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Back Pain from Playing Golf
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Suthee Siriwechdaruk, M.D. |
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Causes : Golf is one of the most popular sports that many enjoy nowadays. However, in playing the sport, some golfers may suffer back pain which can arise from various causes:
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Back muscle strain: This is caused by over stretching the side and back muscles when the tissues are not ready for the motion. Golfers who play without a thorough warm-up and stretching first, tend to suffer this. In addition, a bad shot or an incorrect swing such as a swing that applies too much back and torso muscle strength or a miss or ground hitting shots from insufficient practice. The pain or strain on the back comes 4-6 hours after the game and the condition worsens afterwards. The pain occurs when you move, however, there is usually no leg muscle numbness or weakness |
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Back sprain or tendonitis: The causes of this type of back pain are the same that cause back muscle strain, except the condition is chronic. The not-so-severe pain lasts for a long period and is marked by frequent recurrences. |
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Herniated lumbar disc: A sharp back pain can be felt as you are bending down to make a shot, study the line or pick up the ball. The sharp pain may spread to one or both legs. Leg muscle numbness or weakness may also occur if the nerves along the spine are pinched. |
Treatment : The first thing you should do when you have back pain is lie down on a flat and firm mattress with your knees bent slightly. You may need a pillow under your knees. Apply heat on the back and take pain medication such as paracetamol (provided you are not sensitive to this drug). If you do not get better after a couple of days or the condition worsens with more pain or leg muscle numbness or weakness, a doctor should be consulted immediately.In the first few days of treatment, your doctor may prescribe a painkiller and anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant medication. Lumbar corsets together with physiotherapy may be needed in some severe cases. For patients with pinched spinal nerves or other symptoms may require surgery.
Prevention : Back pain from playing golf can be prevented by warming up and stretching thoroughly before beginning play. Practicing the correct swing also helps. Having regular exercise which develops back, stomach and torso muscles will prepare you to be a better and more effective golfer – and without back pain.Article Contributed by
Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Centre,
BNH Hospital |
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