Back Pain and Golf

December 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are a lover of golf, then you are probably already aware of the relationship between back pain and golf.  But the fact is that you don’t have to let back pain get in the way of you playing an occasional game of golf.  The following article and video will give you some good suggestions on how to play golf and avoid back pain.

If you suffer with low back pain that has been keeping you off the golf course, you are not alone. According to study by the University of Pittsburgh Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, more than 30 percent of golfers experience low back pain that affects their game or even keeps them from playing.

Unfortunately the sport of golf is not kind to the back in many ways. From your swing to your equipment bag, your back is at risk. However, there are a few things you can do to help limit your risk of injury and help keep you out on the golf course.

Your Swing

The repetitive nature of a golf swing is what causes many back injuries. The rotation of a swing places your back in an unnatural position and places stress on your back. This stress causes the muscles to become tight and this can cause damage to muscles and bones in the area.

As many golfers are weekend players, fitness levels may not be the same as players you see on the Tour. Because of this, the risk for injury to back muscles increases. In order to help reduce that risk, you must look at regular fitness programs that target the muscles you use during your swing. Strengthening your core muscles is essential. Don’t forget to stretch and warm-up before your round of golf begins.

Poor swing mechanics can also contribute to back pain. If you find yourself suffering from pain after every round of golf, consider setting up an appointment with a golf instructor to have your swing evaluated. A professional can determine what you may be doing wrong and how it might be contributing to your pain.

Choose Wheels

If your back is a problem on the course, consider dropping your bag. Rent a golf cart of get yourself a bag with wheels. The average weight of a golf bag is between 20-50 pounds. When this weight is placed on one side of your body, it can cause pressure on your lower back. Considering the average time for 18 holes can be a few hours, reducing the amount of weight and stress you place on your back is essential, especially given the fact your swing is already causing muscle stress.

Use Your Knees

While many people may not think about this, one area that can cause problems in your back occurs after you have got the hole in the cup. Simply bending over to grab your ball out of the cup is enough to cause stress on your back. Instead of just bending over at the waist to reach for that ball, bend your knees and lower your entire body down.

With just these few tips, you can help reduce the risk of back injury and keep yourself out on the course enjoying the game you love.

So, if you love to play golf, then don’t let existing back pain or the possibility of back pain keep you away from the golf course.  Back pain and golf don’t both have to be a part of your life if you take the proper precautions.  Watch the video below for some useful tips.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

Back Pain and Golf

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Filed Under: Back Strengthening Exercises, Chronic Back Pain Management, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

December 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The holiday season brings us a lot of things, i.e. good food, gifts and fellowship with friends and family.  But, unfortunately, sometimes we also get back pain during the holiday season.  Hanging lights and other decorations for the season, traveling and other activities add to the stress of our lives, which in turn can add to our back pain.  The article below, from two doctors, gives us some suggestions on how to avoid an increase in back pain during the holiday.

Drs. Peter Moley and Alice Chen, both physiatrists in Greenwich, see a large increase in patients suffering from back pain between now and the end of the year. “For some, it starts when people try to lift a heavy package and hurt their backs,” says Dr. Chen, who lives in Weston and will be joining the Affiliated Physicians Office of Hospital for Special Surgery in Greenwich in early January.

Once someone has back pain — and the most common area is the lower back — there’s an 80 percent chance they will have back pain again, according to Dr. Moley, who lives in Darien and sees patients at the Affiliated Physicians Office in Greenwich and at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Physiatrists are specialists in the nonsurgical treatment of muscle and joint conditions, as well as spinal and sports-related injuries. Drs. Chen and Moley say back pain is the most common reason for patient visits. Indeed, it’s the leading cause of disability in Americans under age 45. More than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20-64 experience frequent back pain.

It often gets worse this time of year, and the doctors point to a number of reasons.

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

Back Pain During The Holiday Season

Stress is a major culprit. It tends to make back pain worse, according to Dr. Chen. “People think it’s a happy time of year, but it’s also very stressful,” she says.

“People are running around shopping, they’re trying to meet deadlines. People are stuck in traffic and they’re in their car longer, which may lead to back and neck pain. They’re walking in the mall for hours with heavy packages. It can be an emotional and sad time for people who have lost family members. All of these factors can lead to back pain or make a minor problem worse.”

