Can a bulging disc affect your golf game?
Anyone who plays golf knows that success on the course depends on the ability to repeat a smooth, integrated swing. This requires coordinated body movement from head to toe, which is hard to maintain if a bulging disc is causing a pinched nerve in the neck or any other part of the spine.
How long can you play golf with a herniated disc?
Doctors often recommend refraining from golf or other impact sports until a herniated disc is healed. A six-week hiatus may be preferable to requiring surgery, which may leave you laid up in recovery for three to four months--perhaps even longer. Friedly J, Standaert C, Chan L. Epidemiology of spine care: the back pain dilemma.
Why does my bulging disc recovery time take so long?
This may affect your bulging disc recovery time. It is also possible that the inflammatory chemicals that appear in our spine when we suffer a disc injury irritate the levels below the injury too. The presence of these inflammatory chemicals is likely to increase your bulging disc recovery time.
How long does it take to get back into golf after surgery?
The point is to gradually get back in the game as opposed to jumping into a full 18 holes. By three months after surgery (or longer if you’ve had a lumbar fusion), you may typically return to your long game.
Can you golf with a disc bulge?
0:102:44Golf and Herniated Disk - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOut some of the inside. Part of the disc. And that's that's how you get the discs per se and doesMoreOut some of the inside. Part of the disc. And that's that's how you get the discs per se and does that affect a golfers ability to reach a sort of maximum.
Can golf aggravate a herniated disc?
Treating Back Pain from Golf Repeated and extreme movements can potentially cause disc injuries, including disc herniation or a ruptured disc. These conditions are most often treated with pain management therapies to address the severe pain, followed by a long-term program of rehab and strengthening.
How long is recovery from bulging disc?
Most patients return to work within 2-4 weeks following surgery; however, those with more strenuous jobs may need to wait up to 12 weeks before returning. Your physician will discuss this with you, as well as any other activity restrictions, during your post-surgical office visit.
Do bulging discs ever fully heal?
Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer as to whether your disc herniation will fully heal. With treatment, a disc herniation can dry up, shrink or go away. Your body may have an autoimmune response and aid in healing the herniation.
How can I play golf with a bad back?
For the millions of people who have long-standing low back pain, golf can still be an enjoyable sport....Modify the Golf SwingStand closer to the ball.Keep the backswing short, to help reduce the load on the back. ... Rotate the head slightly, with the nose aligning over the right foot, rather than keeping the head still.
Did Tiger Woods have a herniated disc?
Woods has undergone a microdiscectomy on the herniated disc in his lower back and will miss "several months," according to a statement posted on TigerWoods.com (h/t Yahoo Sports).
Can a bulging disc get worse?
Do disc bulges get worse over time? Unfortunately if disc bulges are left untreated, and if the abnormal spinal stresses that caused them continue, they will often worsen over time.
Can a chiropractor fix a bulging disc?
Yes! Chiropractic care is the preferred treatment method for many patients suffering from a bulging disc. It is non-invasive and does not require drugs or injections of any kind. Chiropractic can help provide you with improved mobility, decreased pain, and overall better quality of life.
How do I know if my herniated disc is healing?
4:3610:43Top 7 Signs You Can Heal Your Own Sciatica/Herniated Disc - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight that's a good sign I was you know and and you should try some walking to see if it does getMoreRight that's a good sign I was you know and and you should try some walking to see if it does get better because sometimes it's like oh no it hurts it hurts it hurts but then once they walk a few.
What is the fastest way to heal a bulging disc?
How to heal a herniated disc quicklyAlternate applying heat and cold.Stay as active as you can. Take walks to avoid becoming too stiff from resting too often.Try alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic.
Is L4-L5 disc bulge serious?
Most importantly, an L4-L5 disc bulge can lead to prolonged pain and other, more serious conditions like spondylolisthesis if you delay treatment. Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra shifts or slips, and can cause significant pain that may require surgery to fix.
Why is my bulging disc not healing?
