Improving Your Golf Game With Chiropractic Care

 "I've been going to a chiropractor for as long as I can remember. It is as important to my training as the practice of my swing."

-Tiger Woods, Pro Golfer

Research published by the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine has confirmed what most pro golfers already know: regular chiropractic care can indeed improve your golf swing and, as a result, lead to improved overall performance of your play.

Performed by sports medicine physicians in São Paulo, Brazil, the study examined 43 golfers who were all of similar ages and golf handicaps. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group was instructed to perform a daily regimen of specific stretches and warm-ups, whereas the experimental group received chiropractic adjustments in addition to the stretches and warm-ups.

The Study

Prior to treatment, the participants were asked to perform three full swing maneuvers, and measurements were made of the average distance they were able to drive the ball. The participants were tested again following their stretching or stretching/adjustment. This entire process was repeated over a period of four weeks.

Results

Among those in the group that were only instructed in stretching and warm-ups there was no improvement in the "full swing performance" (defined in the study as the average distance the golfers were able to drive the ball). But among the golfers who stretched, warmed up and received chiropractic adjustments, there was a statistically significant improvement in their "full swing performance."

The physicians performing the study concluded that a treatment plan tailored to the individual that includes chiropractic adjustments in conjunction with specific exercises and stretches can make a significant difference in your overall performance and enjoyment of the game.

Preventing Golf Injuries With Chiropractic Care

Golf is a game of repetitive motions. Swinging a golf club requires a repetitive, unilateral torquing of the spine that's repeated a hundred or more times over a round of golf. It takes a toll on your spine, and the problem is compounded in amateurs because they notoriously use poor swing mechanics that cause instability in the low back.

For a proper golf swing, you need unrestricted joint motion in the spine and pelvis. Think of your body as a spinning top, with your spine as the axis around which your arms, hands, and golf club rotate. The top can move very fast if the axis remains balanced but will topple over if the axis is unstable. To allow the top to continue spinning as efficiently as possible, it is imperative to have a healthy, freely moveable spine, as well as proper balance in the muscles supporting the spine.

The Wellness Way Chiropractic Advantage For Golfers

Many people wait until they're hurting to make an appointment with their doctor to get out of pain. The majority of professional golfers see a chiropractor on a regular basis, whether they're hurting or not. With regular maintenance chiropractic care, proper conditioning of your core musculature, and a good golf stretching and warm up routine, you can boost your game and avoid the injuries so common in amateur golfers.