Even everyday chores at home can cause problems because there’s so much more to do this time of year. “I’ve seen people develop back pain after standing for many hours when cooking for the holidays. I’ve treated patients with neck and hand injuries from frantically knitting or crocheting for hours on end to finish a project for the holidays,” Dr. Chen says.

Research shows that emotional stress or mental pain can turn into physical pain. Depression and stress deplete certain brain chemicals that play a role in controlling pain, according to Dr. Chen. When these chemicals are diminished, pain gets worse.

With so much to do, people also get run down this time of year. “You don’t sleep well, you many not have time to eat right, you don’t have time to exercise. It’s no wonder we see more patients this time of year,” Dr. Moley says.

Drs. Chen and Moley have the following tips to maintain spine health and enjoy the holidays pain-free:

Put things in perspective.

Make sure you’re getting enough rest.

If a package is heavy, ask for help. If you do lift, remember to bend from the KNEES.

Slow down and take breaks. Don’t overdo it.

Stay focused on the task at hand and be mindful to avoid an accident.

Don’t forget to do your exercises and stretching during the holiday season.

Don’t say “I don’t have time to attend to my pain.” Don’t ignore initial symptoms.

If you do develop back pain, the doctors advise resting for two days and taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. If the pain is not better in two days, or if you have sharp, excruciating pain that radiates down your leg, see a doctor.

Dr. Moley says when you see a physician, the doctor should spend ample time with you, taking a good medical history, performing a physical exam and ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, such as x-rays. “The doctor must spend time with the patient to get to the root of the problem and prescribe the best individualized treatment plan,” he says. “Our goal is to restore function and mobility, and once the patient is pain-free, we encourage him or her to develop good habits to maintain spine health for life.”

Not only are these suggestions good for lessening back pain during the holiday season, they are also good suggestions for the entire year.  Any habits that you can acquire that will improve your back health are to be taken seriously.  So, while having a good time during the holiday season, please also take precautions with your back health.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Better Back News, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Back Pain During The Holidays

December 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

To continue our post from yesterday, December is not only a dangerous time for slips and falls in icy conditions, it’s also the time when people are decorating their homes in anticipation of Hanukkah and Christmas holidays.  Climbing and reaching motions are necessary to hang the decorations.  Sometimes we might not be as careful as we should, and the result is a back injury or back strain of some kind, which results in back pain during the holidays.

This article, which comes from a Florida television station,discusses the pitfalls involved in decorating one’s home for the holidays, and offers some tips to help avoid back pain during the holidays.

There weren’t any elves helping Chris Ressler put up his holiday decorations. He tackled the job himself.

“It’s a full day, it’s a full day yeah, it’s a full eight hour, ten hour day.”

Chris relied heavily on a small ladder when he circled his new home with twinkling lights.

“It’s mostly the icicle lights, it was real simple. Just plastic clips, they slip right over the gutter and right under the shingles.”

It’s an activity being played out all across the country, but in some cases the results are anything but jolly.

Christmas Decorating

Back Pain During The Holidays

“It’s a very, very common time of year for people to injure themselves either from pulling a muscle or falling off a ladder or lifting a piece of luggage that’s too heavy,” says Dr. Jon Kimball, an orthopedic spine surgeon on Lee Memorial Health System’s medical staff.

Who knew the holidays could be hazardous to your health. Putting up all these decorations sends tens of thousands of people to the hospital each year.

“Over 50,000 people last year visited the emergency departments as a result of decorating for the holiday,” says Dr. Kimball.

There are a few trouble spots to look out for, with ladders topping the list.

“When people fall off ladders, they’ll break wrists, shoulders, hips ankles but also very commonly if people fall onto their back side they’ll have a compression fracture of their spine,” says Dr. Kimball.

It’s important to use a ladder that’s tall enough and keep it on a level surface, and no climbing on something else to get an extra few inches.

“People will step on anything to get those holiday decorations up, but unfortunately they’re not very steady and will often have a spill,” says Dr. Kimball.

Another holiday crasher: heavy lifting. Whether its getting down boxes or hoisting up decorations, a good rule of thumb is to break the job into smaller loads with more trips, and use correct posture.

“Try and bend with the knees and lift with the leg muscles rather than lifting with the back or even the arms,” says Dr. Kimball.

Chris admits taking a few liberties, but his starry vision is still in progress.

“Maybe a few more lights in the trees.”

