If you’re a golfer over 50, you’ve probably noticed your body doesn’t move quite like it used to. Your backswing feels shorter, your hips don’t turn as easily, and your shoulders seem stiffer after a round. Maybe you’ve even started feeling that familiar ache in your lower back that wasn’t there ten years ago. The truth is, your fascia might be holding you back - not just your technique.
At Over50Golf, we’ve seen countless golfers improve their game simply by improving how their bodies move. And one of the most powerful tools for that is Block Therapy, a self-care fascia decompression practice developed in Winnipeg that’s transforming how golfers feel and perform.
What Exactly Is Block Therapy?
Block Therapy was created by Deanna Hansen, a Certified Athletic Therapist in Winnipeg, Canada. She discovered that by combining breath, gravity, and pressure from a small wooden block - the Block Buddy - she could release deep adhesions and restrictions in the body’s connective tissue (fascia).
Fascia is the web of tissue that surrounds and connects every muscle, joint, and organ in your body. Over time, through aging, poor posture, injuries, or repetitive movement, fascia can become tight, dehydrated, and compressed, restricting blood and oxygen flow.
For golfers, that translates into:
- Shorter backswings
- Loss of rotation
- Achy joints
- Inconsistent posture
- And reduced energy or power through impact
Block Therapy helps reverse these patterns by decompressing the fascia, restoring alignment, circulation, and mobility throughout the body.
At Over50Golf, Certified Block Therapy Instructor Tammy Gibson brings this practice to golfers, integrating fascia decompression with golf-specific movement and breathing.
How Block Therapy Works for Golfers
Block Therapy is built on three core principles - all of which directly benefit your golf performance and longevity.
1. Create Space
By lying on the Block Buddy in targeted positions, you use your bodyweight and gravity to gently “melt” tension and adhesions in the fascia. Think of it like aerating the turf before a game - you’re creating space for nutrients (and energy) to flow freely again. For golfers, that means:
- Freeing the thoracic spine for better shoulder rotation
- Opening the hips and pelvis for smoother transitions
- Lengthening the spine for better posture and balance
As you release compression, your joints realign naturally, giving you a freer, more balanced swing motion.
2. Inflate Space (Deep Breathing)
Once space is created, the next step is to breathe into it. Deep diaphragmatic breathing - a core part of every Block Therapy session - draws oxygen and heat into the tissues, helping soften and re-hydrate the fascia. This process “inflates” the new space you’ve created and improves circulation to the muscles that power your golf swing. For the aging golfer, learning to breathe properly is one of the biggest performance upgrades possible. Better breath = more relaxation, better tempo, and smoother rhythm throughout the swing.
3. Maintain Space
Finally, Block Therapy teaches postural awareness and alignment so you can maintain the improvements you’ve made. Golfers often struggle with rounded shoulders, forward head posture, or sway back - all of which affect setup and swing plane. By improving fascial alignment, your spine and joints return to their optimal positions. The result? Better posture at address, improved balance through impact, and fewer injuries over time.
Why Fascia Health Matters for Golfers Over 50
Most golfers focus on muscles and flexibility - but fascia is the missing link between movement, power, and longevity. As fascia compresses with age, your body literally loses space to move. This not only limits your range of motion for your golf swing but also increases wear and tear on joints and ligaments. Healthy fascia allows for smooth, effortless movement - the kind you see in players like Sam Snead or Fred Couples, whose swings look relaxed but powerful. By working with your fascia, not against it, you can restore that natural efficiency that makes golf easier on your body - even decades later.
What Golfers Experience with Block Therapy
- Increased circulation & oxygenation
- Faster recovery after rounds and better endurance
- Release of tension & adhesions
- Freer hip and shoulder turn for full rotation
- Improved posture & alignment
- More consistent setup and spine angle
- Reduced pain & stiffness
- Playing longer and more comfortably
- Greater mobility & flexibility
- Fuller swing and smoother tempo
- Calming the nervous system
- Better focus and control under pressure
- Healthier joints and long-term movement freedom
When fascia is released and hydrated, everything improves — balance, coordination, even your mental focus.
Why Should I Try Block Therapy for Golf
This method is especially valuable for:
- Golfers over 50 who feel stiff or restricted in their hips, back, or shoulders
- Players dealing with chronic pain or past injuries
- Anyone wanting to extend their playing years without pain
- Golfers looking to improve rotation and posture
- Coaches who want a new performance tool for their students
- Beginners who want to build a strong foundation of body awareness and mobility
Because it’s low-impact and self-guided, Block Therapy fits every golfer’s body and fitness level.
A Typical Golf-Focused Block Therapy Session
Sessions run 45–60 minutes and can be tailored to your specific mobility goals or swing challenges.
Here’s what you can expect:
Mobility & Posture Assessment - Tammy begins by identifying restrictions that may be affecting your swing - limited shoulder turn, hip imbalance, or poor posture.
