To the casual observer, golf may not seem like a risky activity. However, most golf enthusiasts know that the sport involves explosive swings, precise positions and motions, and persistent low-impact cardiovascular activity that can take a toll on even the most conditioned athlete. Even novice and occasional golfers can experience acute injury and debilitating pain if they’re not careful. Fortunately, integrative care practices can help you prevent and recover from golf-related injuries.
Types of Golfing Injuries
According to the Golf Channel, the top 10 golf-related injuries include back and neck pain; elbow tendinitis (otherwise known as golfer’s and tennis elbow); hand, finger, and wrist pain; rotator cuff injury; knee and hip injuries; and foot and ankle pain. Although injuries are often the result of mistakes such as poor swing mechanics, not warming up enough, and incorrect grip and setup, they can also be due to rotational stress on the spine as well as overuse of certain joints and muscles — what’s known as repetitive strain injury.
What Is Repetitive Strain Injury?
The Cleveland Clinic defines repetitive strain injury as damage to your muscles, tendons, or nerves caused by repetitive motions and constant use. When you consider this definition, it’s easy to see how avid golfers — who continually work to hone the perfect swing — run the risk of developing chronic problems. Over the long term, repetitive strain injuries can result in potentially serious issues, including stress fractures, ganglion cysts, bursitis, and herniated discs.
How Can Integrative Care Help?
Regardless of whether you’re a pro or novice golfer, integrative care practitioners can help you develop personalized practices to both prevent and recover from injury. Here’s how:
- Yoga can help build stamina and flexibility while strengthening the core muscles that are so critical to a golf swing. Moreover, through breath work, yoga can help develop the calm and focused mind that contribute to game-winning putts.
- Mindfulness is another way to further cultivate mental strength and concentration. By training your mind to focus on the present, mindfulness can help you tune out everyday worries and in-the-moment distractions on the fairway.
- Massage and chiropractic care can help your muscles and joints recover from a long day on the golf course and can treat and repair acute injury.
Ready to develop your customized exercise and treatment plan to help improve your game? SimplaFYI can help. Our vetted practitioners offer discounts to Members. Join today!
This article was written by: Carol Swanson, a health and finance writer. She can be reached at: ceswansoneditorialservices@gmail.com
