Lower Back Pain and Golf

[mecoleman]

I'm sure I'll get a lot of responses to this post, so first let me apologize for its length. I am/was a marathoner. I'm having to give it up because the constant, repetitive pounding really took a toll on the discs in by lower back. I do notice, however, that when I golf or practice swings, my back is not bothered by the torque -- in fact, golfing actually makes my back feel better. I guess I don't have a problem with "glute activation" (sorry -- couldn't resist the Tiger reference). Anyway, I'm going for a epidural cortisone/steroid injection in my lower back in a few days to ease the pain. Has anyone had any similar issues where the motions associated with the golf swing actually help pain and range of motion in the lower back?

[vangator]

My nephew is on 100% disability due to a bad back. He can not bend forward at the waist. He can't even sit for very long. However he can play golf and can pound the ball. Somehow I think something's wrong. He get painkillers (Vicodin I think) in the biggest prescription bottles I've ever seen. The bottle looks like a tall boy. Hundreds of them.

[mecoleman]

My nephew is on 100% disability due to a bad back. He can not bend forward at the waist. He can't even sit for very long. However he can play golf and can pound the ball. Somehow I think something's wrong. He get painkillers (Vicodin I think) in the biggest prescription bottles I've ever seen. The bottle looks like a tall boy. Hundreds of them.

Man! Good news on the golf -- not so good on the pills. Not that bad.

[vangator]

Man! Good news on the golf -- not so good on the pills. Not that bad.

I feel real bad for him. He was a great athlete in HS too. We're pretty close. We'll be playing this summer when I get home.

[rob0225]

My spine is fused T3 to L2 and I have lower back pain.  I also get steroid shots to help with the lower back pain.

Playing golf actually lessens the pain,  I suppose it's because it helps stretch me out.  I can walk 27 holes and feel fine.

I've also recently taken running back up and a friend who is an ultra runner recommended Hoka running shoes.  Best thing ever, they absorb the impact shock running normally causes.

[snackdaddy]

I've had back problems for years.  I only notice it at the practice range though.  Practicing chipping is the worst.  That slight bend really starts to hurt after a few minutes.  I starting bending a little lower when I practice putts and it helps.  Its that in between bend that bothers me the most.  Out on the course it isn't a problem.  Its only when I hit 25 or more balls in that slight bend position it hurts.

[dunlucedreams]

I'm sure I'll get a lot of responses to this post, so first let me apologize for its length. I am/was a marathoner. I'm having to give it up because the constant, repetitive pounding really took a toll on the discs in by lower back. I do notice, however, that when I golf or practice swings, my back is not bothered by the torque -- in fact, golfing actually makes my back feel better. I guess I don't have a problem with "glute activation" (sorry -- couldn't resist the Tiger reference). Anyway, I'm going for a epidural cortisone/steroid injection in my lower back in a few days to ease the pain. Has anyone had any similar issues where the motions associated with the golf swing actually help pain and range of motion in the lower back?

i feel your pain. i have Bertolotti's syndrome and arthritis of L4 and L5. in turn causing a worn disc between the two. not bad for 39 years old!

my surgeon has actually used my xrays at medical conventions to show a 'good' example of multiple lower back anomalies!

this is part genetic/hereditary (the Bertolottis's) and part excessive degeneration (far too much lifting, football and running from 15 -35 years old)

i found that running and even cycling aggravates my back chronically and in golfing terms too much time spent in bent positions is a killer ie. putting or chipping practice.

a normal round is no issue unless the ground underneath is excessively heavy-but this is more about the walking in mud/wet grass whilst carrying for 4 hours as opposed to the action of the golf swing. i really must do more to stay on the short grass where its less heavy!

a hot bath is always good before and after a round.

