Warm weather, clear skies, and fresh greens are all a golfer could ask for. For the advocate, practice makes perfect, and when you couple free time with good weather, they will indeed be practicing their swing on the course. Unfortunately, a perfect swing and the repetitive motion can place a lot of stress on the lower back.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, sports injuries, specifically golf, are common amongst patients. Activities that require repetitive motion can cause degenerative problems and promote pain. With our experienced medical team and dedication to providing excellent care, we hope to deliver a beneficial treatment plan.
Golf’s popularity has drastically grown over the past decade, especially in the baby boomer generation. Baby boomers are already at risk for lower back issues and golf only adds to this pain and exacerbates preexisting back conditions. Not only can a golfer’s swing induce back pain, but incorrectly carrying a golf bag may lead to lower back issues.
Typically, the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum are affected by a golf swing. This portion of the back is the lower part, around 4 inches above the tailbone. The continual twisting of this area can lead to degenerative disc disease and the introduction of spondylolisthesis. Muscles strains and tendon issues can arise when playing golf, especially consecutively. These repetitive stress injuries will continue to occur with every activity, unless treated by a doctor.
Warming up before any physical activity will help reduce the risk of injury. For golf, it also reduces the risk of damaging soft tissues. Make sure your muscles are loosened up by stretching before every golf game. Use your clubs to help you stretch, too. Hold a club with two hands and pull it behind you neck. Pull the club from one side to the other to help stretch your arms and sides. Also, hold the club behind your neck and hang your arms over the ends. Gently twist from side to side to stretch your lower back. It is also important to stretch your hips and hamstrings to enhance your movement and performance.
If you sustain a lower back injury, the best course of action for treatment is suspending your golf activities. During this break, stretching and low impact exercises are good tools to help your back recover. Ice and heat compresses will help reduce pain within the first 24 hours of an injury. Utilize over-the-counter medications to help with pain and inflammation. If your injury is still painful the next day, contact a doctor for immediate attention.
Golf is a great activity that you can continue until your later years of life. By stretching and strengthening your muscles, you can reduce your risk of injury.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With four locations and same day appointments, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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