More than 25 million people enjoy golfing. Many avid golfers contort their bodies into oddly twisted postures, generating a great deal of torque. Couple this motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you've got a good workout - and a recipe for potential lower back trouble.

The problem is compounded in amateurs because they notoriously use poor swing mechanics that cause stress on the low back. Learning proper swing technique is critical. At the end of the swing, you want to be standing up straight; the back should not be twisted. To make a proper swing, you need unrestricted joint motion in the spine and pelvis. If your joint motion is restricted, you will be unable to make a complete weight shift during the backswing.

The body works best when the spine is in a neutral, athletic, and balanced position. You cannot optimize your performance if you have posture problems, flexibility issues, or muscle groups not performing correctly.

To increase your flexibility and prevent injury, warm up before you tee off. Take a brisk walk to get the blood flowing to the muscles and then do a set of stretches. Make gentle swings to both sides of the body to allow the muscles to function better. Every few holes, take a few practice swings with the opposite hand to keep your muscles balanced and even out stress on the back.

Most golf injuries can be prevented through proper conditioning, good posture, and warming up. Professional golfers know the value of chiropractic. If your spine is not in the correct position, you will have mechanical and neurological deficits that will hurt your game.

Even if you are not in pain from a golf injury, you can benefit from chiropractic care, which improves posture, increases and improves flexibility, restores proper nerve function, and improves lumbar rotation. Chiropractors can also provide advice for golfers to help them decrease the stresses and strains placed on their bodies.

For more information, contact Dr. Wendy at haydenhealth@gmail.com.