[LTHardy]

I have two bulging discs in my lower back pressing onto one of my nerves that run down my left leg. Had it for about a year and a half and actually took up golf due to the relatively low impact it has on your spine compared to more active sports that I used to enjoy. I don't feel any pain generally when I play or practice at the range, with a proper stretch (which should be done regardless) I feel fine, picking up balls and placing them on the tees is where I do get pain if any. I do feel like my poor flexibility does have a small affect on my shoulder turn on occasions. Had the steroid injection 3 weeks ago but haven't had any pain relief from it at all, which is very annoying.

[joekelly]

@LTHardy.  Have you, and ortho doc, considered laminectomy surgery?  Bulging discs do press on nerves, esp the sciatic nerve down either leg, and may cause further grief in time.  And possibly, eg. if in a car accident or fall, the nerve could get severed = big ouch and maybe wheelchair.

Can recommend one yoga pose i have found useful for leg nerve and lower back muscles which is the 'half moon' posture.  Many UTube yoga sites are poor, IMO, but this one is fair.

It's take a lot of concentration, and some failures, to get good results.  But progress happens pretty fast.  Use a chair nearby for balance, no real need to get hand near floor.  Important things are one leg straight and strong on the floor, the other leg up high as can be and the hips open, more or less in same plane as shoulders. Keep at it for one week and you will learn something about your butt muscles.

[LTHardy]

@LTHardy.  Have you, and ortho doc, considered laminectomy surgery?  Bulging discs do press on nerves, esp the sciatic nerve down either leg, and may cause further grief in time.  And possibly, eg. if in a car accident or fall, the nerve could get severed = big ouch and maybe wheelchair.

Can recommend one yoga pose i have found useful for leg nerve and lower back muscles which is the 'half moon' posture.  Many UTube yoga sites are poor, IMO, but this one is fair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haRAb8sxnbo

It's take a lot of concentration, and some failures, to get good results.  But progress happens pretty fast.  Use a chair nearby for balance, no real need to get hand near floor.  Important things are one leg straight and strong on the floor, the other leg up high as can be and the hips open, more or less in same plane as shoulders. Keep at it for one week and you will learn something about your butt muscles.

yeah my spinal consultant has mentioned that procedure but wanted to give the steroid injection a go first, giving myself more time to recover without surgery. He said I should feel pain relief within the first 2 weeks but its been almost 4 now and still the same as ever.

Ive not heard of that pose before but am more than happy to give it a try, looks like it might be difficult to do though. Will definitely throw it  into my morning routine of stretching and see how I get on.

Thanks for the info

[cooke119]

I started a thread on Golf Talk about back surgeries, I have had three (L5S1). The surgeries really helped the pain down the legs, completely gone but I do experience pain after about 14 holes if I walk, so I usually ride now. If you have pain down the legs that means the sciatic nerve is under pressure and you should really get that taken care of. One thing about back surgery, at least the laminectomies I have had is that they are basically painless, The wound from the surgery takes a while to heal,  and they usually want you off your feet for a few weeks, I mean you can get up and walk around just not sitting or standing for any great length of time.

My problem is it has impacted how much I can turn my trunk on the backswing and I have lost distance so I have to club up for distance. I find that golf does help me, keeps my mind off of it and the stretching helps as well.

All I can say is that if you are in pain, get to a good neurosurgeon, have an MRI and follow his or her direction. Do not be in fear of the surgery, if really doesn't hurt and you'll feel a lot better. I cannot comment on having a fusion, haven't had one although I'm told if I have one more problem I have to have one.

Good luck

[biggolfer]

I'm sure I'll get a lot of responses to this post, so first let me apologize for its length. I am/was a marathoner. I'm having to give it up because the constant, repetitive pounding really took a toll on the discs in by lower back. I do notice, however, that when I golf or practice swings, my back is not bothered by the torque -- in fact, golfing actually makes my back feel better. I guess I don't have a problem with "glute activation" (sorry -- couldn't resist the Tiger reference). Anyway, I'm going for a epidural cortisone/steroid injection in my lower back in a few days to ease the pain. Has anyone had any similar issues where the motions associated with the golf swing actually help pain and range of motion in the lower back

