Back Pain Can Keep You From The Game

Arizona is known for its beautiful weather this time of year, which brings some serious golfers to the valley, especially to Anthem and Surprise. But whether you’re a pro or just a beginner golfer, back pain can definitely affect your swing and keep you out of the game. During this perfect Arizona weather, the last thing you want is back pain keeping you from the course.



Prominent studies have found that 85 percent of Americans will deal with back pain, specifically lower back pain, sometime during their life. When it comes to golfers, over 80 percent of amateur golfers will suffer from back pain at some point during their lives. Amazingly, back pain is the second leading cause of doctor visits, right behind the common cold. Many of these back problems are called by lifting and excessive rotations of the spine, much like during a golf swing.



Now in Arizona, when the Phoenix Open is the talk of the town, golfers are paying special attention to their swing and not so much to their backs. Back pain can sneak up on you in the middle of a swing, or leave you in pain for weeks after.



According to a recent Consumer Reports post, there are three main symptoms of back pain: non-specific pain, pinched nerve, and spinal stenosis. Non-specific back pain can be due to muscle strain, muscle spasm, or a ligament strain, among other things. A pinched nerve can leave you with more severe pain, and spinal stenosis can be from arthritis or simply your age.



Despite the multitude of tests available, sometimes the actual pathology or more likely pathologies of back pain remain elusive. Multiple anatomic structures and elements of the lumbar spine (e.g., bones, ligaments, tendons, discs and muscle) can all play a role. All of these components have sensory innervation that can generate painful signals representing responses to mechanical stimuli (sharp or dull ache). Others may be neuropathic in nature, suggesting nerve irritation (burning and stinging sensation). Most chronic back pain cases involve mixed mechanical and neuropathic etiologies. – SiLive.com



In many cases of back pain, especially severe back pain, one of the best things that you can do is consult a specialist. In fact, being that The Pain Center is located in some of the best golfing communities in the valley, our pain consultants know a thing or two about back pain. Our pain consultants can show you stretches, techniques, and treatments that will help to alleviate your back pain and get you back on the course.



Sources:
http://www.silive.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2010/02/a_closer_look_at_low_b...
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/back-pai...