Share:

The recreational golfer strives to possess a swing as fundamentally great as a professional.  The question is, should we prefer a great swing or a great shot?  Most golfers would prefer their ball to intermittently miss the target by a small margin rather than to miss just occasionally by a large margin and leave themselves in trouble.  Unfortunately for many golfers a bad swing and a bad shot can both be caused by back pain and other chronic injuries.

Golfers realize that a healthy musculoskeletal system will allow a smoother swing than attempting one with a condition like low back pain.  In 2002, Lindsay D1Horton J. studied golfers with and without back pain, demonstrating that “golfers with low back pain tended to flex their spines more when addressing the ball and used significantly greater left side bending on the backswing. Golfers with low back pain also had less trunk rotation.”  From the perspective of a chiropractor, the dynamic action of a golf swing combined with these types of postural insufficiencies put a golfer at risk of even greater damage.

Two other important things must be considered.  The first is to realize that a golfer with low back pain should be evaluated by a chiropractor or spinal specialist.  A golfer with a flexed spine during a swing suggests a mechanical or neurological problem may exist.  A bulging disc is just one possibility when making a differential diagnosis.  This study also alerts us to the fact that reduced trunk rotation will significantly reduce power.  The latter is actually the more common reason a golfer, either recreational or professional, would seek professional help from Doctors of Chiropractic, like those at Pure Balance in New York City or the affiliate Pure Balance Center in Clifton, NJ.

Studies show that conditioning the trunk muscles will improve the coordination of the muscle recruitment patterns, maximizing club head speed while maintaining the most accurate ball striking.  It goes above and beyond treating low back pain.  Dr. Michael Magwood is an example of a chiropractor that specializes in neurological based corrections that help the patient get the most out of spinal conditioning and core rehabilitation programs within his IM=X Pilates studios.  

In addition to Clinical Pilates, the Pure Balance office also offers a number of chiropractic and well-being services for families. Call the center at (212) 661-5656 to learn more about their services with locations in the Murray Hill neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan and Clifton, New Jersey.

 

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional advice from your physician or other qualified health provider if you have any questions about a medical condition.

 

tracking