why does my back hurt after playing golf

Is your back pain caused by Golf?

Sep 14, 2020 · Common Causes of Golf Back Pain. The golf swing can be dangerous if you’re not properly trained. Poor swing mechanics combined with rotational forces can cause significant damage to your spine. There’s a real, inherent risk to the lumbar spine (lower back) and thoracic spine (upper back). 3 Reasons Why Golfers Hurt Their Back 1. Core Weakness

Why does my golf swing hurt so bad?

How Golf Causes Low Back Pain. The full golf swing (backswing and follow-through) rotates the spine with a great deal of force and little control, leaving the structures in the lower back particularly open to injury. Spinal muscles, especially the lumbar spine muscles, strain to help provide force during the golf swing.

Why do I have hip pain after playing golf?

Swinging the golf club requires the spine to twist, the hips to pull, and the arms to gain speed in a downward motion. These movements put stress on the muscles around the spine, causing them to tighten. The tightened muscles pull on bones and other muscles around them, creating pain.

How do you treat lower back pain from golf?

Golfers with low back pain tend to rely more heavily on the erector spinae muscle before the swing, rather than on the transversus abdominis and the multifidus. 1 This tendency may be the cause of low back pain or may compensate for the weakness in the transversus abdominis or multifidus. It is important to resolve muscle imbalances by engaging and strengthening the …

How do I stop my back from hurting when I play golf?

Why does my back ache after golf?

Is a golf swing hard on your back?

How do I protect my back in golf?

How do you stretch your back for golf?

Can you lose weight golf?

What muscles should be sore after golf?

How far do you walk in 18 holes of golf?

What is the best hole in golf?

Remember, the best hole is the 19th hole. And if you’re in pain on the 19th hole, that’s never any way to finish your round. Get out there, have fun, enjoy the sun. And keep back pain away from your golf game.

What muscles are weak in the hip?

This can be a weakness of the hip muscles, possibly the hip flexors, hip abductors or the glutes. Additional weakness can be found in your abdominal muscles. We are talking primarily in your deeper abdominal muscles which are the transverse abdominis and our multifidus . These are actually the stabilizers of our spine.

Who is Oscar Andalon?

Dr. Oscar Andalon is a leading and trusted sports physical therapist, strength coach, performance enhancement specialist, educator, author, and Co-Founder of LEVEL4 PT & Wellness – an Encinitas integrated wellness center for people in their 40’s, 50’s and beyond, who value their health and want to restore or maximize their active and healthy lifestyle.

Can golf cause back pain?

However, like any other sport, golf can produce injuries to the low back and spine. One very common golf injury is low back pain (usually due to muscle strains and sprains). Additionally, people who suffer from chronic or recurrent episodes of low back pain can be frustrated because the pain hinders their ability to play golf.

Why is golf so popular?

The increased popularity of golf may be due to demographics, with baby boomers having more time and disposable income, and may be due to the fact that technology is producing golf equipment that makes the game easier. Whatever the reason, golf is certainly enjoying ...

How does golf affect your back?

How Golf Causes Low Back Pain 1 The full golf swing (backswing and follow-through) rotates the spine with a great deal of force and little control, leaving the structures in the lower back particularly open to injury 2 Spinal muscles, especially the lumbar spine muscles, strain to help provide force during the golf swing 3 Disc and facet joint loading increases also helping to provide force during the golf swing 4 Bending over to pick up the golf bag or even the golf ball or club may strain muscles as well as carrying the golf bag

How to prevent back injury when playing golf?

Preventing Back Injuries from Golf 1 Warm up with smooth, easy swings prior to getting out on the course 2 Learn proper form and posture for playing golf, including a smooth, rhythmic swing in good balance 3 Choose a golf bag with a built in stand to avoid having to lift it, and dual straps to avoid carrying an uneven load 4 When picking up the golf ball, bend at the knees or get a device for your putter that allows for the ball to be retrieved from the hole without bending over

What muscles are involved in golf swing?

