Golf Information

Sciatica Exercises Alleviate Discomfort For Golfers


If you are fortunate enough to have never experienced sciatica, you may be wondering what it is. The sciatic nerves run from your lower back down each of your legs. They are the largest nerves in the body, growing to more than a half inch in diameter. Irritation or compression of these nerves, which can range from a mild tingly pain to excruciating pain that is debilitating, is referred to as sciatica. Many golfers experience lower back problems, and often this is due to sciatica.

If you experience sciatica, a few days of bed rest or lying on the couch is not the answer. Inactivity actually aggravates the problem. Weak or inflexible muscles can cause or intensify sciatica, so it is important to keep your back and abdominal muscles in good shape. While you don't need to spend hours at the gym, some strengthening and stretching of these muscles can provide a lot of good and get you back out on the golf course.

Before you begin an exercise program to treat sciatic pain, it is important to understand what is causing the pain. Usually this will need to be diagnosed by a medical professional. For example, if you have a herniated disc your pain is being caused by disc material bulging out and applying pressure on your nerve, which in turn irritates or compresses your sciatic nerve(s). If this is the problem in your case, stretching your back can be helpful. You can do this while lying on the floor on your stomach and raising your torso up off the floor.

If, however, your sciatic is caused by spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the nerve's passageway, then different exercises will be more useful in alleviating your pain. These include stretching your back by kneeling and bending your head toward the floor with your arms stretched in front of you. Also try lying on your back and gently pulling your knees to your chest for relief of your pain. The right exercises can alleviate your discomfort and help you better enjoy your golf game.

As with many lower back problems, a good preventative measure is to maintain good posture, stay within a healthy weight range, and exercise regularly. An appropriate fitness routine can help keep you pain-free while playing golf. The sciatic nerves are especially prone to flare up when you have weak muscles, poor posture or are overweight. Keeping your back in good shape before you have problems goes a long way in reducing your likelihood of future back pain. Whenever you experience pain or discomfort, you should always seek out the diagnosis of a physician so appropriate precautions and a diagnosis can be made for corrective strategies.

Susan Hill is a nationally recognized fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises or stretches, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Daily News

Giuliani's son sues Duke over golf team dismissal
The Associated Press - 3 hours ago
RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is suing Duke University, claiming his golf coach manufactured accusations against ...
Fore! Andrew Giuliani Swings Away, Sues Duke Golf Team Wall Street Journal Blogs
Ellis Henican Newsday
Giuliani son sues to get back on golf team United Press International
TransWorldNews (press release) - Gawker
all 294 news articles


Junior Golf Contest In Hartford Postponed
Hartford Courant, United States - 5 hours ago
By BRUCE BERLET | Courant Staff Writer WEST HARTFORD - The on-again, off-again US Girls' Junior Golf Championship is off for the day. ...
Golf: US Junior Girls Championship rained out Honolulu Advertiser
Girls' Junior washed out for the day Sports Network
Lendl Beaten In US Junior Golf Championship Hartford Courant
Hartford Courant - Hartford Courant
all 35 news articles


GOLF: CANADIAN OPEN
Globe and Mail, Canada - 14 hours ago
Chris DiMarco He's made only eight of 18 cuts this year, but his two best tournaments were among his past six. DiMarco has come close in some majors, ...
'Class gentleman' Furyk goes for his 3rd win National Post
Furyk seeks third consecutive Canadian Open crown AFP
Goosen the popular pick to get back on winning track - Golf ESPN
Reuters.uk - National Post
all 409 news articles


AsiaOne

Ron Kroichick on golf: Wie not ready for PGA this time
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 17 hours ago
Most of the top players will spend the week at the World Golf Championship event in Akron, Ohio, leaving the tournament in Reno flying well beneath the ...
Legends Reno-Tahoe Open PGA Golf Tournament About - Cities & Towns
Wie gets another chance to compete against men San Jose Mercury News
Forgettable moment for Wie Honolulu Advertiser
Golfweek.com - San Diego Union Tribune
all 49 news articles


BBC News

Quick 9 of golf for this week
Detroit Free Press, United States - Jul 23, 2008
2GREG NORMAN PLAYS GOLF ON HONEYMOON: Good for Norman -- who tied for third with Sweden's Henrik Stenson -- because if he's like most husbands, ...
Video: Greg Norman Surprises at British Open AssociatedPress
Golf: Champion impressed by the quality of Norman’s Birkdale ... WalesOnline
British Open Alone in Lead, Norman Looks to Make Golf History New York Times
WorldGolf.com - PGA.com
all 5,498 news articles


The Associated Press

New disability regs prompt chorus of concern
The Associated Press - 3 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of gallons of water pulse through cascading waterfalls and rapids at Adventure Mini Golf in Lake Worth, Fla. ...


Grayhawk Golf Club tees up video channel on YouTube
Bizjournals.com, NC - 51 minutes ago
The site, www.youtube.com/user/GrayhawkScottsdale, offers a catalog of videos produced by members, golf tips from instructors, clubhouse tours and ...


Royal Oak Elks Lodge gets golf balls for soldiers
Chicago Tribune, United States - 10 hours ago
The Royal Oak Elks Lodge is hoping golf balls will be a hit among US soldiers. The Detroit News reports the lodge and its 300 members spent nearly five ...


Telegraph.co.uk

GOLF: Bourne worker to play Royal Birkdale
Bourne Local, UK - 7 hours ago
Simon Goode, a 29-year-old senior credit analyst, will compete in the inaugural People's Open Golf tournament final day at Royal Birkdale on August 21. ...
£102k golf bet win simply divine East Lothian Courier
Fair weather golfer Morgan Messenger
Golf Notes: Davis Love gives his views on Americans at the British ... The Canadian Press
New Zealand Herald - North County Times
all 1,431 news articles


Canoe.ca

'I'm four over but there's more than one round in a golf tournament'
guardian.co.uk, UK - 5 hours ago
If last week offered Greg Norman a reminder of the adrenaline rush and levels of adulation golf at the highest level can offer, today was about harsh ...
Golf: Back problems test Woosie WalesOnline
Revitalised Norman says he has another major in him Scotsman
Norman struggles to 75 at Senior British Open The Associated Press
Kansas City Star - AFP
all 524 news articles

Golf - Google News

home | site map
© 2006