If there’s any doubt about safety just remember to watch your back.

Even though you and your family are anxious to get those holiday decorations up, take a few extra moments to hang those decorations in a safe manner without any unnecessary stretching or reaching.  Think before you act and the chances will be much better than you can avoid back pain during the holidays.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

As a bonus, here’s an interview conducted by a New Orleans television station with an orthopedist who gives some good suggestions on how to avoid back pain during the holidays.

Avoid Back Pain During the Holidays

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Filed Under: Better Back News, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms

Back Problems – Prevention

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Winter is here, maybe a little early, but it is here.  Winter means sports such as skiing, ice skating, hockey, sledding, etc.  It also means icy roads, sidewalks and parking lots.  And then there’s the snow that must be shoveled.  Any of these activities can lead to back problems, so naturally that leads us to the topic of back problems – prevention. This great article, by Drs. Brenda and Eric Slovin, offers some very worthwhile suggestions that you should review with your family as well as your co-workers.  Just a few minutes of your time could help prevent some back problems and misery for someone you care about.

As we dig into our closets looking for our skis, skates and snow shovels most don’t think of how often these fun-filled activities can lead to debilitating lower back pain.

A few of the most notable causes for injuries during the winter include: Slips and falls (especially when icy), show shoveling and sports injuries.

  • Slips and Falls — when the temperature starts to drop below freezing, many are likely to hurt themselves either from a slightly bruised ego or from a good bump to the pelvis. Fractures and sprains to the wrist, and shoulder are also quite common this time of year. If you are one of the unlucky ones to find yourself flat on your back, check in with your chiropractor. The jarring effects of a fall can easily move your sacroiliac joints out of their normal position causing you lower back pain, sciatica and even numbness or tingling in your toes.
  • Snow Shoveling — winter snow looks so fluffy … how deceiving! As we
    Back Problems - Prevention

    Back Problems - Prevention

    clear our walkways and driveways of the frozen stuff, we quickly learn it’s not as easy as first imagined. Snow packs together quickly, making it dense and heavy, and as the temperatures drop below freezing, well, as most of us know, ice is almost impossible to clear without help from heavy automated equipment. Generally, shoveling is great exercise; it puts a strong demand on the heart and works all the muscles of your lower and middle back. It’s for those very same reasons, when done improperly or without care, that it can also lead to injuries such as strains and sprains of the lower back, wrists, elbows, knees and shoulders, and puts some of us at greater risk for a heart attack.

If you’re looking to prevent “shovelitis”, follow these helpful steps:

  • Warm up by stretching those tight muscles and by jogging in place for a few minutes before heading out into the cold. Warm muscles don’t get injured as quickly as cold ones can.
  • Don’t overload the shovel with snow. One shovelful can weigh up to 25 pounds.
  • Always lift with your legs, always bend with your knees, never your back.
  • Never bend and twist. This is the worst possible combination for your lower back. If you want a back problem, this is the way to get one. Push the snow in front of you, never throwing it over your shoulder.
  • Spray your shovel with WD40. The snow will slide easily off the shovel, making shoveling much easier.
  • Take a break. This is will help you from becoming overtired, when you are most likely to injure yourself.
  • Winter Sports — sports such as skiing, snowboarding, hockey and sledding are not only a blast, they are one of the most popular reasons for winter injuries. Crashes are common on the mountains. Trees, bushes and other people don’t make for soft landings. Whiplash, concussions and injuries such as sprains and strains of just about every joint you can think of, always manage to surround these high speed sports. Always wear a helmet and use common sense.

The journal Spine recently published an article stating that chiropractic treatment of the lower back is one of the most effective options for pain relief. So if anyone is a painful victim of “shovelitis”, or manages to make their way into the trees while headed down the mountain, their next step should be an appointment with their chiropractor, who is a specialist at this stuff.

Whether or not you are a fan of winter, you must be prepared for the consequences of winter weather.  Don’t add a lot of unnecessary expense and agony to your life by injuring yourself in the winter snow or ice.  Focus on the prevention of back problems!

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Back Pain Medications, Better Back News, Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Low Back Pain Physical Therapy, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Spasms, Treatment Options

Back Problems While Lifting

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many people’s back problems while lifting are the result of improper lifting techniques. If people would just take the time to take some basic training on proper lifting techniques, they could save themselves a lot of pain and money.  The following article gives some guidance on proper techniques for lifting that will help avoid back problems.