Sometimes, the nerves are actually damaged by the pressure from the disc herniation and may not recover completely. You may also develop scar tissue around the nerves weeks after the operation that causes pain similar to what you had before the operation.
bigred90gt
I have L4 and L5 herniated disks as well. I injured them lifting weights. As odd as it seems, golf is one of the few things I can do that actually does not hurt my back. I injured it almost 3 years ago, and never really quit playing.
Bucken77
I feel for you man. I've struggled mightily with back issues since Jan. 22, 2003. That is the day my back finally gave out after just over working it at my job. 59 separate procedures later and I'm still in pain every day. It started at L5S1 and I had everything a person can have done before doing fusion surgery.
Outdors21
What kind of surgery? I've got L3-L4, L4-L5 annular tears and herniations, and degenerative disk disease, and stenosis, and arthritis, and a couple other things; dates back to a gym injury in 2004. L1/2/3 and L5/S1 also in trouble. Tears are the worst... like a dagger. Have to let it heal.
Tax Man Golfeth
Thanks for the responses. The trouble with back issues is that symptoms and treatments vary. Some folks can go from being worse off to better off than I am with surgery, while I'm stuck in the middle. According to my ortho, my main issue is that my disks have degenerated and so my vertebrae are too close together in lumbar spine.
Smash Factors
I'm just now getting back to the game after taking an 11 month break. I have a bulging disc in my cervical spine. The pain shot down my left shoulder and arm for several months. I could not play at all. Only now am I back on the course and playing awful.
Dan Drake
I had my L4-L5 disk rupture completely at 29 years old. Sadly, I was going to a chiro who never even once hinted that I might want to go see a different type of medical professional.
PorscheFan
I'm not completely against new approaches (says the guy that's waiting for his next order of turmeric from amazon) and there is no doubt that there are many cases of chronic back pain that can be brought on by tension or stress...
How long does it take to golf after lumbar discectomy?
In general, if you had a simple lumbar discectomy or a cervical procedure, you may golf again in about six weeks. If you underwent a lumbar fusion, you may be braced for three months, so the return is delayed to that time. Regardless of the type of surgery, I first recommend physical therapy before returning to the short and medium game.
How long does it take to get back into golf after lumbar fusion?
The point is to gradually get back in the game as opposed to jumping into a full 18 holes. By three months after surgery (or longer if you’ve had a lumbar fusion), you may typically return to your long game.
How long after spine surgery can you carry golf clubs?
Also, carrying golf clubs after spine surgery should be avoided for at least three months, so consider investing in a cart or caddie. Rain is a no-go. Weather always plays a role in a golf game, though those recovering from back or neck surgery need to take extra care.
What to watch out for after spine surgery?
The main red flag to watch out for when golfing after spine surgery is pain. If your back or neck hurts, don’t ignore it. Give yourself the rest you need before golfing again. The transition back to a full game of golf should be done slowly and thoughtfully after a spine procedure.
Why do you put a tee off last?
The reason I suggest tee offs last is the tee shot is the most demanding on your back—a strong swing can put a lot of pressure on your facet joints and low back. When you are ready for tee shots, hold back on the power of your stroke (for example, give 5% instead of 100% of your energy). Golf involves bending and twisting, ...
What is golf bending?
Golf involves bending and twisting, motions that impact all areas of your spine. Before playing a full round, perhaps spend some time at the putting green or driving range (again, not going full force while teeing off).
Can you play golf after spine surgery?
When you’re ready to take on your first full golf game after spine surgery, you can protect your neck or back with some simple tips. While walking is good for your surgery recovery, mobility may be an issue initially. Use a golf cart until your energy levels return and stamina improves.
Recognizing a Bulging Disc in the Neck
Avid golfers are typically very in tune with their bodies. They recognize when something is not quite right, physically. So, when a bulging disc in the neck begins to cause cervical nerve compression, it becomes obvious very quickly to a golfer that there is a potentially serious problem.
Learn to Recognize the Difference
Most people who golf on a regular basis also develop the ability to cope with the nagging aches and pains that are a natural result of repetitive twisting, turning, and explosive use of the neck muscles. It is vital that someone who begins to experience nerve compression symptoms not try to play through the pain.
