Staying Healthy on the Links
For the past 21 years, Dr. Dale Richardson has worked with some of the best golfers on the planet, providing chiropractic care to help them reach their full potential and stay injury-free. We all know that rotation and posture are two keys to developing a solid swing, but repeating that swing correctly over a long period of time can lead not only to back trouble, but also to neck, wrist and forearm injuries.
“The most common injuries are strains and sprains in the lower back and neck, and tendonitis affecting the wrists and forearms due to the repetitive action and overuse syndromes typical of golf,” explains Dr. Richardson, a member of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.
Working with a chiropractor can help with recovery and prevent these types of injuries, allowing you to play consistently at a high level. “I think if [golfers] receive chiropractic care, they will be receiving an expert in manipulation, and that is a big deal in respect to their injuries and prevention of their injuries,” says Dr. Richardson.
Not everyone has the time and money to seek out a chiropractor on a consistent basis, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the initiative to try and prevent injuries from happening. Dr. Richardson suggests working on your mobility and core stability to help strengthen your spine.
“In golf, injuries often happen in your low back first, and then the rest of your body becomes susceptible to injury, because your back plays such a large role during the swing,” Dr. Richardson says. “You need to work on your mobility, stability and core stability to help protect your spine and strengthen the muscles surrounding it.”
Below Dr. Richardson lays out an exercise that works core stability. Incorporate this into your workout year-round to avoid those nagging injuries and help you go low.
Med Ball Superman
• Lie on stomach with arms extended straight overhead, holding light med ball with both hands
• Keeping arms and legs straight, squeeze low back and glutes to raise chest and thighs off floor
• Hold for 30 seconds and lower with control
• Repeat for specified reps
Sets/Reps: 1×3
Coaching Points: Continue breathing normally throughout hold // Keep head in a neutral position with eyes looking down at ground // Keep arms and legs as straight as possible
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Staying Healthy on the Links
For the past 21 years, Dr. Dale Richardson has worked with some of the best golfers on the planet, providing chiropractic care to help them reach their full potential and stay injury-free. We all know that rotation and posture are two keys to developing a solid swing, but repeating that swing correctly over a long period of time can lead not only to back trouble, but also to neck, wrist and forearm injuries.
“The most common injuries are strains and sprains in the lower back and neck, and tendonitis affecting the wrists and forearms due to the repetitive action and overuse syndromes typical of golf,” explains Dr. Richardson, a member of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.
Working with a chiropractor can help with recovery and prevent these types of injuries, allowing you to play consistently at a high level. “I think if [golfers] receive chiropractic care, they will be receiving an expert in manipulation, and that is a big deal in respect to their injuries and prevention of their injuries,” says Dr. Richardson.
Not everyone has the time and money to seek out a chiropractor on a consistent basis, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the initiative to try and prevent injuries from happening. Dr. Richardson suggests working on your mobility and core stability to help strengthen your spine.
“In golf, injuries often happen in your low back first, and then the rest of your body becomes susceptible to injury, because your back plays such a large role during the swing,” Dr. Richardson says. “You need to work on your mobility, stability and core stability to help protect your spine and strengthen the muscles surrounding it.”
Below Dr. Richardson lays out an exercise that works core stability. Incorporate this into your workout year-round to avoid those nagging injuries and help you go low.
Med Ball Superman
• Lie on stomach with arms extended straight overhead, holding light med ball with both hands
• Keeping arms and legs straight, squeeze low back and glutes to raise chest and thighs off floor
• Hold for 30 seconds and lower with control
• Repeat for specified reps
Sets/Reps: 1×3
Coaching Points: Continue breathing normally throughout hold // Keep head in a neutral position with eyes looking down at ground // Keep arms and legs as straight as possible