May I Play Golf With My Arthritis?
Great news for those suffering from arthritis! Scientists have recently established that not only you won’t have to quit playing golf, but also that your favorite sport can even help improve the symptoms of arthritis (adding strength and mobility to your joints).
As we know, doing exercise is one of the best ways to treat osteoarthritis symptoms. It’s a pain reliever which is able to fantastically improve your mood, increase your flexibility, help you to ameliorate your cardiovascular system, to maintain your weight and to make you generally in better health!
All of the areas that osteoarthritis usually affects are used in playing golf
As we know, osteoarthritis normally comes on very gradually. First, joints may be sore after working hard physically or exercising. Any joint may be affected by osteoarthritis, but it usually occurs in the hands, hips, knees, or spine and they are all solicited when you play golf.
So, don’t let arthritis worry you. Playing golf can also help increase your balance and your range of motion. If you walk the golf course, you will benefit your health even more! That is why golf is one of the exercises that is recommended for someone with osteoarthritis!
Here is what you need to remember – there are many special products that are produced just to make golf easier on your joints and body.
The Arthritis Foundation or arthritis.org has some tips for arthritic golfers that can help you enjoy golfing and they even suggest products that can enable you to enjoy it even more!
Wrist braces and gloves are a great tool to wear when you play golf. Stabilizing the joints in your hands and wrists will help your osteoarthritis and both of these items are not very expensive.
A lower compression ball is also a great training aid.
Wearing spikeless golf shoes may be much more comfortable for you. There are new products introduced all the time. Ask your local golf store associate or golf pro if there are any products that they recommend to make golf easier on your joints.
One thing you must know and very important, is to always warm up before you play golf. Swing a few times for practice, and stretch your muscles. Swing half-strength at first and don’t try to hit the ball too hard. Everyone should warm up and start swinging slowly. A hard swing is not necessary, it is accuracy that is most important!
Use tees when you play golf. It will help.
Water is very important for any golf player while you are playing. When you begin to feel tired, rest a bit. It is not a rule that you have to play all 18 holes. You need to make sure you enjoy the game.
When you feel sore after you play, here are a few tips to relieve your pain and stiffness:
- A warm shower can feel great on stiff muscles,
- Gently stretch your muscles,
- Apply an ice pack to any sore areas,
- Sore joints need to be rested,
- Magnetic therapy has been found to work.
Keep your weight at a healthy level. If you carry too much weight, it can make your hips and knees hurt.
If you are still in pain for more than 1 hour after playing golf, then you need to consult your doctor or physical therapist. Work with them to see if there are ways to adjust your game if you notice any of the following symptoms of over exercise:
- Unexplained or chronic tiredness,
- Feeling weak,
- Decreased range of motion,
- Joint swelling increases,
- Pain that continues for more than one hour after exercising.
Actually, golf coupled with proper warm ups can really help your osteoarthritis and it is fun too!
Entries (RSS)
[...] you want to learn more infos about golf with arthritis, stop by and read my [...]