With over 25 million people participating each year, it comes as no surprise that golf is one of the most common recreational sports played in America. What may come as a surprise is that more than 36% of novice golfers and a staggering 63% of serious golfers are playing with an injury or pain related to the low back. Surely these people would prefer to hit the links rather than nurse their back pain!
We’re glad you asked. One contributing factor to this common complaint is actually the most important aspect of the sport — the golf swing. The repetitive motion and asymmetric nature of the golf swing places added stress on the lower back, leading to serious issues over time.
Picture a golf swing: the body is aligned with the ball, the club is drawn backward with one elbow staying straight and another bending at a 90 degree angle, the hips and back rotate, and the wrists are cocked. No wonder golfers experience back pain — a golf swing places the body in an unnatural form with a high propensity for mistakes. If your form isn’t perfect each time, you’re putting your back at risk.
“There’s a lot to think about when swinging a golf club – keep your arms straight, bend the elbow, rotate your back, mind the wrist action – it’s easy to make a mistake when you’re tired and your strokes are adding up,” says Dr. Colin Haines, Spine Surgeon at Virginia Spine Institute. “Unfortunately, consistently breaking form not only tanks your score, but it can lead to muscle strains and more serious conditions such as disc herniations.”
If you are experiencing nagging back pain from an injury, be sure to see a specialist to get to the root of that discomfort. Don’t delay! Click here to schedule or call us today at 703.991.7362.
Virginia Spine Institute’s reputation is unmatched as a world-renowned luxury destination in spinal healthcare, dedicated to providing an elevated level of concierge care for those suffering from neck and back conditions. For three decades, their proven methods have led them to dramatically improving the quality of life for over 100,000 patients, from 32 countries.
People seek care from Virginia Spine Institute because of their elite team of board-certified spine-specialized physicians offering unique approaches to safe and effective back and neck pain relief. As one of the few centers that begin treatment with non-surgical options before recommending surgery, 90% of their patients get better without spine surgery. Through a comprehensive model, Virginia Spine Institute is able to offer regenerative medicine, non-operative treatments, minimally-invasive spine surgery, and physical therapy through their team of spine specialists.
The team’s dedication to detail and patient success is a shining light in the field of spinal healthcare. As pioneers and leaders in this field, they have also accomplished many of the world’s firsts in spine surgery by using modern treatments and cutting-edge technology not offered anywhere else.