I'm sure I'll get a lot of responses to this post, so first let me apologize for its length. I am/was a marathoner. I'm having to give it up because the constant, repetitive pounding really took a toll on the discs in by lower back. I do notice, however, that when I golf or practice swings, my back is not bothered by the torque -- in fact, golfing actually makes my back feel better. I guess I don't have a problem with "glute activation" (sorry -- couldn't resist the Tiger reference). Anyway, I'm going for a epidural cortisone/steroid injection in my lower back in a few days to ease the pain. Has anyone had any similar issues where the motions associated with the golf swing actually help pain and range of motion in the lower back?

i have had a several epidural injections over the years for non golf related back issues...there are defiantly some things you can do to lessen lower back problems from golf or life in general..

core work: planks,superman's,stability ball work etc

leg training: more specifically hamstring and abductor strength

stretching/rolling: a very precise and well executed stretching pre round/range program and roll...get a foam roller for pre play and at home..

diet and body-weight/composition certainly play a factor along with stance...the more narrow your stance the more stress the lower back experiences when rotating due to it increases the ROM at your core..

i can see were people find Tiger's "glute activation" comment as odd or funny..but it makes sense too me since i'm involved in training...what he means in normal terms is he gets tight from his IT bands(hips) around his rear end and down to his hamstrings...so that feeling when you make the turn to get a burger and it takes way too long..you get to the 10th tee box and you feel all stiff...you swing and snap hook one cause your lower body is tight...that is "glute non activation"..Tiger needs to stretch more period!!

[LTHardy]

I spoke to a mate from the gym a few weeks ago and he was telling me about his laminectomy, had it about 4 months ago and now he feels no pain and is back playing football. He still has the reduced flexibility in his leg but is back to normal in every way.

Been back at the gym for approx. 2 months now going only twice a week and I do feel like its helping me, both physically and mentally. I normally do chest/shoulders/tris one day and back/legs (even deadlifts) the next, my body generally feels a lot more solid and stable. I think for too long I let it affect me too much, the more you live your normal life I think the better you feel. Was so unhappy going from keeping in great shape and playing competitive sports to zero exercise(apart from golf) for about a year.

[mcat12]

Searched 'lower back pain golf' and several threads popped up. Decided to tag onto this one since it seems to be most recent and relevant to my situation. Last Monday, I had my second epidural shot since actively managing my lower back pain. I'm 38 years old (5'11" 220 lbs) and over the years, I've done quite a number on my lower back. High School football, worked for a furniture moving company, very poor posture, heavy weightlifting for sports, and genetics (father also has a number of injuries from college and pro football). My official diagnosis: Displacement of Intervertebral Disc without Myelopathy; Lumbosacral Radiculitis My usual golf buddy, who's probably 55 yrs old and quite an athlete mentioned to me during a round, "You are the most out-of-shape young man I've ever known." He did not mean it in a harsh sense. More of a "Hey man, your only 38 and you have the health of a 90 yr old." referring to my lower back pain and lack of fitness and eating/drinking habits. His comment really made me think about taking better care of myself. Golf is important to me for fitness, competition, and social activities. Over the last year, I've made a very personal commitment to golf....not to mention financial commitment. This latest epidural shot is not having the same efficacy as the one prior (prior shot was about 1 year ago) and I'm scared to death that my golf career will come to an abrupt end.

[BC914]

I hate for my first post here to be seen as any kind of endorsement, but you guys should look at the book " The Flexible Golf Swing: A Cutting-Edge Guide to Improving Flexibility and Mastering Golf's True Fundamentals " by Roger Fredericks.  It's basically a book of "stretches" and drills to improve your flexibility regarding the golf swing.  The exercises are easy to do (mostly) and don't take a lot of time ( the stretches are kind of 'yoga -like').

I sit at a computer for 8 hours a day, and this book really helped me improve my flexibility.

I'm not associated with Fredericks or the book, I just bought it on a recommendation from a friend and found it helped.