 The
Golfer's Edge
If
it’s right for Tiger, chances are its right for you. He
says that lifting weights and visiting his chiropractor
regularly have made him a better golfer. His
chiropractic care is as important to him as practicing
his swing!
According to the August 2000 issue of the Journal of the
American Chiropractic Association (JACA), both
professional and amateur golfers have learned that a
chiropractor can help prepare them physically for their
best game of golf and can get them back on the links
quickly when an injury occurs.
Tom
La Fountain, DC, DABCO, has toured with the PGA for the
past five years, traveling and working out of a modern,
mobile medical unit with physical therapists, orthopedic
surgeons, a dermatologist, and an ophthalmologist. He
says that up to 85% of the injuries on the PGA Tour and
Senior Tour relate to the spine. In fact, most
professional golfers receive regular chiropractic care.
In my
practice, I have found that golfer’s usually go until
they hurt, then seek my help and want to get back in
action quickly. It’s not unusual for a patient to come
in bent over and can hardly move and say “Doc, you’ve
got to help me; I’m in a tournament this weekend!” Many
of my patients who play golf are obsessive about it
injured or not.
When
injuries occur to the spine, the spinal bones get out of
alignment causing pressure on the delicate spinal
nerves, this is called a subluxation. If the pressure
is on a pain sensing nerve, it will cause back pain.
Only 9% of the nerves that exit the spinal column are
pain sensing, so very often you could have a spinal
subluxation and not know it. That’s why when doing
something inconsequential, like picking up a golf ball;
you can get immediate and extreme pain. The golf swing
itself puts tremendous amounts of pressure on the spine,
that’s why it is very important to keep fit and your
spine healthy.
The
Chiropractor uses carefully directed and controlled
pressure to restore spinal bones to a more normal
position, this is called an adjustment. This natural,
safe and effective healing method removes the
subluxation, getting the pressure off the nerve and
improves the joint function. Chiropractic care helps
players play better and feel better. Patients will also
experience increased motion and flexibility.
Chiropractors will also prescribe exercises to improve
flexibility and physical fitness. Many help patients
with a diet program, as well, to help them reach peek
shape.
Chiropractors are experts specially trained to treat
these common injuries affecting golfers. Chiropractic
College is a 4 year commitment after the undergraduate
requirements are satisfied. A Doctor of Chiropractic has
the same amount of schooling as your family medical
doctor. They pass rigorous board examinations and state
licensing. Ongoing post graduate education is also
required on a yearly basis.
I’m
often asked by patients, “Can chiropractic help improve
my golf game?” My answer is “We will not be able to fix
your swing alignment, but we can help your spine.”
Although any person who works hard at getting in good
shape and increases their flexibility will see an
improvement, I can’t lower their score from 112 to 70
overnight. I took up golf a few years back and
understand how difficult it can be. I find that
patients under regular care, feel better, play better
and have more fun. Lessons, practice and regular
chiropractic care are what the doctor orders.
Not
only can Chiropractic care help you feel and play
better, it can also help in preventing injuries in the
first place. The best treatment for injury is
prevention.
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