How To Avoid Back Pain Caused By Golfing
Author: Robert Partain
We all know that golf is not a contact sport, but that
doesn't
mean we can't hurt ourselves while playing it. I would
imagine
that many (if not most) long-time players have had back pain
due
to playing at some time or another. I know I have!
For me, personally, my adventures with back pain were caused
by
not warming up properly before taking that first big swing.
This
is why it's important to do some stretching before you begin
play. Cold muscles do not like being twisted, which is
exactly
what happens when you swing that club.
If you have back pain often while playing, you should visit
a
doctor before it gets any worse, and it truly might do just
that. You may have a stress fracture or you may need to use
a
brace in the future. Chronic back pain needs professional
assessments.
For other players, one of the best avenues for finding good
stretching activities is the Internet. There are literally
dozens upon dozens of good, reliable sources to help you get
the
most effective warm up before play. But do keep in mind that
you
(the individual) will determine the proper warm up. What I
mean
by that is that older players will need a warm up that is
less
strenous than one designed for younger players. One warm up
activity will not fit all players. You need to determine
which
is best for you and stick to that one.
Your overall level of flexibility is another issue that
should
not be ignored. Flexibility and range of motion go
hand-in-hand,
and range of motion is a key element to hitting your best
shots.
If your arms or shoulders or neck are stiff, you will not be
able to flow through the shot fully, thus reducing your
distance
and perhaps causing injury to yourself.
For best results, flexibility exercises should be done not
just
at the course before play but also at home. You can find a
good
regime to follow on the Internet or at the library and most
of
these can be completed within a half-hour or so.
Keeping your muscles and joints (especially the back
muscles)
loose and fit will help considerably in avoiding back pain
associated with playing golf.
However, if your back pain is chronic or if it's severe see
a
doctor asap. You may have done more damage to yourself than
you
realize.
About the Author
Robert Partain has been an avid golfer for over 40 years. He
publishes a golf blog that is updated 4 times a week with free golf tips,
techniques, and information.
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