Golf injuries can happen to anyone, amateur or pro. It has been estimated that over thirty percent of pro golfers playing concurrently are playing with injury. On the positive side, general good health and fitness can decrease the number of injuries a person may incur and may possibly prevent them.
Though good body strength in the muscle areas most utilized when golfing is crucial, it’s prudent to make sure that your spine is in healthy alignment and has good mobility prior to setting out to build muscle strength. A successful golf swing is contingent upon your spine’s capacity to efficiently rotate effectually. Back injuries are the most widespread type of injuries sustained by golfers. Your chiropractor will take care that your spine is in appropriate alignment and that there is effectual movement of the vertebrae. Chiropractic management can help you to avert back injury.
It’s time to strengthen once you’re “straightened.” A safe, injury-free day on the green is contingent upon your being prepared for your golf activity. You can warm up your muscles and make muscle strain less likely by doing golf stretching and flexibility exercises. Flexibility in all areas of the body can be escalated fairly quickly through full body range of motion (ROM) exercises. In addition, elastic band conditioning can provide targeted golf range of motion advantages and can increase needed strength in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Since elastic band training offers the dynamic resistance that ordinary weight lifting does not, sports professionals, like your chiropractor, are adding them to their golf conditioning programs.
Besides back injuries, many golfers have painful “Golfer’s Elbow.” There is a minute difference between golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow though they are almost identical injuries. Whereas the outside of the upper arm is disturbed in tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow impinges the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be a reaction to a single extreme action, such as (in golf) thrusting down on the mat at the driving range or striking a hard fairway surface. Repetitive stress from smaller shocks, though, is more commonly the protagonist. What’s more, it can occur for those who all of a sudden start playing too much golf. For example, if players that usually play golf once or twice a month choose to play in a tournament, they are likely at risk for incurring an injury.
There are more golf injuries because sport makes exclusive demands on the body. The game is usually longer than many other sports and that can result in fatigue. Incorrect posture and clumsiness are frequently the result of body fatigue. Together, these two components can cause a variety of injuries. In addition, the constant swinging of the golf clubs puts the shoulder muscles at risk for injury. Warming up with stretches and resting between games is essential for avoiding unnecessary injury.
An unexpected injury sometimes related to golf is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. But, as it a problem that occurs as the result of repetitive stress, a numerous amount of games of golf played over several months continuously may produce this injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a severe injury creating incapacitation and sometimes needing surgery. However, chiropractic management and, sometimes the use of a brace will relieve the problem if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, discovers it at an early stage.
Injuries are assumed to be an inescapable part of life for many golfers. Nonetheless, an aligned and flexible spine, appropriate exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and sustaining a a good fitness level, good preparation and prudent rest and recuperation after your game is over, can help to lower the risk of injuries during your golfing experience.
Dr. Yong Kim is a Chiropractor in Sacramento with over thirteen years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. Dr. Kim’s clinic is located at 1707 Professional Drive, Sacramento, CA 95825. He has a special interest as well as post doctoral training in sports injuries.
