Golf And Your Back

Golfers will begin to head to the greens as soon as the first mild days of spring beckons them outside. However, a few months of relatively sedentary indoor activities during the winter months may have left some golfers vulnerable to back injuries associated with the sport.

Golf, just as any other type of physical activity, requires at least a minimal level of fitness as well as an awareness of the potential for back injuries specific to the activity. It also requires participants to know when to stop playing and rest and possibly seek treatment when back pain occurs.

What Are the Risks of Back Injuries Associated With Golfing?

The physical components of golf require various challenges to the back, particularly the lower back region. Golfers engage in the sport on uneven grassy services that may be wet from morning dew or previous rainfall, which presents risks of slipping and sudden twisting of the lower back,

They carry large bags of golf clubs at some points of the game, even if it only involves carrying them from their personal vehicles to their golf carts. This burden still presents a risk to some golfers with weak back and abdominal muscles.

The nature of the activity itself, which involves a sudden violent twisting of the entire spine as the golfer hits the ball, exposes the participant to potential back issues.

What Are the Treatments for Back Injuries Associated With Golfing?

Stressed muscles in the lower back from golf practice can result in a few days of intense twinges of occasional pain. These types of injuries can usually resolve themselves after a few days of rest, OTC (non-prescription) anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and a heating pad to warm and relax muscles.

However, ongoing back pain should be treated by a professional. The magnificent flexibility of the spine that allows the golf swing to occur can also provide opportunity for the individual vertebra in the spinal column to become misaligned.

This can cause pain in the affected area of the back as well as pain, numbness, and weakness in other areas of the body because of the proximity of major nerve clusters along the length of the spine.

A chiropractor can physically realign the vertebra, stretch affected muscle groups, and provide counseling for prevention of future occurrences.

What Are Some of the Ways to Prevent Back Pain Associated With Golfing?

Physical fitness, especially strong core abdominal muscles, is the first defense against back injuries from golfing. Golfers must bend over to retrieve and set balls numerous times during a single game, so those at risk of back pain should place less strain on their lower back through mindful bending techniques.

Stress on the lower back can be minimized by placing a hand on one leg or extending one leg behind the body when bending for a ball.

Preparation and maintaining proper practices for back safety can keep golfers in the sunshine and on course for the entire golfing season. For more information about back pain, talk with the professionals at Hiler Chiropractic and Vax-D Decompression Center.