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Prevent Your Lower Back from "Going Out"
Back to San Diego yesterday, a few days off, and then guess what? Preparation for the third Major begins. Yes, believe it or not the British Open is four weeks away. My work with Phil, physically, to get him ready for the Open Championship begins on Monday. Team Mickelson will fly over a week early for preparation at the Royal Liverpool Golf club outside of Liverpool England. I will for sure visit the Beatles museum as well as get in a round of golf on a links course in the area.
Anyways, I got off the plane yesterday afternoon, check my voice mail messages, and I had an alarming message from a golfing buddy of mine. I guess he was playing a round over the weekend, finished up the round, had a few "suds" with the guys, started to get up and head out of the clubhouse and bang! His lower back tightened up him faster than a mongoose jumping at a cobra.
I gave him a call and he was in a little discomfort to say the least. He was unable to sleep the night before and concerned about when he will be able get back out on the links.
I told him not to worry, it sounded as though he strained his lower back no doubt from the playing golf. I gave him a few suggestions on what to on the rehabilitation side of the equation, but more importantly I discussed what he needed to be doing on the
"prehabilitation" side of the equation.
A phrase from a mentor of mine which talks about how to prevent injuries, in this case lower back injuries.
We know the golf swing places the lower back under high amounts of stress each and every swing.
As golfers if we do not do something to COMBAT the stresses on the lower back from the golf swing (my friend is a great example), eventually the lower back is going to scream NO MORE!
And BANG! You are laid up with a strained lower back, unable to swing the club and play this great game of golf.
Prehabilitation exercises can help prevent lower back injuries from occurring.
They are simply a series of lower back exercise to help STRENGTHEN and develop ENDURANCE in the lower back.
The GOAL of these exercises is to assist the LOWER BACK in withstanding the stresses placed upon it from the Golf Swing.
A simple series of GOLF SPECIFIC lower back exercises taking only 5-10 minutes a day to perform are:
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Draw-Ins
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Bent Knee Back Holds
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Alternating Superman's
And
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Alternating Arm and Leg Extension
Doing these four simple exercises 3-4 days a week can do wonders for your lower back and keep you off the disabled list.
I don't think any of us want to be hobbling around like my buddy looking like he is ninety years old when he is only 40!
Make It Happen!
Sean Cochran
P.S. Looking to keep your golf swing in shape all season long? Take a look at my simple to use Your Body & Your Swing golf fitness system. Only 20 minutes 3 times a week can give you a better golf swing.
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