News from The Conde Center for Chiropractic Neurology

Top Five Golf Injuries: Cutting   Edge Therapies

       Golf/Tennis elbow are very prevalent injuries in golf. Ironically, tennis elbow is more prevalent in golf than golfer's elbow. They are caused by the micro-tearing of the extensor group muscles of the elbow (outside aspect of the elbow) in tennis elbow and the flexor group (inside aspect of the elbow) in golf elbow. It typically occurs secondarily to excessive grip pressure during the swing, the use of aluminum shafts, and an awkward progression from backswing to downswing.
      Back pain is actually the most common problem for golfers. It is primarily due to the large amount of torque that's placed on the spine during the swing. The lower spine was not made to withstand such large degrees of rotation. Thus it makes sense that injuries to the discs between the vertebrae and other mechanical injuries to the lower spine including misalignments are common.
      Rotator cuff tendonitis is also caused by micro-tearing in the belly of the muscle. The muscles involved are the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder which originate in the shoulder blade (scapula) and attach to the upper arm (humerus). Typically we see this occur with players who have a high velocity back swing and have weak shoulder and scapular muscles to begin with.
      Knee pain is common in golfers especially those over the age of 65 due to the thinning of ligaments and cartilage around the knee. A second byproduct of the torque placed on the trunk during the swing is a propensity to suffer knee ligament sprains and even full thickness tears.
      Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress disorder caused by overuse of muscles and ligaments in the wrist on the palm side of the hand. The median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed and irritated and can lead to weakness and atrophy in the hand primarily on the thumb side.
      The primary goals in treating these disorders are to reduce inflammation, break up the fibrotic adhesions (scar tissue), strengthen surrounding musculature and neurological pathways, and restore proper joint motion. New cutting edge procedures involve the use of mirrors in a technique termed mirror imaging technique which attempts to strengthen the neurological and immune pathways in the affected limb by turning on a special subset of neurons in the brain termed mirror neurons.
In terms of nutrition, supplementing with proteolytic enzymes and essential fatty acids will help to reduce inflammation and break down scar tissue. Sticking to an anti-inflammatory, low glycemic index diet will also help to reduce inflammation and insulin surges which can promote neurological degeneration

Here are some tips to increase your longevity and effectiveness on the course:

1. Consider switching to a putter with a longer shaft.

2. Slow down the back swing to reduce rotational stress

on the lower back at the top of the backswing.

3. Make sure your body weight is shifted to the right foot during

the backswing.

4. Consider switching to graphite shafts.

5. Ease up on grip pressure during swing.

6. Maintain a smooth transition from backswing to downswing.

7. Consider switching to spikeless shoes to reduce stress on the

knee.

8. Take multivitamin with plenty of anti-oxidants.

A real cutting edge procedure is termed motor imaging technique. In essence the athlete visualizes in sets and repetition format, a learned movement such as the various swings on the golf course. The visualization must be very detailed in nature. Scientifically, the neurological pathways involved in the particular movement are enhanced. Please contact our office for a complimentary consultation.

John Conde, DC, DACNB