Chiropractic Care is a Golf Player's Best Buddy

If they weren't a necessary element for such a popular sporting activity, the motions required in a "good" golf swing would certainly be banned by most chiropractic doctors. The recurring, one-sided nature of the golf swing makes it the number one cause for back traumas associated with the game. There are numerous reasons why the golf swing is so troublesome for the physical body, but also very predictable. Initially, the swing needs greater than average flexibility, which the majority of individuals lack. Second, to be exceptional at this sport, it calls for good upright posture, which oftentimes is uncommon in most recreational players. Third, the power move in the golf swing is always one-sided, which causes muscle and joint imbalance leading to trouble.

Versatility and Flexibility for More Energy

Butch Harmon, one of the leading authorities on the golf swing says, in order for golfers to create enough power in their swing, and gain more distance, they’re trained to "feel their arms remaining in-front of the body as they swing through

and turn backward” at the end of their arc.  Todd Anderson, a Golf Digest teaching professional, goes into more detail by discussing how an effective back-swing needs to see "the shoulders starting parallel to the target line and then turning 90 degrees with the hips turning to 45 levels, and then the knees pivoting to 22 degrees” all within less than a second from the time the swing begins.  This means the back-swing will produce a bunch of spinal twist, sheer, torque and loading focused at a few spinal levels.

Compounding this amount of torque with near-maximum acceleration is in the down-swing and this where the problem resides.  This is exactly where disaster waits for those who disregard the importance of good spinal mechanics and spinal hygiene so you can play a good game… whenever you choose.  Duplicating this action 50-70 times per round makes it very hard to remain injury free over the course for a lot of people are decades of golfing enjoyment. 

This kind of motion requires supple adaptability in the spinal column, the shoulders and the hips. To make sure you have the type of flexibility that permits you to take a golf swing, have your chiropractic doctor check the range of motion in your spine, shoulders, hips and knees before a problem occurs.  If you have any sort of restrictions or unusual tightness in these areas, your chiropractic specialist can use specific manual orthopedic adjustments to assist these joints helping them move more completely, improve your performance, and minimize the potential for serious unintended injury.  Your chiropractic specialist may very well recommend stretches and other exercises to keep them moving unrestricted. 

Better Posture for a Better Set-Up

When the golf pro is asked to produce an excellent, repeatable golf swing, one of their jobs is to create an effective set up. This is the golf player's beginning position when addressing or facing the ball. Your posture is of utmost significance right here.  Preserving the natural curves throughout the entire spinal column makes certain that maximum rotation can be achieved in the initial the back-swing and the ending follow through.

To better explain this point, while sitting in your chair, allow your body to slouch.  Then cross your arms in front, putting your hands on top of opposite shoulders.  Now, try to completely twist to the right and then left.  Ask somebody to tell you how far you’re able to turn from side-to-side.  Do this a second time with the only difference, start by sitting upright instead of slouching.  With this second try, you’ll notice how much further you can rotate when you begin with great posture.

What you can do is ask your chiropractic specialist if your lower back has the proper lordotic curve when standing at rest, and when demonstrating the set-up position for your golf swing. If you deal with any difficulties stemming from restrictions or other displacements coming from your spine, then these might be stopping you from achieving an optimal stance and influencing your game.  These are the reasons why you want to be checked periodically.  Because it could very easily be taking 15, 25 or even 45 yards off your very best drives.  Once your problem is corrected, in a handful of visits, you’ll see exactly how much less complicated your game becomes, and how much easier it is to swing your golf club.   

Single Sided Sports Call for Special Attention

 

The amount of physical effort spent by most weekend and amateur golfers when driving a golf ball is close to 90 percent of their peak muscular power. This level of exertion is close to same level of effort used in sports like football, hockey, rowing and martial arts. This amount of explosive physical work, along with the single-sided nature of the swing, requires a lot of special attention. If not careful, over-exertion can easily lead to an acute injury or the build up of stress and strain leading up to an injury.

Chiropractic treatments are helpful and quite reliable to restore the correct biomechanics special to each joint of the body. Preserving effective function allowing for the best game possible is always your job.  When getting ready to play be sure you save enough time for an adequate warm-up period.  Most injuries occur when you’ve not had enough time to stretch short tight muscles, or when you’re tired and the muscles are fatigued unable to withstand the demands put on them.  In addition a regular routine of stabilization exercise training for your core muscles to improve power, strength, coordination, flexibility and balance.  No wonder so many PGA professionals have trainers and chiropractic doctors on tour with them.

Be certain you tell your chiropractic specialist that you’re a golfer so specific focus can be offered to the areas needed to maximize your golf swing and enjoyment.

"Health is the thing that makes you and your companion feel that right now is the finest time of the year!"

Bless and Be Blessed ALWAYS... 

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?rel=author”>Lewis Meltz, D.C., F.A.C.O.