Back Pain Could Be A Golfer's Biggest Handicap

No doubt golf is the number
one recreational sport for many throughout Northern California, but it's
not without risk. Well-known professionals such as Tiger Woods and Jack
Nicklaus have suffered back pain while playing, and amateur golfers in
Northern California are also at risk for back injury as many dust off their
clubs and head back onto the green this spring.


Back pain is among the most common athletic injuries. "Professional
golfers tend to develop low back pain from overuse. Amateurs usually
develop back pain from sporadic play, a bad swing and an overall poor level
of physical fitness," said Andrew Fox, M.D. of the Sutter Neuroscience
Medical Group.


According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke, Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on treating lower
back pain. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and a
leading contributor to missed work. In fact, the group says back pain is
the second most common neurological ailment in the United States -- only
headache is more common.


"As with so many health conditions, minor preventive measures can go a
long way to avoid injury and pain," said Dr. Fox.


"However, if the pain continues for more than two to six weeks, see
your doctor," concluded Dr. Fox.


Get Golf Fit


-- Warm-up
"One sure way to wrench your back is to go directly to the tee, pull
out your driver, and try and hit the cover off the ball," said Dr. Fox.
Warm-up stretches and easy swings will get muscles ready for the game.


-- Perfect your swing
"It may be easier said than done, but developing an easy, fluid swing
will not only help your game, it will also help your back," said Dr.
Fox. In a proper swing, the shoulder, hip, chest and back all work
together to generate power. Sharing the load also prevents injury.


-- Let's get physical
Improving flexibility and an overall level of physical fitness is one
of the best ways to avoid low back pain. "The better shape you're in,
the less likely you are to injure your back."


-- Golf bag blunders
"Repeatedly bending over to pick up a golf bag can stress the low back
and lead to muscle strain. A standing golf bag can eliminate the need
to bend over," said Dr. Fox. Use a golf bag with wheels or dual straps
to evenly divide the weight across the back. It will reduce the chances
of developing low back pain from an uneven load.


About Sutter Health


Sutter Health is a family of not-for-profit hospitals, physician
organizations and other medical services that share resources and expertise
to advance health care quality. Serving more than 100 communities in
Northern California, Sutter Health is a regional leader in cardiac care,
cancer treatment, orthopedics, obstetrics, and newborn intensive care, and
is a pioneer in advanced patient safety technology. For more information,
visit sutterhealth.


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