3 Common Back Injuries in Golfers

At NSPW we always believe in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle throughout all stages of life. In our years of practice we treat athletes of all levels. For many patients that partake in high intensity sports, regular chiropractic care is essential in order to keep the body at optimum performance. But for sports that can be played well into the elder years,chiropractic may seem like an afterthought.

Golf is an enjoyable (yet simultaneously highly frustrating) game that can be played at all ages. But due to the repetitive nature of golf, the slightest issue can leave you vulnerable to severe injury. That is why chiropractic care can help in keeping you on the course. Here are the 3 most common back injuries suffered by golfers and the corrective treatments we provide to get you back on the course quickly and safely.

Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joints, located between two vertebrae, give your spine the ability to bend and twist. Healthy facet joints have cartilage surrounding them, allowing the vertebrae to slide smoothly against each other during these movements. Facet joint syndrome causes pain between these surfaces, greatly hindering your golfing abilities.

The main cause of facet joint syndrome in golfers is excessive and repetitive movement in a swing. Often the injury is caused by numerous micro-traumas instead of one single major trauma incident. What can start out as a small pain can progress to irritate the joints on either side of the spine, causing pain, swelling, and inflammation. Associated muscle spasms are also common.

Eliminating inflammation and irritation to let the injury settle down is a priority. Physical therapy modalities (electric stimulation, ultrasound, etc.), massage, stretching routines, and a customized physical therapy program that incorporates strength and conditioning will not only restore your original range of motion but will help prevent future injury. We not only want to get you back on the course safely, but we want to make sure you don’t relapse.

Bulging or Herniated Disc

A bulging or herniated disc is one of the common injuries that limits a golfer’s ability to get around a course. This injury can be a serious issue if left untreated. The bones that form the spine (vertebrae) have small flat discs between them that act as shock absorbers. The discs are made up of a tough exterior layer called the annulus that encompasses a soft jelly-like substance called the nucleus. A disc injury occurs when there is a tear in the annulus that allows the nucleus to protrude or bulge out of place.
A disc injury is usually a sign of age as the materials that make up the disc start to degenerate over time. This increased vulnerability coupled with the stress a round of golf can put on a person’s spine make it a common injury for golfers. This can be caused by one major trauma or multiple minor ones. A herniated disc in the lower back (lumbar spine) is more common for golfers due to the transfer of power between the torso to hips needed in a regular golf swing.
Bulging or herniated disc injury symptoms depend on the proximity of the disc to a nerve. If there is no contact, then the patient can potentially experience only minor pain. But if the disc compresses a nearby nerve this can result in moderate to severe pain, numbness, and weakness that can travel through into the limbs. A disc injury can occur at any level of the spine, but typically is most common in the neck or low back.
Every chiropractic treatment plan for a bulging or herniated discs will be tailored to each individual case. The majority of disc injuries can be treated through physical therapy modalities, massage, rehab, spinal manipulation and/or spinal decompression therapy. The spinal decompression technique involves a gentle stretching of the spine that will create a vacuum effect between the vertebrae. This vacuum effect will pull the bulging discs back into its original place.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint is located between the spine and the hip in the buttocks area. The name derives from the two bones it connects, the ilium from the pelvis and the sacrum.
The symptoms of sacroiliac joint (SI Joint) pain can include the following:

• Pain in the lower back
• Pain in the buttocks, hips, groin, and pelvis
• Numbness and weakness in pelvis and legs
• Burning sensation in the pelvis
• Sharp pains radiating down the legs

The sacroiliac joint requires a tremendous amount of stability in order to transfer the load of a downswing from the trunk to the legs upon impact of the ball. If there is a weakness, then the repetitive motion will chip away at this stability and leave the SI joint vulnerable to injury. Like the facet joint, oftentimes the SI joint injury is a result of multiple small incidents as opposed to one major trauma. When the SI joint becomes misaligned or dysfunctional, it can irritate the cartilage between joints which will result in inflammation. This is called Sacroiliitis.
Besides calming the localized pain and inflammation, one of our first steps in tackling sacroiliac joint pain is to realign the joint, which is the source of the problem. This will help correct the issue and decrease the chances of relapse.

Delaying treatment for any injury can result in a prolonged time period away from the golf course. Chiropractic care is a great option as a non-invasive treatment technique. Feel free to contact Dr. Barrett at NSPW with any questions about your individual case.

North Shore Physical Wellness
Dr. Maxwell Barrett
900 Skokie Blvd Ste #204
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-513-6996
www.nsphysicalwellness.com

Dr. Max Barrett and his staff at North Shore Physical Wellness provide a wide array of services to help get you back enjoying life pain free. These include: Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Functional Nutrition and Custom Orthotics.