FOOOORRRREEE! Golf and chiropractic

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Since Tiger broke onto to the scene what now seems like a lifetime ago, the popularity of golf is growing. Well as more people start to "swing the wrenches" the incident of "wrenching" you back has also gone up (everyone see my lame joke).  Many of us who are amateur golfers don't take the proper time to warm up, we grab our sticks out of the car and run to the first tee as our buddies are calling us on our phones.  This is the John Daly method of golf no warm up just grip it and rip it.  Well as with other actives with out a proper warm-up we can do more harm than good.


Dr Tom La Fountain is a chiropractor who travels with the PGA tour and regularly provides chiropractic to the pros.  Dr La Fountain reports that up to 85 percent of the injuries on the PGA Tour and Senior Tour relate to the spine, and about 70 to 75 percent of those golfers received regular chiropractic care.  The August 21, 2000 issue of the Salt Lake Tribune reported that senior pro golfer, Doug Tewell was delayed entering the Senior PGA tour due to spinal problems.  Twell injured his back while playing a round of golf whit his son in Oklahoma.  The injury kept him in bed for three days and required the use of a walker for two week. On the recommendation of below pro Bob Tway, Twell decided to see a chiropractor.  His comments in the Tribune article summed up his reactions, "the most incredible thing, just a few little jerks," Tewell said.  "I thought I had met Oral Roberts."  Professional women golfers also utilize chiropractic.  Dr David E Stude, a chiropractor and associate professor and faculty clinician at Northwestern Health Sciences University, lectures across the country with Lisa Masters, an LPGA  golf pro, emphasizing the importance of chiropractic care for golfers.  Dr Stude states, "Normally, each vertebra in the spine mods indecently a certain number of degrees when our whole body is in involved in an activity.  If that isn not happening, for example, if two or more segments move as a whole unit, rather than moving independently, it can lead to one kind of vertebral mechanical dysfunction."

Some quick tips to help you not feel like guy in the foursome ahead of you.

• Improve the entire body's balance, stability and coordination, which translates into a smoother swing and reduced fatigue.  (stretch, and work out away from the course)
• Avoid metal spikes (most course haven't allowed these since the '90's).  If you are using metal spikes first its time to upgrade your shoes, second metal spikes increase stress on the back.  While soft spikes allow for greater motion.
• Warm up before each round.   I know we all want to be like John Daily and just smoke heaters and drink Diet Coke right before we tee off but this is terrible for you and your game.  Stretching before and after 18 holes is the best way to reduce post-game stiffness and soreness.  
• Pull don't carry your bag, even better ride.  Carrying your bad if you don't have a double strap cause disc and nerve irritation on one side of the body as well as compression of the vertebrae.  Make sure while you are riding to walk to one shot per hole.
• Keep your entire body involved.  Most if not all of us are not switch hitters with a golf club, every third hole on the tee box take some practice swings with your opposite hand.  This will keep your muscles balanced and even out stress on the back
• DRINK LOTS OF WATER.  Dehydration can cause fatigue. leading you to compensate by adjusting your swing, thus increasing your chances for injury.  Have a couple cans of "swing right"/"adult pops" can dehydrate you even further.  This is why course put out water stations, please use them.

Now remember a bad day at the golf course is better than a good day any where else.

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