If you experience back pain related to playing golf, you are not alone. Over 25 million Americans played golf in 2022, according to the National Golf Foundation, and a 2023 study found that more than 37% of amateur golfers experience back pain.
One of the greatest golfers of all time, Tiger Woods, struggled with back pain that was so severe he would drop to the ground in visible pain while playing. When he finally opted for spinal fusion surgery, it revived his career. You may not play like Tiger Woods, but if your back is suffering as much as your golf game, then it’s time to investigate better options than trying to play through pain.
Cause and Effect
Close to two-thirds of serious golfers play with some form of back discomfort, the result of spending four or more hours bent over and repeating the same motion hundreds of times. I tell my patients that while golf is considered a low-impact sport, a player can suffer injuries—most notably in the lower back. Changing your swing may not help. In fact, it may worsen matters. But continuing to play with lingering back pain can lead to other more serious injuries.
Common causes of lower back pain include muscle strains, arthritis, bone fractures, and herniated discs which—if left untreated—can lead to severe issues, including nerve damage. Herniated discs can occur in the lower back when making the bending or twisting movements associated with a golf swing. Symptoms of a herniated disk vary, but they can include back pain, numbness or tingling, and weakness. They can sometimes cause radiating pain to the buttocks, legs, and feet.
Tips to Stay on Course
One of the most overlooked causes of back pain is the way players lift and carry their clubs. By yanking their golf bags over their shoulder, players can injure themselves before they even set foot on the course. To avoid injury, keep your back straight, use the strength of your legs, and engage your core and glutes to lift and carry your golf bag—using both straps to help divide the weight of the bag evenly across your back.
Other back-saving tips that can keep you in the game include:
• Warming up before playing. This increases the blood flow to your muscles and makes your muscles less susceptible to tears. It also improves your flexibility and increases your range of motion when you swing. Cooling down after a game before jumping into your next activity is as equally important as the warm-up. It allows you to clear out the lactic acid that’s built up in your system while you’ve been playing. Lactic acid build-up can result in muscular pain and fatigue.
• Exercising. Add exercises that stretch and strengthen your back, such as yoga.
• Treatment and rest. To help relieve pain and swelling, I recommend applying ice, followed by heat a few hours later, and rest. If cleared for use by your doctor, anti-inflammatory medications like Advil or Aleve may help.
Whether you swing a club like Tiger Woods or shank the ball into the woods, golfing is a great way to get outdoors and exercise. Remember, a little knowledge and preparation can help keep you in the game.
[White Plains Hospital]
Dr. Andrew Casden is Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and Spine Surgery at White Plains Hospital. He is experienced in both traditional and minimally-invasive spinal surgery. His comprehensive approach to spinal conditions considers each patient’s lifestyle and expectations, and focuses on offering the most appropriate, personalized treatment plan for each patient. Please call 914-849-7897 to make an appointment.
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27 Feb 2024
0 Commentsless pain for your golf game
If you experience back pain related to playing golf, you are not alone. Over 25 million Americans played golf in 2022, according to the National Golf Foundation, and a 2023 study found that more than 37% of amateur golfers experience back pain.
One of the greatest golfers of all time, Tiger Woods, struggled with back pain that was so severe he would drop to the ground in visible pain while playing. When he finally opted for spinal fusion surgery, it revived his career. You may not play like Tiger Woods, but if your back is suffering as much as your golf game, then it’s time to investigate better options than trying to play through pain.
Cause and Effect
Close to two-thirds of serious golfers play with some form of back discomfort, the result of spending four or more hours bent over and repeating the same motion hundreds of times. I tell my patients that while golf is considered a low-impact sport, a player can suffer injuries—most notably in the lower back. Changing your swing may not help. In fact, it may worsen matters. But continuing to play with lingering back pain can lead to other more serious injuries.
Common causes of lower back pain include muscle strains, arthritis, bone fractures, and herniated discs which—if left untreated—can lead to severe issues, including nerve damage. Herniated discs can occur in the lower back when making the bending or twisting movements associated with a golf swing. Symptoms of a herniated disk vary, but they can include back pain, numbness or tingling, and weakness. They can sometimes cause radiating pain to the buttocks, legs, and feet.
Tips to Stay on Course
One of the most overlooked causes of back pain is the way players lift and carry their clubs. By yanking their golf bags over their shoulder, players can injure themselves before they even set foot on the course. To avoid injury, keep your back straight, use the strength of your legs, and engage your core and glutes to lift and carry your golf bag—using both straps to help divide the weight of the bag evenly across your back.
Other back-saving tips that can keep you in the game include:
• Warming up before playing. This increases the blood flow to your muscles and makes your muscles less susceptible to tears. It also improves your flexibility and increases your range of motion when you swing. Cooling down after a game before jumping into your next activity is as equally important as the warm-up. It allows you to clear out the lactic acid that’s built up in your system while you’ve been playing. Lactic acid build-up can result in muscular pain and fatigue.
• Exercising. Add exercises that stretch and strengthen your back, such as yoga.
• Treatment and rest. To help relieve pain and swelling, I recommend applying ice, followed by heat a few hours later, and rest. If cleared for use by your doctor, anti-inflammatory medications like Advil or Aleve may help.
Whether you swing a club like Tiger Woods or shank the ball into the woods, golfing is a great way to get outdoors and exercise. Remember, a little knowledge and preparation can help keep you in the game.
[White Plains Hospital]