No pain, all gain on the golf course
No pain, all gain on the golf course
Chiropractors' program aims to prevent spasms, sprains, strains
Aug 1, 2008
VINCENT MAN, THE DAILY PRESS
Clubbing a little white ball on to a small patch of grass isn't the easiest thing in the world.
It isn't any easier when you're in pain.
After treating a number of golf-related injuries over the years, the Ontario Chiropractic Association has developed "Get in the Game Without the Pain," an initiative preaching the importance of stretching when it comes to the game of golf.
Integrated Health Solutions chiropractor Dr. Merv Russell said that a golfer fails to stretch before a round of golf has an increased chance of suffering from high scores and painful injuries.
"As chiropractors, we started noticing that a lot of golfers early in the season don't do any stretches, don't do anything when they get out there and haven't golfed or done any exercising all winter," Russell said. "They go out there and try to kill the ball and improve their game without warming up, leading to sprains and strains and common injuries we see in our office.
"Most of the time it isn't anything serious, but it can throw off your golf game and discourage the individual from continuing golfing."
The most common physical setbacks occur in the back, neck and shoulders, Russell said, which are generally cleared after six to eight visits to the chiropractor. Though the injuries are generally on the upper body, the legs need to be stretched as well.
"Most of the time, golfing entails upper body as well as lower body (activity)," he said. "It's a combination in the swing so you need to use your lower back, upper back, as well as your shoulders and your neck. So if you can stretch these muscles, and of course your legs ... It should keep your body more flexible allowing for a better swing."
"Get in the Game without the Pain" advises golfers to loosen up before a day of golf with a series of eight simple stretches. The series includes squats and a side-bending stretch in which the golfer holds a club above his head and slowly bends to the sides.
Though preventing injuries on the links is at the forefront of the program, golfers with chronic pains can benefit as well.
Avid golfer Joe Lemaire suffered a work-related injury 10 years ago and found it agonizing at the time to swing the club.
"It just hurts," he said. "It's like a burning sensation. Like a massive lump in one spot."
The heavy-equipment mechanic suffers from a lingering soreness in the shoulder blade area, but he has learned to take time and stretch when hitting the greens.
"The stretches are very important," Lemaire said. "On a scale from one to 10, it's a 10.
"They help you to loosen up your limbs and muscles so when you are swinging the club, your body is more relaxed. It softens the tissue up for you to rotate your body."
Lemaire, 50, who is a member at Hollinger Golf Course, golfs at least three times a week. Before each round, he said he never forgets to follow the stretches outlined in "Get in the Game Without the Pain."
"It doesn't take long to do these stretches," he said.
"In 10 minutes you can be through them. It's all done slowly. The slower you do the stretching, the easier it is on your body and the less chance you have of getting hurt."
Compared to high-impact sports such as hockey and football, golf may not yield many torturing injuries, Russell said. Because of that, some duffers scoff at the notion of stretching. "I think any athlete realizes the
importance of stretching before they do anything," he said. "If most golfers take their golf seriously, it would be much easier for us and much more beneficial to the golfers."
"Get in the Game without the Pain" also suggests golfers get an appropriate fit for their clubs, pushing or pulling their golf bags rather than carrying them and taking lessons for proper technique. More information can be found at Ontario Chiropractic Association's website, www.chiropractic.on.ca.
Following the instructions of the program can save a golfer's game and time, said Russell.
"It's better than a trip to the chiropractor's office."
Article ID# 1140024
© 2008 , Osprey Media
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