If you follow professional golf at all, you know that one of the biggest golf stories of the year has been Tiger Woods’ back. The once most dominant player in the world has fallen victim to lower back pain that has severely limited his 2014 season. Following surgery in March, Tiger returned to the course two weeks ago, only to suffer another lower back injury. What most don’t know is that this most recent injury has been treated by a chiropractor, and that the vast majority of golfers on the PGA Tour receive regular chiropractic care.
Soon after his return to competitive golf, Tiger reported that he suffered a new injury to his lower back when attempting to jump into a bunker. Tiger stated that his sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the pelvis, had slipped out of position and “just needed to be put back in.” Sounds like what chiropractors do every day, right?
Tiger has long been a chiropractic proponent. Before even reaching the PGA Tour, as a 17 year old be was quoted “being a chiropractic patient has really helped me a lot. It ‘s as important as practicing my swing.”
Tiger isn’t the only successful golfer on tour that uses chiropractic on a consistent basis. Padraig Harrington, a three time major winner, is also a life long chiropractic patient. “One thing I know from experience is I need to see my chiropractor, even when I take a few weeks off from golf. Getting ongoing chiropractic care keeps me injury free. It also helps me deal with symptoms when they begin, so that they don’t turn into bigger issues down the road.”
The PGA Tour currently employs 16 chiropractors that work every event on the calendar. One chiropractor was even shown on TV during the PGA Championship last week performing an on-course adjustment. The most common issue they treat is lower back pain, but they also help players with neck pain, shoulder, elbow and wrist issues. Tour players believe that consistent adjustments help with lower back issues that might occur due to the rapid torque applied to the lower back during a normal golf swing.
So whether you are a scratch golfer trying to crack the tour or a hacker just trying to break 120, start getting adjusted regularly. Not only can it keep you pain free, it might just lower your handicap.