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.