Chiropractic
Help Your Spine and YourGolf Score
Dr Jemal Khan,
Chiropractor
Few sports have enjoyed the massive surgein amateur participation as golf has in recent years. Golf injuriesare surprisingly common considering the non-contact nature ofthe game.
Ask your chiropractor about the specificsof a more appropriate golf swing, and get the facts on how animproper swing can place unnecessary stress on your low back andspine.
There are three fundamental causes of golfinjuries: poor posture, lack of flexibility and poor swing mechanics.The root cause of poor mechanics is often a result of a physicalrestriction or mechanical dysfunction, which may be alleviatedthrough chiropractic procedures.
Lack of flexibility can also be addressedby treatment and a prescribed stretching program specificallydesigned around each patient's restrictions by his or her chiropractor.Obviously, chiropractic care is ideally suited to deal with poorposture.
Chiropractors are the perfect choice toevaluate, educate, treat, condition and train golfers. In TheGolf Biomechanics Manual, Paul Chek writes:
"Amateur golfers achieve approximately90 percent of their peak muscular activity when driving a golfball.
This is the same intensity as picking upa weight that can only be lifted four times before total fatigue.
This level of exertion and muscular activationequates golf with such sports as football, hockey and martialarts. The difference is that other athletes outside of golf includeconditioning as an integral part of their preparation before play."
Very few golfers attempt any conditioningat all. Is it any wonder there are so many golf-related injuries?The golf swing requires the spine to rotate, bend laterally andextend. This requires flexibility that is golf-specific and conditioningthat is golf specific.
There are several avenues of care that chiropractorsoffer golfers, including spinal adjustments, preventive swingadvice, rehabilitation exercises and anti-inflammatory nutrition.Chiropractic spinal adjustments are known to be effective in reducingpain and improving spinal mobility.
The true source of power generation in thegolf swing involves the creation of elastic energy, which is thoughtto be the power generator for most athletic maneuvers.
Briefly stated, elastic energy is createdby imparting a short, quick stretch on the muscles involved inperforming a particular movement. In the case of the golf swing,it is generally thought that the back, chest and shoulder musclesare the "power muscles," as well as the muscles of thearm and forearm.
To effectively pre-stretch these muscles,no spinal rotation is needed. This means that golfers can reducespinal rotation during the back-swing to lessen the chance ofinjury without sacrificing power.
Following your chiropractor's advice canhelp you avoid injury... and it may even make you a better golfer.
Dr. Jemal Khan,
Chiropractor
Cayman Chiropractic Clinic