Can a Chiropractor Help Your Golf Game?
By Randi Morse
Golf is one of those sports that anyone, no matter their fitness level, can enjoy. My grandparents have always been golf aficionados, but until I was an adult, I didn't understand how people could enjoy chasing a small ball around a course. Now that I play golf regularly, I can say that I completely understand how golf can get addicting. When I started playing, I was told constantly that golf is a mental game, a psychological challenge you give yourself. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a psychological side to golf, but your body takes a beating during the game as well.
Serious Force
If you pay close attention when someone is swinging a golf club, you'll see that it takes a complete range of motion in order to get that little ball sailing across the course. Every joint in the back is involved and the compressive force that the swing puts on your spine can be up to 10 times your body weight. What this means is that if you plan on playing golf regularly, you will need to have a small amount of fitness and conditioning to help avoid injury. If you don't keep your golf swing perfect, you may wind up with some spinal "misalignments" in your back.
What You Can Do
If you are looking to enjoy Sunday afternoons out on the golf course without having to worry about injury, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure you are swinging your club correctly. It's never a bad idea to ask one of the pros at your local golf club to evaluate your swing. They will be able to tell you what adjustments you can make to lessen the possibility of injury. Next, it's a good idea to visit your local chiropractor if you plan on playing regularly. Because of the extreme twisting motion that occurs playing golf, especially during those long drives, the spine is much more likely to have alignment issues. Regularly scheduled appointments with your chiropractor, however, will keep your spine healthy and well-aligned.
If you start feeling any sort of pain in your back, it's a good idea to visit your chiropractor. These small twinges of pain could be the beginning symptoms of something much more serious. If you seek evaluation and treatment immediately, the likelihood of the problem becoming serious decreases dramatically.
The winter months may put a damper on serious golf game, but it's also the perfect time to get your body, and your spine, in perfect health so that you're ready for the course the moment warm weather hits.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sacramento, Calif.