Golf is a sport that puts a lot of stress through the torso and low back, often resulting in back pain – but having regular Chiropractic care may be able to help manage and treat back pain. Amateur golfers will swing a driver up to 90 km/hr and PGA pros will swing a driver 193+km/hr while bending, twisting and turning their body. These movements are repetitive and can be very jarring on the body.
There are other aspects of the sport that can cause back pain other than the golf swing. Golf involves a lot of walking between holes, positioning your body on unstable surfaces, such as on hills, around tree roots and in the sand, to take a shot. Then there can be a lot of standing around in between shots where the golfer will often lean on one side of the body and then shift weight to the other side causing each side to tense up and then relax. They will then walk up to the tee box and swing at 90+km/hr, causing trauma to the low back and when they finally get up to the green, they need to awkwardly bend over the ball to attempt to sink a putt.
Golfing injuries – what are the most common types and how may Chiropractic help?
Neck and low back pain
Due to the repetitive nature of golf, muscle strains, especially of the back are a common injury. According to the PGA tour, 80% of golf injuries are related to the spine. Getting regular Chiropractic adjustments as a golfer, helps to ensure your neck and back are properly aligned and that you are functioning optimally. By making sure that your body is aligned, the awkward stances and movements associated with golf may have less of a negative impact on the body. Chiropractors are also able to provide stretches to add into your warm up, specifically targeting the hip flexors, hamstrings, glutes and low back muscles, to avoid further injuries.
Golfer’s Elbow
A golfer’s elbow injury occurs when there is inflammation of the elbow, often caused by overuse. Chiropractic may be able to help by breaking up the scar tissue in the area, which stops your muscles from functioning correctly and causes pain. Joint manipulation may also be used in order to realign the elbow and help to regain some of the mobility that was lost due to the build up of scar tissue. Chiropractors can also give you some tips on how to reduce the inflammation in the area which will allow the body to heal easier and lessen the pain.
Tips to avoid golfing injuries
There are many ways to avoid the above injuries that are commonly seen in golfers. Adding simple stretches into your warm up and getting regular adjustments help to keep the body aligned, functioning at its optimal capacity and can help to prevent these injuries from occurring so that you are able to enjoy your golf round injury and pain free.
Whether you are an avid golfer or just someone who likes to go out with friends on the weekend for a bit of fun, if you are experiencing neck pain, back pain or elbow pain then it may be a good time to consider a Chiropractor. Chiropractors will be able to tailor care to suit your needs and give you any advice necessary to avoid future injuries and improve your golf game. If you are experiencing any of these conditions or have any questions, contact your local Chiropractor and they will be happy to advise you on what is best for you.
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