No doubt golf is the one of most popular recreational sports today, but it's not without risk.

Well-known professionals such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have suffered back pain while playing, and amateur golfers in Northern California are also at risk for back injury as many dust off their clubs and head back onto the green this summer.

Back pain is among the most common athletic injuries. "Professional golfers tend to develop low back pain from overuse. Amateurs usually develop back pain from sporadic play, a bad swing and an overall poor level of physical fitness," said Andrew Fox, M.D. of the Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group.

 

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on treating lower back pain. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. In fact, the group says back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States -- only headache is more common.

"As with so many health conditions, minor preventive measures can go a long way to avoid injury and pain," said Dr. Fox.

"However, if the pain continues for more than two to six weeks, see your doctor," concluded Dr. Fox.

Get Golf Fit

1) Warm-up
"One sure way to wrench your back is to go directly to the tee, pull out your driver, and try and hit the cover off the ball," said Dr. Fox. Warm-up stretches and easy swings will get muscles ready for the game.

2) Perfect your swing
"It may be easier said than done, but developing an easy, fluid swing will not only help your game, it will also help your back," said Dr. Fox. In a proper swing, the shoulder, hip, chest and back all work together to generate power. Sharing the load also prevents injury.

3) Let's get physical
Improving flexibility and an overall level of physical fitness is one of the best ways to avoid low back pain. "The better shape you're in, the less likely you are to injure your back."

4) Golf bag blunders
"Repeatedly bending over to pick up a golf bag can stress the low back and lead to muscle strain. A standing golf bag can eliminate the need to bend over," said Dr. Fox. Use a golf bag with wheels or dual straps to evenly divide the weight across the back. It will reduce the chances of developing low back pain from an uneven load. 

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