|  |  | | | | Oh, My Aching Back!
By: Dr. Kenneth Light, M.D. |
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Almost every golfer, professional and amateur, has suffered from back pain at some time in their life. Lee Trevino and George Archer have had spinal fusions as a result of herniated discs, while golfers like Freddy Couples, Jack Nicklaus have been bothered from time to time with back spasms. What is the problem?
The offending structure is the intervertebral disc, the cartilaginous shock absorber that separates one vertebrae, or spinal bone, from another. The disc is formed by a covering of obliquely arranged layers of collagen, and a center of gelatinous material composed of muchopolysacharide. As we reach our twenties, the normal aging process causes the gelatinous center of the disc to dry up, rendering the covering of the disc vulnerable to injuring and microscopic tearing.
What does this have to do with the golf swing? The disc is weakest when the back is extended or arched, and the body is rotated. The covering of the disc unwinds and tears with an improper or violent swing. The golf swing is unnatural because it is designed to wind the upper body on the hips and pelvis like a spring on the back swing, and forcefully uncoil it at impact and follow through. Unfortunately, this may cause injury to the disc. |
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| | | | How To Golf Swing Properly To Avoid Back Injury |
| Warm up and stretch adequately before playing. If you have a bad back use the driving range sparingly. Hit only one small bucket of balls a day, because this will concentrate stress on the low back only over a short time interval.
Swing within yourself, particularly during the uncoiling part of your swing. The more fluid swing is likely to bring a positive result anyway! Avoid reverse C position, which renders the covering of the disc most vulnerable to injury.
Stay in balance. Try to keep the shoulders and chest centered over the pelvis. |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | The Spine Network of California is committed to informing the public as to how they can protect their backs and their health. Further information about the network itself may be found here, and we are quite accessable at either trudy@spinenetwork.com or 1-888-673-4575. An appointment can be arranged within 48 hours of your call. The following readings may also be of interest to you: |
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