Injuries

[Big Sheesh]

I've been golfing for about 3 years now. In the last year I developed a really bad problem with my upper and lower back due to age and lack of warm-up.

I've had really bad muscle spasms that caused my left ribs to become locked up in a position that made it difficult for me to turn left/right. It hurts when I breathe too deep. Each time I visit the physiotherapist he would have to unlock my ribs by popping them. He would then administer a deep muscle massage which really hurts.

Since the regular treatments, I feel much better but at times when I try to really "swing" at the ball, particularly with my driver, my spasms return and cause my ribs to lock up again.

My physiotherapist told me this is quite a common problem with golfers. Have any of you experienced this type of injury?

[bonzi_532]

Re: Injuries

I have strained my back several times

[mrk]

Re: Injuries

Interesting to hear about your ribs being locked up and needing to be "popped". Sounds painful. Last summer I had a rib injury that was caused by overuse. I had cracked two ribs on my right side (I'm right handed). After allowing them to heal, I embarked on a religious stretching and abdominal workout routine. I have considerably strengthened and have increased my flexibility - rsult, I keep gaining yardages! Keep the faith - stretch & strengthen. Good luck!

[sinuetblue]

Re: Injuries

Stretching and strenghtening is obviously great advice. However, I can't help thinking that there might be a problem in the golf swing contributing to it. Perhaps a lesson from a really good pro might help as well. I'm only guessing of course, you may have a perfect swing!

[mrk]

Re: Injuries

Definitely no perfect swing here! Part of the problem was that I was trying to hard. I had just started the game and fell into the trap of to hit it far you need to hit it hard - wrong. I was just beating myself up at the range.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Injuries

Hi Big Sheesh,

I don't want to disagree with the so called "Professionals" on the human body and the affects the golf swing has on it, however statistically the number of golfers aged beetween 5 an 75 to the number of back injurys must be a less than 2% amoung golfers.

Personally I think golf helps strengthen the back and aids flexability, it is also good and enjoyable exercise.

It has already been said but I think you may need to look at the swing and the amount of effort you put into it.

To your question, yes I have had very minor pulls that go in a week and this is always due to swinging to violent or not warming up.



Hope this helps


Ian.

[Big Sheesh]

Re: Injuries

My swing is fine and I have been taking weekly lessons from a pro. My problem stems from hitting too hard with little or no warm up/stretching which turned into muscle spasms.

The spasms were so great that it forced my ribs to go out of place and get locked up. As I mentioned, with good warmup/streches and by trying to get the "gotta kill the ball" mentality out of the way, I will not experience such problems.

[mrk]

Re: Injuries

Ian,

Totally agree. My wife has chronic back pain. When she started playing golf with me however her problems were greatly reduced. Probably due to the strectching influence a well as strengthening. I have since learned to relax a bit and get much better results.

[30yearlayoff]

Re: Injuries

Try a chiropractor. My rib head popped out and caused a terrible pain that made it a chore to just breathe.

Chiropractor made some adjustments and I was back playing the next day. Still sore around the front and back due to muscle spasms but....in good shape quickly.