Saturday, November 1, 2008

Get a More True Golf Swing with Massage Therapy

By Steve Esquire

Your golf swing is everything to having a good golf game. Your swing involves the coordination of many different muscle groups in tandem. If any of them are off, then so is your swing and the ball will be off the mark. Proper warm up before playing a round helps get your muscles groups working together. This may include stretching, calisthenics and massage therapy. It is vital to get your body prepared properly for the physical activity of swinging your clubs. Massage therapy delivered with a massage chair is an effective way to get your body and muscles loosened up for your next round of golf.

Golf although it is a low aerobic sport, still puts significant stress on the body. The repetitive nature of the swing puts disproportionate stress on the lower back, wrist, elbow, shoulder, knees and hips. These areas must work in tandem to produce a true swing. If there is tightness or soreness, then the body tends to compensate. This affects the outcome of your swing and where your ball will go. Proper warm up and stretching helps to loosen muscles and prepare them to work harmoniously together.

The three elements that constitute a good and proper golf warm up are massage, stretching and light exercise. Massage helps to reduce tension and tightness in muscles such as the back, shoulders, hips, arms and shoulders. Using a massage chair can effectively provide sufficient coverage. You should then stretch out the major muscle groups and areas of your body. Next, do some light exercises along with walking to get your body and muscles prepared for the day's activities. It is important to develop this into a routine each time you play.

Massage chair recliners include the most effective massage therapies such as Shiatsu, Swedish, Sports and Deep Tissue massages. You have many controls to pinpoint exactly where you need the most attention. Pre-game massages can increase the circulation of blood and lymph, loosen sore or tight muscles and even increase your mental awareness. Professional athletes use massage therapy to give them an edge and perform at their best. When getting a massage, be sure to drink a cup of water for proper hydration.

Most golfers that I have met, complain about lower back pain. This is an especially important area for your golf swing. In fact, this is the pivot point of your swing. Your swing puts a lot of stress on this area as you follow through on your swing. Since you are doing this over and over throughout the day, you may start to experience some aching or discomfort. Getting a proper and adequate warm up is critical to easing this particular stress point. You want to stretch out the back, legs and hips. The application of heat is also beneficial. You may want to get some deeper tissue bodywork in the lower lumber to help you out.

Injury prevention is important for your long term golf game. Many injuries can be prevented and totally avoided. Some of the common causes of injuries are from poor swing mechanics, hitting the ground, too little warm up, over-swinging and twisting during the swing. Most injuries are related to the golf swing. This is where people can throw out their backs or swing too hard hurting their elbow. Most of these causes can be substantially reduced by performing a proper warm up. Know your body and keep in tune with it, so you do not over-exert and injure yourself.

We cannot overstate the importance of a comprehensive and proper warm up. Make sure you massage the major muscle groups, stretch them out and the perform warm up exercises. This will help get your body better prepared to improve your golf game. Utilize massage therapy like professional athletes do before they perform. Massage chairs are a convenient way to gain regular access to effective massage therapy. A massage chair can be a key asset in getting a proper massage to loosen, relax and prepare the muscles. This will help give you the edge to help take a few more strokes off your golf game. - 16003

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