Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine, typically diagnosed when a person is in their teens. It is often responsive to treatment but can progress with age.
In the same way, some things can make scoliosis worse. Is one of those your golf swing? As we roll into Family Golf Month, now is a good time to take on the subject.
Can You Play Golf with Scoliosis?
Yes, you most certainly can. Exactly how to handle it will depend upon the severity of your spinal curve. It will require some extra work and adjustments, but it can. Many people with scoliosis play golf.
Do Pro Golfers Have Back Issues?
As a matter of fact there are professional golfers with scoliosis, including tour players Karrie Webb, Ken Duke, and Dudley Hart. Stacy Lewis also has scoliosis, and she has become one of the best players in the world since 2009, an amazing feat considering that a few years prior, she couldn’t lift a five-pound weight.
Does Golf Make Scoliosis Worse?
One-sided sports work the spine unevenly and place increased stress on one side of the body. In addition, most one-sided sports involve some form of repetitive motion. Scoliosis patients can suffer discomfort and possibly further progression of their already uneven spine, causing their spinal rotation to worsen.
On the positive note, this does not mean having to give up the game. With the right management and treatment program, you can determine which exercises to avoid. This will help you build strength and retrain yourself to avoid movements that cause unnecessary stress in these areas.
How Do I Protect My Back in a Golf Swing?
You can do several things to reduce the stresses placed on your back during a golf swing. Like all exercise, warming up is essential. Make sure to stretch and get your body ready for the golf game instead of just heading to the course. You can also take several measures related to your stance and swing themselves:
- Raise your front heel during the backswing.
- Shorten the backswing to decrease the rotation of the lower back.
- Stand closer to the ball to decrease spinal flexion and rotation.
- Perform core exercises.
- Perform thoracic spine (mid back) extension exercises
Talk to Total Chiro About Posture and Back Health
If you love golf and refuse to let scoliosis impede your game, it might be time to contact us about getting adjustments and assistance in developing a proper exercise program. We can help you continue to embrace your passions! Contact us online or call us directly at (631) 447-2299 for more information.