How long does it take to recover from a microdiscectomy?
Patients often experience immediate pain relief after surgery and resume routine activities shortly thereafter. Full physical recovery can take up to six weeks post-surgery.
How long does chronic back pain last?
Chronic back pain is defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. Chronic low back pain continues to be a major factor inhibiting the enjoyment of life for many Americans.
How long does it take to recover from a bulging disc?
After surgery, recovery time periods can range from 6 to 12 weeks, to longer in more complex cases. However, during these time periods, the amount of activity you are allowed to perform is far more limited than during the average bulging disc recovery time period without surgery.
How long does it take for a bulging disc to heal?
It is worth noting that, during the healing process, the disc is quite vulnerable to a re-injury for up to 6 weeks. However, this sense of vulnerability can remain for quite some time after. A large part of the reason for this is due to subconscious fear of a re-injury. The fear of re-injury can actually directly increase your bulging disc recovery ...
Why do I have a bulging disc?
This is because some people are born with less fibres in the annulus of their disc. This predisposes their discs to weakness, and makes a disc injury or bulge through repetitive strain more likely. It’s important to say here that we shouldn’t stress about the genetic factors relating to our sciatica! We can’t change our genetics, and it is thought that overall bulging disc recovery time isn’t overly affected by our genetics. Factors such as diet ( see here ), lifestyle ( see here) and stress ( see here) are all much bigger factors in our recovery.
What causes sciatica to bulge?
Bulging discs are a very common cause of sciatica. It is estimated that a problem with the intervertebral discs of the spine is to blame for over 70% of cases of sciatica.
What nerve root is irritated when you have a disc bulge?
When you sustain a disc bulge at level L4/L5 (second from bottom disc) in the spine, you may get an irritation of the L5 nerve root, which exits at the level of your disc problem. However, due to the effects ...
How does the annulus work after a disc injury?
The annulus then “knits” back together, allowing the disc to return to a healthy state. This is all dependent on the person suffering from the injury managing to avoid any aggravating activities in their day to day life.
Why does my disc bulge?
Often, there is a pre-existing weakness in the annulus of one of your discs, caused by repetitive micro-trauma over time through repeated actions and just living your day-to-day life. This can then lead to a disc bulge over a period of time.
How to heal a herniated disc?
1. Too Much Bed Rest . Doctors used to recommend several days of bed rest for herniated discs, but we’ve since learned that too much bed rest should be avoided. At best, too much bed rest does nothing to help you heal. At worst, it worsens your herniated disc.
How to stop a herniated disc from slouching?
Keep your shoulders back and your spine erect. In other words, don’t slouch! Keep your feet on the floor and your thighs parallel to the floor.
What should I avoid when I have a herniated disc?
This is because they both tend to involve lots of bending and twisting, both of which can cause pain and hinder the healing process. They also tend to put you in a poor postural position, which is exactly what to avoid when healing .
What exercises can help a herniated disc?
This core exercise puts pressure on the low back and usually causes it to bow outward, which can exacerbate the disc. Hamstring Stretches. Most hamstring stretches are not great for your back in general. This is doubly true when you have a herniated disc.
How to help sciatica pain?
You may also consider placing two pillows under your lower legs. This often helps take the pressure off the low back. If you’re a side-sleeper, you can also use pillows under your lower legs to help with sciatica pain from a bulging disc . If your pain is on the left, sleep on your right side, and vice-versa. 7.
What are some activities that involve bending over?
Some common activities that involve bending over are as follows: Doing Laundry. You have to bend over to grab the basket, carry the basket to the laundry room, and then bend over several more times before the laundry is done. Get a friend or family member to do this if you can.
How to keep your back from bending?
Place a rolled-up towel or pillow in the small of your back to maintain the natural curvature of the spine. Take frequent breaks where you stand up and walk around for a few minutes. It’s best to do this every half hour or hour. If you have access to a standing desk, use it as much as you can to avoid sitting.