Why Chiropractic Care, Spinal Decompression, & PEMF Therapy Are Great Choices For Golf Injuries
“Did I swing too hard on that last shot?” “Am I over-rotating my lower back?” “If I pull this club back any further is it going to cause more damage?” Many thoughts can go through a person’s head when they are out on the course and start to feel the aches and pain that come along with golf. To the average person the game of golf does not seem like much of a sport. The majority of people who take up the game do not look like they will be on the cover of Men’s Fitness anytime soon.
When it comes to human biomechanics, the golf swing is the most dramatic of all of the sports with club head speeds averaging over 120 miles per hour. There are a lot of injuries that occur due to the stress and strain that is placed on the body if it is not properly taken care of and the important part is to catch it before it becomes a problem.
Golf Injuries: Mechanical Back Pain
By far the most common of all golf injuries that plagues more than 70% of people who decide to take up the game. Sometimes the pain can be caused by a poor shot that halts the velocity of the golf swing stopping you in your tracks but more often than not it is from improper swing mechanics.
I believe that a person should only swing what his or her body is capable of performing. Tightness or restrictions in the middle back and pelvis are the two main reasons that cause back pain. Muscle imbalances due to poor swing mechanics over time leads to poor movements along the spine eventually causing nerve irritation and pain.
If these problems continue to worsen over time when the discs (pads between the spine) can bulge or herniate leading to excruciating pain that can be felt in the back or even in the legs. Professional golfers like Tiger Woods, Jason Day and Kevin Chappell have all fallen victim to disc injuries from playing golf that required surgery. So, this shows you that even the best people in the game with amazing swings can still incur injuries. Do your best to not ignore symptoms in the lower back or middle back and just say that they are “mostly muscular”.
The best method of treatment for all of the wear and tear on the spine is with a proper chiropractic evaluation and adjustment. Regular chiropractic care is the best way to assure that you can not only prevent injury but also spend less time away from the course. Decompression therapy will allow for better blood flow and hydration to the spinal discs. This mode of therapy differs from inversion tables by applying a mechanical force instead of gravity alone to help alleviate disc compression. A well developed stretch routine is also crucial for a good spine. Too many people choose to ignore a warm-up routine prior to playing or hitting balls which can lead to an eventual injury. Other supplemental activity like yoga is helpful in increasing flexibility of the muscles surrounding the spine. If all of these activities are implemented then future golf injuries can become a thing of the past.
Services That Work Best For This Condition
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Chiropractic Care
HEIT Therapy
Spinal Decompression
PEMF Therapy
Golf Injuries: Golfer’s Elbow & Tennis Elbow
Excessive over-swinging and “snapping” of the wrist on the follow through is the usual culprit for these two types of golfing injuries. The majority of golfers are termed “weekend warriors” because they typically spend more than 40-50 hours per week in front of a computer combined with even more time spent on their phones.
This can lead to tension in the wrists and elbows causing muscle or ligament tension resulting in pain. Golfer’s elbow is felt along the inside of the arm whereas tennis elbow is felt on the outside of the forearm. When the symptoms of either of these two injuries begins the best things to do is to slow down the swing speed. This will reduce tension on the joints and increased strain on the tendons that cause elbow pain. If the pain persists during the round or worsens then stop immediately.
It is necessary to give the body adequate rest to help to heal from the injury. Getting the elbow examined and appropriately adjusted can help to prevent further injury. The small tears that occur in the forearm muscle tendons act like a strain. They can be healed with time (on average at least 4-6 weeks with no activity) or be accelerated with a therapy known as PEMF. Known as pulsed electromagnetic field, PEMF helps the body to self heal at the cellular level where the inflammation takes place during injury. Consistent treatment with this type of therapy can aid in faster healing of the tissues that surround the elbow leading to a faster return to the golf course.
Golf Injuries: Rotator Cuff Injury
When the middle and upper back falls victim to weakness over time then rounding of the shoulders will follow. The hunching starts to take place leading to tension in the chest and front of the shoulders. The next thing you hear is a click or crack in the shoulders as the club goes back. As this problem is ignored it is only a matter of time before a muscle in the shoulders begins to strain. Before you know it the muscle tears and it is months before a club can even be touched. Any sound that comes from the shoulders cannot be ignored and should be addressed immediately. The deep stabilizer muscles of the shoulders known as rotator cuffs are very delicate if normal posture of the body is compromised.
A thorough examination by a chiropractor can help to identify the postural imbalances that can cause muscle weakness in the rotator cuff. This is a great pro-active approach to take before an injury occurs in the shoulders. If the injury has already taken place, then rest, rehabilitation and corrective chiropractic care can be the perfect solution to assure the pain is resolved and stays away. PEMF therapy can aid with healing the soft tissues as well and increase the recovery process.
The most important part of playing golf is to listen to the body and know when it needs to rest. By listening to your body and giving it the attention that it needs with chiropractic care, a stretching routine and supplemental therapy like PEMF you can greatly reduce the chances that any injury is going to prevent you from lowering that handicap and spending some fun time out on the links.
Don't continue to suffer with golf injuries and allow them to affect your daily activities and your game.
Let CORE Chiropractic help you get back on track with personalized chiropractic care, spinal decompression, stretching & exercise recommendations, PEMF therapy and a custom treatment plan. Call today for your consultation, or schedule an appointment online.