Do you have Golfer's Spine?

The season may be over, but what has it left you with?

Golf is a popular sport and will likely grow in popularity with its reintroduction into the Summer Olympics in 2016.

It also has a multitude of health benefits, and has been shown to improve overall well being most visibly in older golfers who’s peak level of physical endurance is perhaps lowered by age.

While a properly executed golf swing may not look stressful or even too difficult, major body parts are put through extreme motion ranges very quickly.
An enjoyable sport; a great skill. However, both amateur and professional golfers will say that golf can cause and possibly re-awaken old back injuries.

Golf requires a high level of co-ordination and dedicated practice, during which powerful movements may be repeated several hundred times. The physical stresses caused by this may lead to injury of the lower back in particular and contribute to future injury susceptibility.

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common injury among golfers of all ages, accounting for an average 25% of all golf related injuries.
The point when most players report experiencing LBP, according to American researchers, is immediately after ball impact, on the downswing when both left axial rotation speed and right-handed bending angles peak almost simultaneously. This research concluded that the combination of the deep side bend golfers must twist themselves into during their swing created excessive 'lateral shear' on the spinal vertebrae. Lateral shear is the grinding of one vertebrae on another as the spine bends during movement. It is this that is potentially harmful especially as with age, the cushions in between each vertebrae can deflate, leaving the bones with less insulation against this grinding. If injuries are sustained in this way and left unmonitored, a golfer could end up with Spondylosis.

Known as "golfer's spine," this is a degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints at the centre of the spinal vertebrae. It is also called Facet Syndrome as it affects the facet joints of the spine. If severe, this may cause pressure on the nerves resulting in nerve damage, sensory/motor disturbances, pain and muscle weakness.

So it would appear that reducing the grinding of the vertebrae as the golfer twists and bends would help control harmful forces on the spine that contribute to LBP and more serious conditions. To do this, golfers must work on their core strength. This isn't just about getting a flat stomach; it is strengthening the all muscles around your back, sides, stomach and glutes so that the burden of your weight isn't placed so much on your bones.

Core strength also helps with your balance. To improve core strength stability exercises should be practiced daily, and the use of a gym or balance ball can really help. Sit ups obviously work on the abs, but a real core work out will be tightening the deep core muscles in your back as well. These are called the Erector Spinae muscles and act as your body's natural corset.

Golfers need not give up their hobby, or even their career, due to low back pain. However golfer's must bear in mind that all their strength during that powerful golf swing they have work on tirelessly to perfect, must come from a strong core. 

To prevent injuries, this is essential to reduce the shearing, grinding effect of the vertebrae's which can lead to serious conditions. To ease LBP, low-impact pilates-style exercises should be practiced and some may find it useful to apply heat therapy patches or wear a corset-like back support.