Compared to other sports, golf may seem like one that is not as physically demanding with only a minimal chance of sustaining injuries. Even though there aren’t many running, jumping, being tackled, or holding your breath, the impact of golf on your joints is significant.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 103,000 golf-related injuries were treated by medical professionals and other medicine providers at a cost of $ 2.4 Billion in 2009 direct and indirect.
Common golf injuries
The most common golf-related injuries are on the wrist, the elbow and the lower back. These are the most important areas to engage when you take a swing at golf. Injuries to the shoulder, neck and knee are also common during golf. This is where golfers most often seek treatment. Soft tissue accounts for more than 80 percent of the golf-related injuries.
Other than pain, golfers might also suffer tenderness or numbness in their arms and hands as well as swelling and inflammation at the elbow. These injuries are called golfer’s elbow.
It is the more experienced players that are more likely to sustain injuries than novices or beginners. Also, more well-acclimatized golfers who play often have few, if any, problems with their elbow. It could also be that experienced golfers know how important it is to properly warm up before playing and are able to correctly position their bodies and take the proper swing.
Treating golf-related injuries
Golfers took varying approaches to treating their injuries. Many golfers simply kept on the fairway, with only a handful seeking medical attention. Untreated injuries could make it difficult to return to play or take up any other strenuous sport.
Treating golf-related injuries through chiropractic
Chiropractic will get hands on, so to speak, on golf-related injuries. Chiropractic, a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the treatment of health problems related to the musculoskeletal and spine by moving the joints. Chiropractic is based on the idea that injuries or misalignments to the spine can lead to health issues that could make you more susceptible for developing illnesses and/or injury.
A chiropractor can treat golf-related injuries. He will treat not just the affected limb, muscle, or joint but also the whole spine. This will help prevent future problems by correcting the body’s alignment, posture, and muscle strength.
There are many methods to treat specific injuries, including massage for knots and tension and whole-body massaging. Other therapies may also be used by chiropractors, such as ultrasounds and electric stimulation. Braces or other inserts can also be applied to maintain the alignment of a muscle or joint.
For the best possible results, chiropractors will take information from patients such as history and daily habits in order to gain a better understanding of their lives. This information will be used by the chiropractor to suggest lifestyle changes, such as changing your exercise or diet routine, and possibly recommending supplements like vitamins and minerals.
Minimizing Golf-Related Injuries
The following recommendations are some tips to manage and prevent golf-related injuries:
-Easing into the sport and not over-exerting when starting or after a long period of rest or not engaging in any physical activities.
Use the correct equipment, such as shoes for golf and support bands to protect the elbows and knees.
To get the ball to as many places as possible, you must swing properly and avoid overusing your wrists.
Avoid hunching too much to increase the risk of straining your neck or shoulders.
Stretching and warming up before you begin to put your hands on the ball is a good idea. This will prevent injuries from sudden strains or exertion of muscles and limbs that are already tight.
Golf is not a difficult sport. However, injuries can occur just like any other physical demanding activity. It doesn’t matter if you play for work or pleasure, it is important to maintain your musculoskeletal health. This is especially true for older players who may already have injuries and conditions that could be worsened by playing on the green. It is the same for people who have been away from it for two or more months.