Sixty percent of the visits to Intermountain WorkMed Physical Therapy are related to lower back pain.

Since the clinic is located in a primarily industrial area, many of those visits are due to problems associated with incorrect lifting, said Brad Dalton, a physical therapist there. In fact, correct lifting techniques are taught to nearly every patient who sets foot inside the facility, as it is a good way to prevent additional or further injury.

Even just slight forward leaning movements can increase the force of a person’s body weight on their spine up to 200 percent. Add a 20-pound parcel or package in the arms of someone lifting incorrectly, and the back could be bearing 10 times the weight of that package.

“You don’t ever want to over do it,” Dalton said.

Correct lifting includes a squared stance, squatting and lifting with the strength of the legs and not bending the back, and keeping objects close to the body throughout the duration of the movement, he said.

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen in the real world workplace,” which Dalton said is another reason why regular exercise and core-strengthening movements are extra important. With the correct treatment and therapy, he said nearly every lower back injury can be overcome.

Dalton, along with Dr. Scott Swasey, a specialist at the Intermountain Medical Center’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, will be featured in Saturday’s Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Hotline, where they will take questions about back pain and available treatment options. From 10 a.m. until noon, people can call 1-800-925-8177 or post questions on the Deseret News’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/desnews.

Treatment for lower back pain can include spinal manipulation or mobilization, instruction for specific exercises and/or movements that will strengthen the area, or even unloading or providing traction to the spine, separating the links of the spine. But all procedures can be done with help from a therapist and plans are tailored to meet the needs of each patient.

“I would never encourage someone to baby it or give into bed rest,” Dalton said. “That is always worse than anything else, as getting the muscles and joints moving doesn’t harm it, but helps it.”

Sixty percent of lower back injuries, he said, will be better within two to three weeks, and 90 percent of them are rectified within six weeks. Only about 10 percent of lower back injuries will lead to chronic pain.

“Back pain is one of the most frustrating and most debilitating injuries that people can experience because it affects all movements and all of your daily activities,” Dalton said, adding that physical therapy often includes a lot of encouragement and emotional support, telling the patient that “they will get through this.”

Yoga and Pilates are helpful to stretch and strengthen core muscles that support the spine below the rib cage, and Dalton said a lot of the same principles used in the popular exercise routines are used in physical therapy.

Physical therapy is offered throughout the state in multiple settings, at clinics, at home and in hospitals, and is used to restore function in a variety of cases, including dealing with the nervous system and skin in wound care, as well as orthopedics and acute care. People of all ages can be assisted and it is common practice for sports teams and/or schools to retain a physical therapist.

While some insurance plans still require a doctor’s referral to physical therapy, technically Utah state law precludes it. As a direct access state, referrals for muscle and joint pain care from a therapist are not necessary, unless it is a worker’s compensation claim.

The Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Hotline focuses on back pain and advances in treatment options. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dr. Scott Swasey, a specialist with Intermountain Medical Center’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, and Intermountain WorkMed physical therapist Brad Dalton will answer questions. Call 800-925-8177 or post questions during that time on the Deseret News’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/desnews.
To view the original source of this article, please click here.
Learning properly lifting techniques should take place BEFORE you start the heavy lifting.  If you don’t, then you will probably end up with back pain sooner or later.  This following video will give you some specific guidance on how to avoid back problems while lifting.

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Filed Under: Back Strengthening Exercises, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Low Back Pain Physical Therapy, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Lower Back Spasms, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain, Treatment Options

Chronic Lumbar Strain

July 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

One of the most common causes of back pain is straining of the back muscles.  All it takes is for one to bend or twist or turn suddenly or in an awkward position and then, before you know it, you have strained your back muscles.  Chronic lumbar strains are common among people who work at a desk all week long–who are not accustomed to physical labor.  After working at a desk all week, they then attempt some physical activity over the weekend and cause a strain or injury to the back.  Many of these back muscle strains are minor in nature and can be treated with bed rest and over-the-counter medication.  One way to prevent back strain is to adopt a regular exercise program–exercise during the week and get your muscles accustomed to regular workouts, rather than only having physical activity over the weekend.  It will not only benefit your back, but will also be great for your cardiovascular system and your overall health!

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Filed Under: Chronic Lumbar Strain, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain Tagged With: ,