The full golf swing (backswing and follow-through) rotates the spine with a great deal of force and little control, leaving the structures in the lower back particularly open to injury. Spinal muscles , especially the lumbar spine muscles, strain to help provide force during the golf swing.

Can a golf swing cause back pain?

Older golfers are probably less likely to develop low back pain from the golf swing since they do not try to develop the same degree of torque (as they did when they were younger). Additionally, modification of the golf swing may be necessary in the injured or elderly athlete.

Is golf good for back pain?

For the millions of people who have chronic, long-standing low back pain, golf can still be an enjoyable sport. However, a regular routine of stretching and low-impact exercise is critical to maintain the ability to play golf.

Can you play golf with low back pain?

Playing Golf with Low Back Pain. For the millions of people who have chronic, long-standing low back pain, golf can still be an enjoyable sport. However, a regular routine of stretching and low-impact exercise is critical to maintain the ability to play golf.

Why is flexibility important in golf?

Stretching and maintaining flexibility will be even more important to individuals with low back pain in order to prevent further injury or muscle strain related to golf. Individuals with chronic low back pain tend to lose flexibility, and if a stretching program is not maintained on a daily basis, the resulting loss in flexibility will lead ...

Can you play golf as you get older?

Many golfers continue to play as they age, and most expect to be able to continue to play during their retirement years. Unfortunately, some elderly individuals will develop conditions such as spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis, which makes it very difficult for them to walk any significant distances on the golf course. For those individuals who have difficulty walking the golf course because of pain, using a golf cart is a perfectly reasonable option. Although they will lose the advantage of the exercise they would get walking the golf course, riding will allow them to continue to enjoy golfing. People with spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis can maintain their aerobic conditioning with stationary biking, which is usually a better tolerated form of exercise than walking.

Can you walk on a golf cart?

Although they will lose the advantage of the exercise they would get walking the golf course , riding will allow them to continue to enjoy golfing.

Can you ride a golf cart on a golf course?

For those individuals who have difficulty walking the golf course because of pain, using a golf cart is a perfectly reasonable option. Although they will lose the advantage of the exercise they would get walking the golf course, riding will allow them to continue to enjoy golfing. People with spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis can ...

Can golf cause back pain?

The demands of the golf swing can cause low back pain often referred to as "Golfer's Back.". Back pain caused by golf is not uncommon. From the eyes of the spectator, golf may seem as if it's a low-impact sport, but it can be one of the most demanding sports on the spine, causing several painful conditions that sometimes require medical attention.

How to prevent back pain from golf?

A golf-specific fitness plan that includes core strength training and flexibility training can help prevent back pain. Core strength exercises build the muscles from the shoulder girdle to thigh, including the abdominals, back, and buttocks. When these muscles are strong, they brace and protect the spine, decreasing risk of injury.

Does stretching help with back pain?

Again, the stronger these muscles, the less stress placed on other areas of the body. Stretching the muscles will also help prevent back pain. The hamstrings, in particular, tend to tighten up during and after a round. When they do this, they pull on the hips and spine, creating more pain.

Why does my golf swing hurt?

Swinging the golf club requires the spine to twist, the hips to pull, and the arms to gain speed in a downward motion. These movements put stress on the muscles around the spine, causing them to tighten. The tightened muscles pull on bones and other muscles around them, creating pain.

How much does a golf bag weigh?

A golf bag can weigh anything from 20 to 35 pounds, depending on what the golfer places in it. This extra weight placed on the back and the shoulder strains the muscles, particularly in the lower back. The lower back holds a majority of the body’s weight, also absorbing the weight of the back.

Can golf cause low back pain?

It is generally not advisable to further stress inflamed muscles by continuing to play golf through an episode of low back pain. Taking time off from golf will allow the muscles to heal more quickly.

How to relieve low back pain from golf?

For relief of the pain and to promote healing from golf-related injuries and low back pain, it is generally advisable to rest for a day or two , apply heat and/or ice, and take pain medication. Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help decrease inflammation, and acetaminophen may be taken in conjunction ...

