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Golfing Injuries from Head to Toe

The unique twisting motion of the golf swing can cause injuries from head to toe. Here’s a rundown of some common golf injuries and tips on how to avoid them.

Neck

As you swing, that twisting motion can lead to spasms, chronic neck pain and even pinched nerves. The more you swing, the worse it gets. Warming up with neck exercises before you practice or play will increase strength and flexibility – and reduce your risk of injury.

Shoulders

It’s no surprise that shoulder injuries are common among golfers. Strength training and adjustments to your swing can help you avoid tendonitis, bursitis and rotator cuff injuries. Don’t forget to handle your golf bag with care; just yanking those heavy clubs out of the car can injure your back or shoulder.

Elbows

Golfer’s Elbow is a painful irritation and inflammation of the outer or inner elbow tendon. This can result from repetition – or even from hitting the ground instead of the ball. Moderation is key.  Don’t wait until you feel pain to call it a day.

Wrists and Hands

Wrist and hand injuries are often caused by repetitive movement. Wrist Tendonitis is a common and painful injury which can take months to heal. Learning the proper grip and avoiding long practice sessions can help you avoid wrist and hand injuries.

Back

Back pain is frequently seen in golfers. Whether you’re swinging a golf bag or a golf club, herniated or slipped discs, muscle strain and ligament damage are all “par for the course.” It’s best to schedule a doctor’s visit for any type of back pain. What seems like a minor problem could be an indication of a larger medical problem. Warm ups and strength exercises can help prevent back injuries.

Hip

The pivoting motion of repeated golf swings is hard on the hips and can result in hip injuries similar to rotator cuff tears. Taking time to warm up, and incorporating a regimen of exercises that build strength and flexibility, can help you support the muscles that surround the hip joint and prevent painful and disabling injuries.

Knee

Uneven ground, a poor stance and the stress on your knees during the golf swing can all contribute to knee injuries. Our knees really aren’t designed for the rotation and side-to-side movement required to swing a golf club successfully. To help protect your knees, follow an exercise plan designed to keep the muscles in your hips, lower back, and mid back flexible and also strengthen the muscles around your knee joint.

Ankles and Feet

Ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, swollen feet and blisters are all common golfing injuries. Proper shoes and strengthening exercises will help you stay on your feet without pain or injury.

Take proactive steps to prevent pain and injury

Your swing is everything!

Proper technique will not only improve your game, it can help prevent painful and potentially serious injuries. Without it, the stress you place on your body is likely to lead to discomfort and pain.

Know when to stop! 

Adjusting your technique to “play through the pain”, doesn’t work. You’ll just transfer the same physical stresses to other areas of your body and increase your chances of multiple injuries and even more pain.

More than an ounce of prevention

A regimen of preventative measures like warming up, wearing the right shoes, strength exercises and learning the proper swing technique will help you avoid injuries and concentrate on enjoying the game. Check out these tips from the Mayo Clinic for proactive steps you can take to avoid painful golf injuries.

Know when to call you doctor

As always, you need to “listen” to your body.  Sometimes personal prevention or mediation measures don’t do the trick.  We are always available to answer your questions and if your pain does not improve, or gets worse, you should be in touch with a doctor.  Feel free to reach out HERE if you would like to have your questions answered, or if you need to make an appointment.

Filed Under: Back Pain, Golf Injury, News Tagged With: golf and low back pain, golf injuries, golf injury, golf pain, preventing golf injury, preventing sports injuries

Staying the Course: Preventing and Dealing with Golf Injuries

golfIt seems like such a great idea: summer golf in Michigan. We have weathered through the cold winter and the wet spring and the beautiful, temperate summer is our reward. It’s fun and great exercise and just plain rejuvenating to get out and play 18 holes regularly.

But don’t be fooled. Despite the relaxation that golf at its best can provide, golf can also pose chances for injuries and pain. 

In general, golf injuries are caused by repetitive use, the same thing that causes carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. When golfers repeat the same motion over and over, they can unwittingly put serious stress on the same muscles, joints and tendons, causing injury.

The most prevalent golf injuries are golfer’s elbow and low back pain.

Golfer’s Elbow is also known as medial epicondylitis. Golfer’s elbow is essentially an inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles in your forearm to the inside bone at your elbow. Golfer’s elbow results from overuse of these muscles and tendons, which can lead to pain and soreness at the point of the elbow closest to the body.

You can prevent golfer’s elbow by strengthening these muscles, particularly the muscles in your forearm.  Some easy exercises include squeezing a tennis ball for at least five minutes per hand, and any wrist curling exercises that are weight-bearing.

Low Back Pain is caused by golf swing mechanics that put additional pressure on the muscles in your low back. If you suffer from poor flexibility or weakened muscles in that area, a round of golf can exacerbate that weakness. In addition, you have to be aware of how you’re toting around your golf bag, being sure to lift it appropriately.

You can prevent low back pain by increasing your flexibility and strengthening the muscles in the back and abdomen. Yoga and Pilates could be helpful, as well as basic stretching. Abdominal workouts like crunches also build strength and add to flexibility. Any weight-bearing activities that mimic rowing or pulling down can also add to back strength.

Golfers could also benefit from checking in with a trainer or golf professional to have another person examine their swing, correcting mechanical flaws that could contribute to back problems. Typically, the issues in a swing that should be corrected are poor posture and overswinging.

All golfers should spend time stretching before a round, paying special attention to arms, wrists, back and abdominal muscles. 

Filed Under: Back Pain Tagged With: golf and low back pain, golf injuries

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Mount Pleasant, Michigan
2935 Health Parkway., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

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