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    Common Golf Injuries And How Massage Can Be Used To Alleviate Them

    Golf, being one of the most popular games out there, is enjoyed by many people around the world. One of the problems that are normally associated with it is the fact that people who engage in it end up getting a number of injuries, particularly if they do not have the right technique in playing golf. Most people who watch golf tend to think that it’s a pretty laid back game, and that the chances of any injury are minimal. However, the truth of the matter is that there are certain parts of the body that are usually stressed when playing the game, and end up getting injured in one way or the other.

    There are a number of injuries that are normally associated with golfing including:

    1. Back pain :

    When playing golf, it’s usually necessary to swing the club with as much upper strength as possible. Achieving maximum power when doing this often requires that one rotates their spine in order to achieve the greatest swing possible. However, it’s important to remember that this places a lot of pressure on the bones of the spine, and this can then manifest as lower back pain. Some of the ways in which this happens includes when the disc prolapses, as well as when some of the bones of the spine go out of alignment. In addition to that, if you happen to suffer from arthritis already, playing golf in a very vigorous manner could place a lot of strain on a spine that is already compromised, leading to increased back pain.

    2. Elbow injury :

    The two commonest injuries noted by golf players are golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow. The former is pain that arises from the inner side of the elbow, while the latter is from the outer side. These types of injury arise due to stressing of the tendons that attach to these parts of the elbow, resulting in inflammation. In a few cases, the pain may turn out to be so severe as to cause inability to use the arm, which can be prevented. The commonest form of this type of elbow injury is tennis elbow.

    3. Rotator cuff injuries :

    The rotator cuff refers to a group of muscles and tendons that insert around the shoulder and whose role is to keep it stable. These structures are very important in reducing the risk of dislocation. However, due to the nature of golfing, some of the tendons usually end up being subjected to a lot of strain, and this usually leads to shoulder pain. Some of the factors that can predispose to this type of pain include the presence of arthritis or a medical condition known as acromioclavicular joint arthritis.

    4. Carpal tunnel syndrome :

    Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when one of the major nerves supplying the hand, the median nerve, ends up being entrapped in the wrist. This is usually caused by repetitive motions that result in irritation of the tissues around the median nerve, resulting in edema and compression of the nerve. Since the pain can be very severe, it can result in one not being able to play golf for some time.

    5. De Quervain’s tendinitis :

    This is a condition in which the tendons that control the thumb become inflamed. It usually manifests as severe pain around the thumb region, and can result in inability to use the thumb for a few days. How massage can help alleviate and prevent the symptoms The above are just a few of the many injuries that most golfers suffer. A number of strategies can be adopted to either reduce the pain associated with them or avoid the conditions altogether. Some of these include simply making sure that your technique is perfect, and that you generally keep fit. However, one thing that most people don’t consider is the use of massage to keep these symptoms at bay. However, you will find that simply getting a regular massage can do a lot to help you avoid all the above, and enjoy playing golf even more. Getting regular massages, such as before you engage in a game of golf, can help make your muscles suppler. This will in turn make it easier for you to have more fluid motions when you are playing the game, and this will in turn go a long way in reducing the chances of either acquiring the above problems, or having them become worse with time. It is important that you get the massages frequently for you to reap their benefits maximally. If you already suffer from any of these problems, you can also use massage as a means of treating them. There are many mechanisms that make this ideal. For one, massaging the affected part will help in reducing pain, which in turn will make the conditions more bearable. In addition to that, massage also has a role in increasing blood supply to various parts of the body. Increased blood supply is synonymous with improved supply of nutrition and oxygen to the affected tissue. This in turn increases the chances of the tissue healing, which will help alleviate most of these symptoms. For the massages to be effective, they have to be professionally done. A qualified masseuse will be able to figure out the main parts of the body that are associated with the type of injury you suffer from, and then provide the massage in such a manner that it will not result in further damage to that area. As you can imagine, this is a process that often requires a lot of skill on the part of the masseuse, which means that you can’t afford to work with one who is not very experienced in providing this type of service. In summary, golf is associated with many injuries, and there are many things you can do to prevent them from progressing or limiting your ability to enjoy the game. Massage is often not thought of as one of the ways of doing this, but it is in fact a very effective method of pain relief when carried out correctly. Getting massage from qualified professionals will help you recover quickly im case you have an injury.