Instruction in Diaphragmatic Breathing - You’ll learn how to breathe from your diaphragm, which improves oxygen flow and helps relax tight tissues.
Targeted Block Positions - Positions are chosen for golf-specific areas - hips, ribs, shoulders, thoracic spine, and lower back.
Postural Reinforcement - You’ll practice proper spinal alignment and weight distribution - key for maintaining consistency in your swing.
At-Home Practice Plan - You’ll receive simple positions to practice between sessions, helping you maintain mobility and progress faster.
Block Therapy vs Other Mobility Techniques
Block Therapy
- Fascia decompression + breath
- Long-term mobility, better posture, less pain
- Self-directed, deeper release than stretching
Massage
- Muscle relaxation
- Short-term relief
- Doesn’t address fascia adhesions
Myofascial Release
- Manual therapist pressure
- Moderate improvement
- Requires professional sessions
Foam Rolling
- Muscle compression
- Temporary benefit
- May irritate tissues or miss deeper fascia layers
Unlike massage or foam rolling, Block Therapy teaches golfers how to care for their own fascia safely and effectively — anytime, anywhere.
Is Block Therapy Safe for Senior Golfers?
Yes - absolutely. In fact, golfers over 50 stand to benefit the most.
Because Block Therapy is gentle, bodyweight-based, and adaptable, it’s perfect for those managing arthritis, stiffness, or injury recovery.
Tips for Safe Practice:
- Start slowly and listen to your body
- Avoid pressing directly on joints or bones at the beginning
- Never force a movement or hold your breath
- Work with a certified instructor like Tammy to ensure proper form
- Consult your doctor if you’ve had recent surgery or serious conditions
- When practiced correctly, Block Therapy can feel deeply relaxing - like melting away decades of tightness - while building strength and alignment from the inside out.
Golf-Specific Results You Can Expect
Most golfers begin noticing improvements within 1–3 sessions.
Common early results include:
- A smoother, freer backswing
- Easier hip rotation without strain
- Reduced lower-back and shoulder pain
- Improved balance and coordination
- Better contact and tempo from improved posture
Over time, consistent practice leads to lasting structural change - the kind that helps you feel younger, more flexible, and more confident in every swing.
How to Add Block Therapy to Your Golf Routine
Integrating Block Therapy into your weekly golf schedule is easy, and you’ll feel the difference both on and off the course.
Here’s how to get started:
- Book a session with Tammy Gibson at Over50Golf.com
- Get your own Block Buddy from Tammy - the essential tool for home practice
- Start with 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times per week
- Use it before rounds as a mobility warm-up or after rounds to recover faster
- Combine it with your Over50Golf swing or mobility program for maximum results
Within weeks, you’ll notice more space in your body, better flow in your movement, and more confidence in your swing.
🟧 Frequently Asked Questions from Golfers
Q: Can Block Therapy help me increase swing speed?
Yes - by improving rotational mobility in the hips and shoulders, you can generate effortless clubhead speed without forcing it.
Q: Will it help my back pain after golf?
Definitely. By decompressing the fascia around your spine and hips, Block Therapy eases chronic tension and supports healthy alignment.
Q: Is it suitable for older adults or those with limited flexibility?
Absolutely. It’s low-impact, fully adjustable, and highly effective for seniors.
Q: How is this different from stretching or yoga?
Stretching lengthens muscles; Block Therapy decompresses fascia - creating space and structure so your movements are more natural and pain-free.
Q: Can I use it with my strength or fitness program?
Yes. In fact, it enhances strength training and golf-specific conditioning by restoring full range of motion and joint integrity.
Why Golfers Over 50 Are Turning to Block Therapy
Aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. It just means your body needs smarter maintenance. Traditional stretching or fitness alone can’t always solve deep restrictions caused by years of repetitive golf motions. Block Therapy goes where other methods can’t - into the fascia, the body’s inner fabric - to restore flow, alignment, and vitality. For many golfers, it’s the first time they’ve felt truly free in their bodies again. They swing smoother, recover faster, and rediscover that effortless rhythm that makes the game so enjoyable.
As Tammy often says:
“When you give your body space, your swing finds its natural rhythm again - and everything gets easier.”
Experience Block Therapy for Golf
If you’re ready to move better, play longer, and finally enjoy pain-free golf again, it’s time to experience Block Therapy for Golf.
📍 Available exclusively in-person in Winnipeg or online through Over50Golf with Certified Instructor Tammy Gibson, this program blends fascia decompression, breathwork, and golf mobility to help you perform and feel your best - at any age.
👉 Book your first session today at Over50Golf.com and discover how to restore your body’s natural power, balance, and freedom.
Your best golf years aren’t behind you - they’re waiting for you to unlock the movement you were built for.
To your best golf,
Tammy and Barry
