronically overworked while the opposite side weakens from underuse. Here is what that looks like in your body:

The muscles on your dominant side become tight, guarded, and overloaded
The muscles on the other side lose strength and stop supporting your spine properly
Your spine gradually loses alignment as these uneven forces pull on your vertebrae
Joints become stiff and restricted, limiting your range of motion
Trigger points develop -- those deep, stubborn knots that ache but will not stretch out no matter what you try

Your body is excellent at compensating quietly. It can work around these imbalances for months or even years before serious pain sets in. But by the time the pain arrives, the problem has usually been building for a long time.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Lower back pain that is worse on one side
A tight or pulling sensation in the hip flexor
Pain that comes back every time you play, even after rest and stretching
Morning stiffness that loosens as the day goes on
Pain radiating down into your leg, deep into your hip, or through your shoulder
One side of your body that consistently feels more worn down than the other

How We Treat It at Waves of Wellness Chiropractic

The good news is that this is very treatable. We see this pattern in our practice every week. Our approach is thorough and whole-body, designed specifically for active people dealing with overuse and repetitive motion injuries.

Chiropractic Adjustments

When repetitive one-sided movement has restricted your spine, chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment and get those joints moving freely again. This takes pressure off your nerves and helps your whole body function the way it should.

Active Release Technique (ART)

For deeper tightness and scar tissue built up in muscles and connective tissue from years of athletic use, Dr. Jordan Warner uses Active Release Technique. ART is a precise, hands-on method that breaks down adhesions and restores full, normal movement to the affected tissue. It is particularly effective for athletes who carry a history of repetitive one-sided motion in their bodies.

Dry Needling

For those truly stubborn trigger points sending pain down into your leg, deep into your hip, or radiating through your shoulder, dry needling goes directly to the source. Dr. Megan Tomberlin specializes in dry needling, using fine, thin needles to target specific points and release the muscle tension directly. Many patients are surprised by how much relief they feel after just one or two sessions.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy helps address overall muscle tension throughout the body and supports your recovery between visits, keeping you looser and more responsive to treatment over time.

You Do Not Have to Stop Playing

The goal at every step is not just to help you feel better today. It is to keep you on the court, on the course, and in the lane doing what you love for a long time to come. You do not have to accept pain as the price of staying active.

Ready to Feel Better? We Are Right Here.

If you are in Leland, Wilmington, Brunswick County, or the surrounding communities and you are ready to get to the root of what is causing your one-sided pain, we would love to help. Call us at (910) 859-8359 to schedule your first appointment.

We are located at 473 Olde Waterford Way, Suite 118, Leland, North Carolina 28451.

Medical Disclaimer: This blog post and video are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing health symptoms or pain, please consult your healthcare provider promptly.