HOW GOLFERS BENEFIT FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Improve your game

Have you ever wondered how chiropractic care can enhance your golf skills? Golfers are exposed to adapting a variety of postures to maximize their accuracy and speed. However, at an attempt to improve their performance, they could be actually hurting themselves.  It is essential to understand the application of elastic energy and proper techniques, while maintaining a healthy posture.

How to reduce chances of injury and improve performance:

Golfing can increase one’s risks of particular injuries, if bodily functions are applied improperly.

When swinging, force should equally be exerted upon shoulders, hips, and spine, followed by a wrist snap. A shorter backswing is beneficial because it contributes to a less extreme spinal rotation, which decreases chances of torsional injuries. Shorter backswings also increase control over the club, the follow through, and the ball. In turn, this application reduces pressure on the lumber spine, or the lower back. Speed is not a risk factor in this case and will not be affected.

Most injuries are created on the go and can be prevented with simple alterations.  Golfers can heed some tips when carrying their bags. When picking it up, it should be kept close to the body, especially in the duration of holding. Trunk twisting should be minimized to avoid displacements within the spine.  Hip and spinal application should match up during movements to lower pressure on them individually. When collecting the ball, a full squat is preferred to merely bending down. The club can be of assistance by providing strength to this motion.

Flexibility is a major component in performance and inversely relates to stress. Regular stretching and spinal flexion/extension increase flexibility and therefore reduce the stress exerted on the body while participating in our favorite sport. Because golf is a unilateral sport, it is recommended that one should take swings in the opposite of the dominant side to balance the spinal torsion.

A warm-up is essential to improve and create an extra physical boost. This simply consists of a quick aerobic activity to trigger the stimulation of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints and allow an increase blood flow to those regions. Stretching is crucial to avoid muscle cramping, tearing, and spinal misalignments.

Common Spinal Injuries from Golf:

Every sport has its risk factors, if precautions are neglected. In golf, most injuries stress the thoracic and lumbar spine and can have serious consequences. Proper medical care and treatments are essential for recovery. Strains of muscles and ligaments are common and require a few weeks to be mended. However, other cases can reach greater complexity.

Golfers often experience bone fractures, particularly if diagnosed with osteoporosis. Weaker bones are more prone to fractures and will not resist if they are stressed or moved improperly.

Spinal Stenosis is a condition caused by the diminishing of spaces that separate vertebrae (spinal bones) and therefore lead to the pinching of nerves between the disks and the vertebrae.  Spinal Stenosis is often times caused when golfers incorrectly move or twist their back, manifesting in displacement of the spinal bones. Spinal Stenosis is treated with spinal adjustments to redirect the positioning of vertebrae.

Degenerative disc disease consists of damaged disks that interfere with nerve roots, resulting in pain. If professional treatment is delayed, it develops into a chronic condition and would possibly require surgery.

Spondylolisthesis describes the displacement of vertebrae, due to ligament laxity, which result in progression of arthritis and degeneration.  It often appears in the lower back and should be treated at once. Surgery may be the optimal treatment if neglected in the beginning stages.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care:

Chiropractic care reduces injury risks and enhances performance. Chiropractors can perform adjustment of the spine and other joints that are out of alignment, thereby enhancing motion.  Regular adjustments maximize physical potential by stabilizing the spine, acquiring strength, balance, and stability. Hence golfer are able use this to their benefit in improving their game.

A golfer’s performance greatly relies on their nutrition intake. Chiropractors provide necessary information that help athletes decide on their choices of consumption. Most golfers use supplements that reduce or prevent inflammation due to constant spinal movement. A vegetable rich diet is beneficial because of its high content of nutrients, which act as anti-flammatories.  A diet with omega 3-fatty acids will strengthen the connective tissue. It is very important to keep the body hydrated with enough water.  Usually about ½ your weight in ounces is what is recommended.  Chiropractic doctors also provide custom made orthotics which will correct the foundation of the body-the feet.  Orthotics stabilize the ankles, knees, hips, low back, as well as the feet, all of which are used by golfers.

Chiropractic doctors demonstrate healthy movements and assure proper applications of biomechanics. Chiropractors aid golfers in attaining greater accuracy and improving their performance, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.