The nice weather has finally arrived in Metro Atlanta and many people are ready to get outside and play a round of golf at one of our great local courses. I love to play golf and as an orthopaedic spine surgeon, I see many patients who suffer from back pain that keeps them from playing the game they love. I have put together a few tips and a video to help you decrease your risk for low back pain and help keep you out on the course.
Warm Up
Many people don't think about golf as a sport that requires a warm up before hitting the links. However, because of the motion required by the body to play golf, it is important to take a few minutes to warm up. This will allow your muscles to relax and help them become accustomed to the motions they will be performing. This is important for your low back which takes the brunt of the stress when you tee off each hole. Check out our BackTalk video and see some easy stretches that will take only a few minutes to do before you begin your day of golf.
Proper Golf Posture
Many of
us have gotten the advice over the years to stand up straight and maintain good
posture. That advice comes in handy for
our golf game too because the low back is especially susceptible to injuries
from improper posture. By maintaining a
proper stance, it will help you avoid an awkward golf swing and unnecessary
twisting of the spine and small muscles that support it. If you adopt the correct stance when taking
your swing, you'll be less likely to hurt your back, and you'll have better
luck keeping your ball on the fairway.
Work on Your Swing
The
perfect swing takes work to achieve, and unfortunately, an improper golf swing
can cause low back pain. Many golfers make the mistake of swinging too
hard, which can cause you to pull the muscles in your low back. Taking the time to perfect your swing can
help lower your risk for low back pain and keep you out on the course.
I hope
these tips, along with the video, help you to decrease your low back pain and
keep you out on your favorite golf courses.
If you find yourself experiencing back pain that is keeping you off the
links, the physicians at Resurgens Spine Center are here to help you get back
to your game.