To play golf well, a healthy full-functioning body is a necessity since injuries hurt performance. The most common injuries golfers experience are low back, wrist, elbow, and shoulder pain. The National Golf Fitness Society developed a list of do’s and don’ts for golfers to help reduce the chance of injury.

The first recommendation is to choose the right equipment. The clubs you use should fit your height. Clubs that are too short can put significant strain on your low back. Your shoes should be correctly fitted too. Improperly fitted shoes can hurt your swing and your back. Another recommendation is to take lessons. Having a pro help you with your swing will not only help your score but also help correct any negative impact that an incorrect swing is having on your back.

Another recommendation is to make sure you warm up and stretch before each round. Warming up gets blood flowing to your muscles and stretching loosens up the muscles you will be using. Drinking lots of water is important too while playing golf. Water is necessary for replacing lost fluids in the body and hydrating spinal joints and muscles.

A final recommendation would be chiropractic adjustments. Improper swing, improper club size, improper shoes, and the repetitive action of golf can cause spinal bones to become misaligned, putting pressure on nerves running through your spinal cord. Through gentle manipulation, chiropractic can realign the bones, relieving the pressure on the nerves and opening the flow of nerve energy.

If you are experiencing pain playing golf, a visit to the chiropractor can help. Even if you are not experiencing any pain, a visit to the chiropractor can be a wise investment in making sure you are playing at your highest level possible.