How long does it take for a low back injury to heal?

Most acute low back injuries that occur during a game of golf will get better over a couple of days to weeks. The most common injuries from golf include: Muscle strains: typically occurs with rough or forceful golf swings or a sudden shift during the downswing.

Can you play golf with low back pain?

It is generally not advisable to further stress inflamed muscles by continuing to play golf through an episode of low back pain. Taking time off from golf will allow the muscles to heal more quickly. Continuing to stretch between golf sessions is advisable, as is continuing a low-impact aerobic exercise program, ...

How long does it take for a low back to stop hurting?

If the low back pain continues for more than two to six weeks, a specific and definable problem may be the cause of the back pain and a medical professional should be consulted.

What is the best medicine for back pain?

Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help decrease inflammation, and acetaminophen may be taken in conjunction with these medications to further help reduce low back pain and other types of pain. For more in-depth information, see The P.R.I.C.E. Protocol Principles on Sports-health.com. advertisement.

Can golf cause back pain?

But if you’ve spent a long winter relaxing on the couch, your back may not be in golfing shape just yet. Low, middle, and upper back pain are common symptoms of golf-related injuries. Golf is a game of muscle memory, and its repetitive motions can lead to inflammation, strains, and other injuries of the muscles and discs of the spine, ...

How to treat back pain from golf?

Most golf-related back pain can be treated with medication, physical therapy, or other nonsurgical methods. However, severe injuries might require back surgery.

How to avoid back pain?

Golfer’s guide: 5 ways to avoid back pain. Warming up and controlling your swing can help prevent golf-related back pain. Every spring, weekend golfers dust off their clubs and hit the links, eager to live out fantasies of playing like Tiger Woods or Jordan Spieth. But if you’ve spent a long winter relaxing on the couch, ...

Is Pilates good for your back?

The muscles around the abdomen and back help support the spine, and having a strong core reduces the risk of injury as you swing and bend. Pilates can be particularly effective for core strengthening at any age.

How old was Tiger Woods when he turned pro?

Take Tiger Woods, for example. He turned pro at age 20 with a powerful swing and the physical ability to recover quickly. Over the years, Woods had to adapt his swing, warm-ups, and approach to the game. After multiple back and knee surgeries, he knows he must play smart.

Is Pilates good for core strength?

Pilates can be particularly effective for core strengthening at any age. And moderation is key – consider participating in other activities along with golf to avoid repetitive motion injuries. Make time for other aerobic workouts, such as walking, running, and swimming. 5.

Can golfing cause back pain?

Common injuries among the golfing set can cause upper and lower back pain. The body is held in a difficult position in the swing, rotating the upper body to such a degree that it is inevitable that a strain will occur.

How to prevent injury in the back?

Consider picking up a strength-training routine with weights and cardiovascular exercise. Lifting weight to strengthen your arms, legs, core and back will only help with injury prevention.

How to stretch your hips and hamstrings?

Try bringing your knees individually to your chest while standing, supported, to stretch your hamstrings and hips. Simple toe-touches will accomplish the hamstring stretch as well. Gently rotating from the waist with your arms extending, right, then left will stretch your side abdominal muscles.

How to stretch your abdominal muscles?

Gently rotating from the waist with your arms extending, right, then left will stretch your side abdominal muscles. Reaching for the ceiling as far as you can, then dropping your arms and shaking them out, slowly and repeatedly, will help stretch out your shoulders and arms.

What is the best way to improve golf?

A good cardiovascular workout will enhance the weight training, and benefit you with improved circulation and oxygenation, enabling a more enjoyable golf experience. If you do become injured while playing golf, it’s highly advisable to seek a doctor’s care.

Who is Jesse from the Healthy Back Institute?

Jesse is the co-founder and visionary CEO of The Healthy Back Institute®, the world-leading source of natural back pain solutions. His mission as a former back pain sufferer is to help others live pain free without surgery and pharmaceuticals.