Quick Tip for Golfers with Back Pain Saturday, October 18, 2008
I have treated a lot of golfers with back pain and this can be very challenging. The thing about back pain is that the cause can come from many different problems. So it takes a systematic assessment to help guide the exercise program.
I have personal experience with back pain and can tell you the one thing that gives me the most relief when I have a flare up is an exercise called the static back. It's goal is to unload the spine and decrease pain and spasm. So anytime you have a flare of low back pain try this simple exercise. Good Luck!
What Is Holding You Back? Monday, September 22, 2008
I recently read a report and viewed a video by Rich Schefren regarding constraints in your life that my be holding back your success. The information was specific to an internet business, but as I was reading I realized that his principles can apply to anything. So if you check out the information look past the specific examples and focus in on the underlying strategy.
The main points he refers to is that your success in anything is determined by your constraints, that is, the deep core beliefs that limit your success. If you apply it to golf you must look deep down to see what is really holding you back.
When it comes to improving your golf game we often use the reason of not having enough time to practice or exercise. This may be true but what is actually eating up your time during the day?, and how can that be changed? So if you are truly trying to improve your game or wanting to get into better physical shape, think hard on what may be holding you back. I know I'm going to contemplate this question on a daily basis.
So check out his blog and get his report by clicking here. Believe me when I say his report is worth the read. Good Luck!
Posted by Mark @ 12:05 PM
A Poweful Golf Swing With Super Stifness Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Because of my background in sports medicine & rehabilitation I take a special interest in injury prevention and rehab in golfers. I deal with a lot clients that have a history of back pain or have back pain when playing golf. Part of my interest is due to the fact that I also suffer from back pain from time to time. However, I have minimal flare ups because of my exercise program.
The reason I mention this is because I am always interested in what back pain research is telling us regarding prevention and sports performance. One individual that has influenced the way I work with golfers with back pain is Dr. Stuart McGill. I have read his books and heard him speak at workshops. I subsequently implemented some of his ideas into my programs (including my own).
He has taken the concept of "bracing" (stabilizing through the core) a step further when he applies it to sports performance. We have trained athletes and patients in abdominal bracing for many years but I really like his explanation and application of what he calls "Super Stiffness".
Now, how does this apply to golf? Well, the stability training we do in golf is essential in transferring forces through the body and out into the club head at impact. What I am going to do is let you read an article he wrote regarding the principle of super stiffness. The importance of the article is to reinforce the importance in systematically training for sports performance. So go here to read about super stiffness.
Good luck with your golf training!
Posted by Mark @ 1:42 PM
Correct That C-Posture Golf Set Up Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The set up to the golf swing is one of the most fundamental aspects of the swing. If your set up posture is bad, your swing will be bad. A common set up fault is the C-posture, that is, the slumped over position we often see. Your head is forward and curved down and the upper back and shoulders are excessively curved forward. This hunched over position really limits your shoulder turn and your ability to make a good backswing.
Sometimes the cause of this C-Posture is just a poor understanding of the golf set up position, but for the majority of golfers it is caused by muscle imbalances and joint restrictions that developed over time. The muscles in the upper back become weak and or tight. It is common for the lats and shoulder rotators to become tight. The lats attach on the back of the pelvis and go up the back and come under to the front of the shoulders. This is why the pelvis can have a strong influence on the shoulders & our upper body posture.
There are several exercises which help in restoring correct posture and upper back mobility. Here are 2 good ones I use quite often. If you have a C-posture in your set up, try these. Good Luck!
