Golf Injuries

Golf is a welcome reprieve for many people, and at ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge, we’re happy when our patients get exercise and sunlight. But if you weren’t staying limber while practicing social distancing, you may not be quite ready to play at full strength yet. Golf is a sport that puts a great deal of stress on the lower back, so we wanted to address how players can protect themselves from developing degenerative conditions, or experiencing a relapse if they already have one.

 

When you twist your lower back to complete a swing, you’re subjecting it to a great deal of force. The vertebrae of the lower lumbar region are able to rotate more freely than those in other parts of the spinal column, and they, and the muscles and ligaments surrounding them, are more vulnerable to wear and tear. Consequently, the muscles may become tight and swollen as they fray, and people whose discs are already degenerating are at risk of herniating them. If you suffer an injury, begin resting and icing it; don’t attempt to play through the game, or you risk further rupture.

 

We offer minimally invasive, non-addictive solutions to lower back pain. Among them are electric muscle stimulation, chiropractic adjustments, and low level laser treatments. But to prevent injuries, you’ll need to warm-up before each game and stretch every day. Our doctor, Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo, is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician and can help patients to develop a regimen of core strengthening exercises that will ease the burden on their spinal columns and allow them to stretch more freely without their muscles and tendons fraying.

 

If you’ve been bothered by lower back pain while practicing your swing, schedule a visit to Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo at the ACT Wellness Center, 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. Call 703-491-9355.

Beat Back Pain by Strengthening Your Core

At ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge, VA, we find that the majority of our patients with back pain lack core stability. A weak core can increase the risk of disc bulges and nerve damage. There are numerous exercises that can be done, even in the comfort of your own home with little to no equipment needed, to steadily build your core, relieve back pain, and ultimately prevent future back pain.

Some core-building exercises include:

- Plank

- Clamshell

- Bird Dog

- Glute Bridge Single-Leg Progression

- Pelvic Tilt/Glute Bridge

- Side Plank

- Tabletop Leg Press

- Superman

- Dead Bug

- Cat Stretches

- Reverse/Forward Lunge

These exercises can also help with balance, function, stability, and limit the chances of getting seriously injured. Dr. Caratozzolo wants to inform his patients with new knowledge about their back pain and how they can treat it with an at-home regimen on days when they do not come into the office. However, it is important to remember that if any of these exercises increase pain, numbness, or weakness, you should immediately stop doing them and speak to your chiropractor.

Consistent chiropractic adjustments can help your back pain. We are happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you have! ACT Wellness Center is located at 14111 Minnieville Rd. in Woodbridge, VA 22193. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit actwellness.com or call the office at 703-491-9355.

 

10 Tips to Prevent Neck Pain

Neck pain happens, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it forever. With some lifestyle adjustments, you can prevent neck pain altogether. We at ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge, VA take pride in educating our patients about good spinal health. Since many of our patients experience neck pain, it's important to take a step back and see what causes it. Only then can you take the necessary steps to treat and ultimately prevent neck pain!

 

Prevent neck pain by:

 

- Sleeping on your back

- Drinking plenty of water

- Making sure you are using a comfortable and supported pillow

- Making sure your computer monitor is at eye level

- When texting, keeping your mobile phone at eye level, taking breaks, or using talk-text

- When making a phone call, using a headset or earpiece

- Stretching, exercising, and strengthening your neck muscles

- Carrying weight on your person so that it is evenly distributed

- Practicing a supportive posture (no slumping or hunching!)

- Holding your phone at a distance rather than right in front of you

 

It’s important to seek professional help if you ever experience numbness, tingling, and pain in your arms, or headaches and weakness. Ineffective pain medication is another indicator that you should see a chiropractor. Dr. Caratozzolo offers an array of therapies to help patients with neck pain.

 

Are you interested in treating your neck pain with chiropractic adjustments? We are happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you have! ACT Wellness Center is located at 14111 Minnieville Rd. in Woodbridge, VA 22193. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit actwellness.com or call the office at 703-491-9355.