Understanding the relationship between golf and chiropractic care.

As you may know, Golf is an extremely difficult and challenging sport. Many golfers feel the psychological component of golf is their greatest challenge and undervalue the biomechanics and conditioning that are required to play the game well. This is a mistake. Many don’t know that during the golf swing up to 10x’s a person’s body weight is thrusted upon the spine. (1) The importance of chiropractic care in golf is such that the PGA has contracted teams of chiropractors to be present before, during and after each event. Professional golfers such as Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington, and Fred Funk have their own teams of doctors they use on a regular basis.

Padraig Harrington, winner of three major championships including two British Open Championships and a PGA Championship, is a big supporter of chiropractic. He says, “One thing I know through experience is that I need to keep seeing my chiropractor, even when I have a few weeks off from golf. Getting on-going chiropractic care helps me to stay injury-free. It also helps me to deal with symptoms when they begin, so that they don’t turn into bigger injuries down the road.” Fred Funk, one of the oldest players to be in the top 50 of Official World Golf Rankings, said, “I do believe chiropractic care has really benefited my game. Over the last three years, I feel I have become more exposed to, and knowledgeable about, the benefits of chiropractic for me and my game. I realize how your body can get out of balance, and chiropractic care helps me”. (2)

Golfers who employ chiropractic care will experience fewer injuries, perform better, and achieve greater results. This is achieved through a focus on and correction of spinal misalignments that cause nerve interference. Without your nervous system at 100%, you cannot perform. The number one barrier to improved performance on the golf course is the physical fitness and conditioning of the person swinging the club. If you can improve your golf-specific flexibility and golf-specific stability, you can become a more powerful and more consistent golfer. Consistent adjustments can avoid injuries in the first place. Golfing, or any activity, is more enjoyable and causes less chance of injury if an individual’s body is in top condition and operating normally. Periodic chiropractic adjustments keep the body functioning at maximum capacity, and reduce the chances of being injured. If the neck and back are aligned correctly, awkward positioning such as a golf swing will have a less negative impact. (3) Chiropractic evaluation considers the body-as-a-whole. By treating the entire body, it promotes quicker healing of the injury. A chiropractic treatment schedule keeps the body flexible and strong, and working in optimum fashion. This prevents injuries and increases the chances of playing the game of your life. Golfers need to realize the sport can cause serious injuries just like “rougher” sports like football and rugby. It’s a good idea to stretch before playing, stay hydrated, and avoid overexertion.

Take for example how Chiropractic care can have a direct impact treating Golfer’s Elbow. A condition which causes a mild to significant pain on the inner area of the elbow. It occurs when the repetitive motion of golf leads to damage to the tendons and muscles in the area. here are many uncomfortable symptoms that can occur with golfer’s elbow.

Symptoms that may occur with Golfer’s Elbow:

1. Tenderness and pain that may extend down into the forearm
2. Weakness in the wrists and hands
3. Stiffness in the elbow joint
4. Tingling and numbness that radiates into the fingers, especially the pinky finger and ring finger (4)

Your Chiropractor may use one of several treatment options:

1. Micro current: Using a mild electrical current to reduce pain and inflammation at the injury site.
2. Muscle release therapy: Since muscle and tendon damage is the root of this condition, it is important to focus on them. This treatment help to alleviate contracted issues and inflammation. It breaks up tightness with direct pressure on adhesions while performing passive or active stretching movements.
3. Adjusting: While adjustments are most common for back and neck issues, this popular chiropractic technique also helps with golfer’s elbow. The purpose is to decrease pain, optimize elbow function and restore movement by loosening the elbow joint. Your chiropractor may do adjustments right at the site of the injured elbow, as well as on the spine to achieve results.

Golf is a great way to relax, enjoy an afternoon with friends and get some exercise. None of these benefits can occur if you are suffering from unneeded pain. You chiropractor has any number of options to treat any discomfort that may arise from playing golf. Anyone, from the top professional to the newest amateur can learn to play and enjoy the game of golf. Only, if they are healthy and chiropractic care is an excellent choice to stay healthy.

1 Mark Crawford. (2016). Chiropractic and Golf — A Winning Combination. Retrieved on February 15, 2017 from: https://www.acatoday.org/News-Publications/ACA-News-Archive/ArtMID/5721/ArticleID/33/Chiropractic-and-Golf-%E2%80%94-A-Winning-Combination
2 www.discoverchiropracticwa.com. (2016). Look-who-else-uses-chiropractic-professional-golfers. Retrieved on February 16, 2017 from: http://www.discoverchiropracticwa.com/look-who-else-uses-chiropractic-professional-golfers.html
3 Align: Chiropractic and Wellness. (2015). How Golfers Can Benefit From Chiropractic Care. Retrieved on February 17, 2017 from: http://www.acwtempe.com/how-golfers-can-benefit-from-chiropractic-care
4 Wellness Choice. (2017). Chiropractic Treatment Methods for Golfer’s Elbow. Retrieved on 16 February 2017, from: http://wellnesschoice.com/chiropractic-treatment-methods-for-golfers-elbow/