Golf is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful, sunny day. Not only is golf a wonderful stress reliever, but it also works both your mind and your body.

However, golfing requires continuous contortion of the body with every swing. All of that unnatural swinging movement can take a huge toll on your body, which can lead to chronic neck and back pain.

In fact, roughly 4 out of every 5 golfers explain that they have some sort of back pain or injury while playing golf regularly. Playing golf not only involves your back, but it also includes all the joints in your body, particularly the spine, hips, elbow and pelvis.

Unstable sand and surface conditions can also lead to back pain and muscle stiffness as well. Not only are you trying to give it your best while swinging, but now your body is working overtime trying to stabilize and align itself on rough terrain.

It is important to understand the basic mechanics behind every step and movement out on the green. Doing so will ensure you can spend more time outside golfing than inside with an ice/heat pack on your back.

Below are some tips to help decrease your chances of golf related pain and ways to relieve existing pain caused or hindered by golf:

• Proper Posture is Key
  Before you swing, think about how your body is positioned. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart while distributing your weight evenly to both feet. Try not to hunch down to be closer to the ball as this can lead to neck and back strain.
• Flow is Important
  Avoid overusing one part of your body to compensate for the rest of it. For example, putting all of your power into your wrists while swinging the club can cause golfer's elbow--an injury to the muscles that flex your wrist and fingers. A smooth and even transfer of energy and power from your ankles to your wrists will create more power in your swing.
• Try not to over swing
  Many golfers create injuries and pulled muscles from swinging too hard or too fast in order to create more power. As mentioned before, flow and the even transfer is important. Try to relax and take a nice, easy swing at the ball.

Even The Professionals Use Chiropractic Care

Approximately 76% of pro golfers on the PGA tour have said that they use some form of chiropractic care as one of their regular routines to help prevent injury. The good news is, you don't have to be a professional golfer to better your game with chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care has been proven to help treat and prevent injuries caused by golfing. By combining exercise therapies, massage therapies and chiropractic adjustments, Nokomis Chiropractic and WellnessClinic can help you stay out of the doctor's office, off the heating pad and on the golf course.

---

If you have any questions on how to improve your golf game through proper body alignment, or to schedule an appointment, call Nokomis Chiropractic and Wellnesstoday 612-822-0149!

You make the time to ensure your golf ball is in proper alignment with the hole when on the course. It only stands to reason you will benefit from having your body & swing properly aligned before you head out onto the green.