Improving Your Golf Game through a Complementary Alternative Medicine Approach

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a gaining momentum in today’s work environments and in daily lifestyles. Becoming dissatisfied with conventional medicines and not wanting to take drugs, people are seeking different approaches to deal with health issues. The definition I like for CAM comes from Eisenberg 1993, “A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.” Some of the modalities that fall under the umbrella of CAM are: Chiropractic, Massage, Acupuncture / Traditional Asian Medicine, Yoga, and Homeopathy. This article focuses on two of the many CAM practices in use today – Chiropractic and Yoga - and how they benefit athletes, especially golfers. Let us look at the role of Chiropractic care in the sport of golf.

Chiropractic care offers the golfer the ability to play the sport longer and stay healthier by relieving one of the most common medical problems he/she will experience, back pain. The full golf swing rotates the spine with a lot of force and little control. The lower back pain could be a result of a displaced vertebra or muscle constriction.

Chiropractors are the musculoskeletal doctor that understands the mechanics of the spine. When under the care of a chiropractor, the golfer will receive manipulation and soft tissue work which increase the range of motion that will in turn improve the golf game. Also, the chiropractor can show the best movement for alignment of the spine to maximize the golfer’s swing.

Studies show that 70 to 75% of PGA golfers receive chiropractic care. Chiropractors have an array of goodies/techniques that are helpful to improve the golfer swing and over all game.

Next let’s discuss changing your thoughts to change your game through Yoga. Yoga equals yoke, union, or joining together. Yoga for golfers connects the physical with the mental. Many top athletes understand the connection of mind and body. We all have heard the words, “get your head in the game.” Yoga helps the golfer by keeping him/her in the moment and keeping the mind clear of mental distractions.

Golf is a sport in which the individual player determines the outcome. There is no team in golf. It is a mental game in which you have your internal coach, your mind, with you at all times. So to be successful in this mind game, the golfer must have a positive mind set.

Yoga can also help with the mechanical aspects of the swing through posture and breathing techniques that help the golfer move freely and to be relaxed.

Yoga is a technique that must be practiced to receive ultimate benefits. A Yoga instructor will show the golfer stretching and posture techniques that can improve your game.

The two CAMS discussed here, Chiropractic care and yoga, can help with the physical and mental development of a golfer’s game. So the golfer should keep an open mind and try something new.