Overcoming Back Injury from Golf

by William
(Virginia)

I have had first-hand experience with overcoming back injury. I hurt mine one Christmas after my wife presented me with new golf clubs. It was warm during that season, unseasonably warm, and I decided to give them a try at the local driving range here in Northern Virginia. Needless to say, I wasn't the only one trying out their new toys.

Of course, I was immediately drawn to large, titanium woods (ones I had never owned and always wanted to try). I walked up to the tee, without any warm-up exercise whatsoever, pulled out my driver, and took one long, hard swing in an effort to hit the ball as hard and as far as I could. I immediately felt the pain and doubled over! That was the last swing that I've ever taken with these clubs, and that swing was over three years ago.

A doctor's visit, MRI, physical therapy, and drugs followed on the heels of that swing. A herniated disk was the diagnosis, and my doctor suggested surgery - a solution I want to avoid at all costs. We tried many things... nothing seemed to work until I tried some rather strange home remedies for back pain.

In the morning, I put a water bottle (around 85% full, in the freezer and then in the evening I wrap it in a kitchen towel and apply it as an ice pack to my lower back. It definitely helps alleviate much of my daily pain.

In addition, I also drive with any of the following items between my back and the driver's seat: a tennis ball, a soda/water bottle filled with liquid, one of my metal coffee warmers - anything hard and circular seems to work.

These remedies may not be recommended by physicians, but they genuinely have helped my back by providing some effective support, coolness and strength that I didn't receive from therapy and/or exercise.

My wife, who also suffers from back problems, has tried these remedies on long drives, and they seem to work. Give them a try! They may provide you with some relief and help avoid the most dreaded word for back sufferers - surgery.