Improve Your Golf Game, Save Your Back

By Dr. Carolyn A. Griffin, D.C.

An onlooker may assume that the never-ending quest to put a little white ball into the cup takes little athleticism compared to other sports such as tennis or football.

Not true.  Many avid golfers contort their bodies into oddly twisted postures, generating a great deal of torque –the twisting force that opens a bottle cap –on the back.  Couple this motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 90 to 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you’ve got a good workout –and a recipe for potential lower back trouble.

Here are a few tips to help protect your back and improve your game:

Ø      Purchase equipment that fits. Don’t try to adapt your swing to the wrong clubs:  A six-footer playing with irons designed for someone five inches shorter is begging for back trouble.

Ø      Pull, don’t carry, your golf bag. Carrying a heavy bag for 18 holes can cause the spine to shrink, leading to disc problems and nerve irritation.

Ø      Take the “drop.” One bad swing –striking a root or a rock with your club –can damage a wrist.  If unsure whether you can get a clean swing, take the drop.

Ø      Chiropractic Care Can Help. If you continue to experience pain or discomfort after making these adjustments to your golf game, come by my office for a spinal evaluation.  We’re happy to help!

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Back to Health Chiropractic Center
18934 Soledad Canyon Road, Suite A
Canyon Country, CA 91351
661-250-1517