Golf SciaticaGolf sciatica is an unfortunate part of the game for many professional and amateur players alike. Golf is a sport known for causing or contributing to back pain, although it is not inherently bad for the spine. The emotional aspects of the game can be just as blame-worthy as the physical facets, since many golfers are perfectionistic about their performance.
When playing golf, the back is subjected to incredible forces, including constant bending, torsion and torque. While these factors can cause injury, they are generally well tolerated, especially in experienced players whose anatomies have been conditioned over many years. Casual and occasional players are more prone to sudden structural injury. However, most golf related
back and leg pain
is muscular and does not involve any of the spinal structures. In some cases, a golf swing can cause or exacerbate a
herniated disc,
but this is rare. Typically muscular pulls, strains, tears and other injuries are par for the proverbial course… pardon the pun.
Golf can be a stressful game, aggravating already problematic personality tendencies, such as the desire to succeed, perfectionism and self criticism. Golf can function as the perfect
nocebo
when the emotional stress becomes too much to bear, necessitating symptoms in a
psychosomatic sciatica
syndrome. In these cases, the “injury” suffered during a golf swing is only perceived and the actual underlying sources of pain are psychological issues enacting regional
ischemia
in the back, legs or feet. This is one of the most common occurrences for patients who develop pain while playing or shortly after finishing a round on the course.
Golf Sciatica AdviceUpon physical exam, the patient might be diagnosed with an unspecific muscular injury related to golf. This is very common. If the pain heals in several days to several weeks, then the diagnosis is likely to be correct. If a more serious condition is discovered, such as spinal osteoarthritis or a herniated disc, there is a chance that this abnormality is indeed involved in the pain condition, but not necessarily. Remember that many spinal abnormalities are mere scapegoats for sciatica, not the actual source. Regardless of the diagnosis, long term pain is unlikely to be due to any anatomical reason. Most chronic sciatica is sourced from the mindbody process and will resist medical treatment leading to the highly stubborn pain syndromes I see everyday. The cure for this type of pain is knowledge therapy. If your pain is psychosomatically motivated, this treatment will have you feeling much better in a short time and you can be back on the golf course to enjoy your passion without the pain!Golf Sciatica to Sciatica 7/13/10 Revised 7/28/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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