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Is back pain keeping you off the golf course this year?

Is back pain, or the fear of back pain, keeping you away from golf? If so, we can help.

Here are some helpful tips to get you back on course. This includes golf stretches that make the back stronger, more flexible and resistant to future strain. Fact: A correct golf swing should not create a back problem. We recommend connecting with a PGA-certified golf pro to learn the correct swing mechanics to lessen the strain on your back. Request our free Home Remedy Book.

Nix the “Reverse C”

Back in the 1970s the fashionable swing of young Johnny Miller featured the spine bent backward in the follow through, resembling a backward C. Today, the modern golf swing is much easier on the back, and positions the back in a more straight-up position as the body rotates on a straight left leg. Ironically, as Johnny Miller aged, he too changed his swing to a more rotational swing that has a finish that’s easier on his back.

Slow play? Perfect time for these golf stretches

Are slow players up ahead? Perfect! Next time you have to wait, Spine Group Orlando recommends these standing spine exercises to stay flexible and loose on the course.

STANDING ROTATION

Above: Put a golf club across your back and rotate your trunk in both directions.

STANDING PIRIFORMIS

Right: Lean against a tree for support. Then raise your knee up, and across your body. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat with other leg.

STANDING EXTENSION

Right: Extension is a core exercise for many back problems, provided you haven’t been diagnosed with stenosis. Hands on hips, lean backward hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times slowly.

STANDING FLEXION

Right: Bend at the waist, keeping legs straight and try to touch your toes. Hold for 5 seconds, and then return to standing position. You can alternate this with extension stretches.

STANDING STRETCH

Above: With hands outstretched above your head, lean first to the right, hold for 3 seconds, then stretch to the left. Repeat several times.

 

 

 


Maahir Haque, MD is recognized as a leader in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery. At Spine Group Orlando, Dr. Maahir Haque also provides second opinions for spine surgery and MRI reviews for those with back pain and neck pain. Dr. Haque emphasizes non-surgical options for back pain and neck pain where possible. This can include accessing a back pain specialist with expertise in pain-relieving spinal injections and spine therapists. Spine therapy can include back stretches that can be a future home remedy for back pain or neck pain. If spine surgery is necessary because of a herniated disc, spinal fracture, or spinal stenosis, Dr. Maahir Haque operates through tubular retractors that reduce the size of the incision, lessen blood loss, reduce time in the hospital, speed return to activity with a less painful recovery. This spine surgery expertise enables many patients to have outpatient spine surgery and be home the same day. Spine Group Orlando and Dr. Maahir Haque provides artificial disc replacement in the neck using the Mobi-C disc implant, the first FDA-approved disc for multiple levels in the neck. Prodisc-C is also used for artificial disc replacement in the cervical spine. Dr. Haque is also one of the few spine surgeons in Orlando, Florida to provide lumbar artificial disc replacement using the Prodisc-L artificial disc. Dr. Haque is also referred patients from across Orlando and north central Florida for artificial disc replacement surgery as an alternative to spinal fusion. Accordingly, Dr. Haque's patients travel from across north central Florida, including: Orlando; Jacksonville; Tallahassee; Lakeland; Gainesville; Tampa; Daytona Beach; and Cocoa Beach. The spine center, as a destination for medical tourism for some international patients from Mexico and the Caribbean, can provide recommendations to out-of-town patients on nearby hotels and tourist attractions. Dr. Haque is featured on the national site CentersforArtificialDisc.com as an author on the subject of artificial disc replacement for herniated discs in the neck. The Centers for Artificial Disc web site has content specific to disc replacement options and alternatives to spinal fusion. Click here to visit the Centers for Artificial Disc.