| Golf with a Bad Back |
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Off the Course
No matter how dedicated a golfer is, he/she
still spends more waking hours off the golf course than on.
Therefore, it is of even greater importance to protect one’s
back during the balance of one’s daily activities. So,
while not playing golf:
- It is essential to utilize proper body
mechanics in sitting, getting in and out of beds and cars,
lifting, shopping, and performing manual tasks. Instruction
by a therapist in a group setting known as a “back
school” is vital if the golfer has had recurrent back
episodes. Alternatively, therapists who specialize in body
mechanics and postural awareness can be of help in a one-on-one
setting.
- It is important to arrange your house
and office to minimize repeated bending and twisting. Proper
supportive seating in the home or office setting is also
crucial.
- Although not normally emphasized, it
is important for regular golfers, as for the rest of the
human race, to exercise regularly. Specifically, gentle
back extension (arching), trunk strengthening and stabilization,
and general endurance promote reduction of stress forces
to the spine itself. Golfers particularly should avoid full
sit-ups, repeated toe touches, trunk rotation, and lifting
weights out in front of the body.
Persistent or Severe Pain
Of course, if back pain persists for more
than three to four weeks despite the above measures, or if
the golfer has associated leg pain, numbness, or weakness,
consultation with a physician is in order. The overwhelming
majority of back problems are of a benign nature and are manageable
through non-surgical means. Effective treatment depends upon
accurate diagnosis by a physician with expertise in management
of back disorders. Often the diagnosis can be arrived at without
need for expensive testing. The rule is that several sessions
of therapy focusing on relief of acute pain and attending
to improvement in conditioning and proper mechanics will resolve
the person’s complaints. The vast majority of people
should be able to golf without significant discomfort, if
these measures are taken. |
