Tag Archives: strain on the back
Calling all golfers! This August, The Toronto General and Western Foundation and the Lew Dunn Foundation will be bringing you the 13th annual Lew Dunn Memorial Golf Classic!
In 13 years this charity has raised millions of dollars, enabling The University Health Network and the University of Toronto to provide student scholarships for those studying to become Colorectal and Oncologic surgeons. The Lew Dunn Scholarship promotes education and research that enhances care for patients with colon cancer, raises awareness of the disease, and develops better treatments. This charity isn’t just making a difference to Canada but also worldwide.
This year, the Lew Dunn Memorial Golf Classic will be held on August 20th, and the Toronto General and Western Foundation website has all the essential information you need.
When participating in a golf tournament, well made and great fitting golf shoes are paramount. When you consider that the average golfer walks about 4-5 miles during a round, spending several hours on his or her feet, it’s little wonder that golf shoes not only contribute to the success of your game but the comfort (and survival) of it as well! An ill-fitting pair of golf shoes can affect your swing and stability, not to mention that many golf courses make proper golf shoes mandatory. The wrong shoes can set you back in a number of ways. The best golf shoes are those you don’t even think about while wearing. They also help your swing by keeping you well-grounded with a solid grip on the tees, fairways and greens. Here are our top 3 tips when it comes to choosing the best golf shoes for your feet.
How to Choose the Best Golf Shoes – Tip 1: Sizing: The fit of the golf shoe is obviously important. Before choosing the size of shoe, measure both your feet. If one foot is larger than the other, choose your size based on the larger foot. Make sure you try on new shoes wearing socks you’ll be golfing in, and leave a half an inch of space between the end of the shoe and your big toe. Golf shoes should fit tighter in the middle of the foot than regular shoes, since it’s the middle of the foot providing the most support during your golf swing.
How to Choose the Best Golf Shoes – Tip 2: Weather-wise: Weather is an important factor. Invest in golf shoes that are waterproof and offer your feet good ventilation.
How to Choose the Best Golf Shoes – Tip 3: Lighten-the-load: The weight of your golf shoes will make a huge difference. A lighter golf shoe with softer spikes will reduce stress on your legs and feet when you walk and swing, making for a better overall golf experience.
Choosing the best golf shoes for your feet will help to reduce injuries, but not necessarily prevent them. It is important to remember that there are other golf injuries that are common to golfers. These include too much strain on the back which can lead to lower back pain, herniated disks and muscle spasms. If you have pain in your body that you think is the result of a golf injury, consider consulting a sports therapy clinic for treatment options. Assistance for a golf injury soon after it emerges is your best shot at returning to normal and continuing to play the game you love.
If you have an injury or condition that is affecting your ability to golf, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine or visit www.aesm.ca
Believe it or not, a pain in the rear is often caused by problems with the feet! The average person walks approximately 2000 miles per year. That’s a lot of foot-mileage! Your feet support the weight of your entire body and the way the contact the ground directly affects how your back absorbs compression of the spine. It’s little wonder that people develop conditions in their feet and that the end result is back pain.
Flat foot is an example of a foot condition that can cause pain to the lower back. Flat foot happens when one or both feet have abnormal arches. When a person with flat foot stands, their inner foot or arch flattens, and the foot may roll too far towards the instep. This condition results in decreased hip and knee stability and abnormal motion, which can contribute to increased and unnecessary strain on the back.
Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that may contribute to back pain. It consists of inflammation of the sole of the foot. It results in an involuntary change to the foot’s mechanics. The knee bone being connected to the hip bone (if you remember the children’s song) is the domino effect that Plantar Faciitis causes, and so it can lead to knee, hip and back pain when left untreated.
A sports medicine physician is qualified to find the root and cause of back pain, and should be regarded as an essential part of your seeking relief. This consultation offers you education as to the many causes of back pain, which is the first step in creating your comprehensive medical diagnosis for the treatment of it. And if it turns out that your back pain is caused by a foot condition such as flat foot or plantar fasciitis, the remedy may be simple AND effective: custom foot orthotics.
Many people wonder if they work. Those with custom foot orthotics are a good resource for verifying these claims. But not all orthotics are created equal. Over the counter foot orthotics are popular because they are inexpensive and available right there on the shelves of most drug stores. But bear in mind that they can be less effective than custom foot orthotics.
The big difference is the “custom” component of foot orthotic selection. How could an over the counter orthotic possibly compete with a custom one? The whole point of orthotics is to offer correction to weak or inadequate foot function/support. The over the counter models may offer comfort and cushioning for the foot, but since everybody’s feet and body are different, a custom-made foot orthotic to realign your posture (and correct your particular overall misalignment) may be superior for offering back pain relief. Custom foot orthotics will provide accurate, measured and proper support for the arch, feet, and legs. In turn, everything from the spine to feet will be in a better position to function throughout the day.
Still, not everyone with flat foot or plantar fasciitis is a candidate for a custom foot orthotic.
Sports therapy clinics offer both remedies and consultation in this regard as they routinely work with back pain sufferers and sports medicine physicians to diagnose and treat the root cause of back pain. In cases where back pain is being caused by feet, the treatment might well include custom foot orthotics, if the cause of back pain traces back to issues with the knees, hip or back, sports therapy clinics can also treat those issues. And if your treatment plan requires a combination of custom foot orthotics, physiotherapy and medication, a sports therapy clinic is your one stop shop for all of these.
For more information about custom foot orthotics for treating back pain please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
