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Toronto ChiropractorLast Spring I attended a golf convention with my friend, a medical doctor.
During our trip to the convention, I mentioned to him that golfing contributes to back pain, and that the research literature points to the fact that the longer one plays golf, the more back conditions the player will have.
I then went on to state that I could shake golfers’ hands and tell whether they had back pain or not. He said there was no way that was possible, there was no relationship between hand shaking and back pain!
I told him it was possible, so he bet me $100 to prove that I could shake golfers’ hands and tell if they had back pain. We decided that I would shake the hands of random people at the convention, ask if they were golfers, and if they identified themselves as golfers, I would signal to him whether they had back pain or not. He would then ask them to verify my findings.
I had to be better than 50% to win the $100. I came out with a record of 9 out of 10. One I missed--I am not sure why. My friend was baffled! I told him that as I shook people’s hands and identified them as golfers, I used my left hand to grip their elbow joint. If the inside aspect of the elbow was sore (golfer’s elbow), it indicated that they had back pain. He became even more baffled.
I had to explain to him from a mechanical perspective the motion involved in a golf swing, and that people with back pain have difficulty following through with their swing. In order to help their drive, they chipped with their wrist, causing pain at the medial aspect of their elbow!
My friend finally understood my method. He said I had cheated—that was not common knowledge. So, I paid for his lunch out of the $100 I had won from him.
I went on to mention to him that as the golfer strengthens his low back with specific exercises which support that swinging motion, their back pain decreases and their performance improves. Performance is measured by the increased number of games played per week, and the distance they can now hit the ball.
Needless to say, my friend was amazed and asked if I could provide him with that low back exercise program. He plays tennis, and I explained that it could help any sport activity. The program consists of specific exercises that address key muscles in your core—trunk, low back and pelvic region. The exercises decrease your pain and increase your sports performance, as long as you do the exercise program regularly.
Please share this article with your family, friends and colleagues.
Best regards,
Dr. Don
Click here to find out more about how Dr. Don Fitz-Ritson can help your back pain in Toronto.
