As any native Minnesotan knows, summer is golfing season in the Twin Cities. However, as many take to the greens this month, many others are visiting iSpine Pain Physicians to discuss their golf-related back pain. These board-certified specialists understand that the last thing you want is an injury or pre-existing condition to limit your summertime game. Fortunately, they’ve put together a guide specifically for golfer’s seeking chronic pain relief.

Injuries & Risks

Although back pain is a complex condition with many contributing factors, the most common etiology among golfers is an injury to the facet joints. These structures both guide and limit spinal movement as well as protect against excessive rotation and flexion. Thus, when they become damaged, the individual may experience discomfort when twisting their back such as during a typical golf swing. 

The same bending and twisting that may damage the facet joint can also aggravate pre-existing symptoms. So, if you already suffer from chronic back pain, it pays to know how to find chronic pain relief.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Whether you sustained an injury while on the green or your pain has flared up after a few holes, the best course of action is to consult one of iSpine’s back pain specialists as soon as possible. These trained professionals will pinpoint the exact source of your discomfort and put you on course for lasting chronic pain relief.  

For most golf-related injuries, to the facet joint or otherwise, treatment is a blend of physical therapy, activity modification and medications such as anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants. If these conservative techniques don’t work, your back pain specialist may also recommend a lumbar facet joint nerve ablation. This out-patient procedure is both low-risk and non-invasive, yet it shares the same goal as the previous methods: to help you enjoy all your summertime golf outings sans back pain.

Just because you have chronic back pain doesn’t mean you can’t still practice your favorite sport. Rather, call iSpine Pain Physicians at (763) 201-8191 to make an appointment at their Chaska, Crystal, Delano or Maple Grove, MN office. For more chronic pain relief tips for athletes of all experience levels, visit their website.