| Good news! If you're an arthritis sufferer, | | | | It's accuracy that counts! |
| you don't have to give up your golf game! In | | | | |
| fact, playing golf can add strength and | | | | Using tees will help. |
| mobility to your body overall and improve | | | | |
| your range of motion. | | | | Drink water while you're playing. (again, a |
| | | | tip for everyone) |
| Research shows that one of the best | | | | |
| treatments for osteoarthritis is exercise. It | | | | If you feel tired, listen to your body and |
| can improve mood and outlook, decrease pain, | | | | rest a bit. It's not a mortal sin to play |
| increase flexibility, improve the heart and | | | | less than 18 holes. The key is to enjoy the |
| blood flow, maintain weight, and promote | | | | game. |
| general physical fitness. | | | | |
| | | | Now, if you're feeling sore after play, here |
| Usually, osteoarthritis (the most common form | | | | are some things to try. |
| of arthritis) comes on slowly. Early in the | | | | |
| disease, joints may ache after physical work | | | | · Take a warm shower. |
| or exercise. Osteoarthritis can occur in any | | | | |
| joint. Most often it occurs at the hands, | | | | · Do some gentle stretching exercises. |
| hips, knees, or spine, all those areas used | | | | |
| in playing the game of golf. | | | | · Use an ice pack on the sore area. |
| | | | |
| No worries, though. Golf actually helps | | | | · Rest the sore joint. |
| increase your range of motion and your | | | | |
| balance as well. And the walking, if you can | | | | · Try magnetic therapy. |
| do it, will benefit your health in numerous | | | | |
| ways. In short, golf is one of the perfect | | | | · Try to keep your weight down. Too much |
| exercises for someone with osteoarthritis! | | | | weight can make your knees and hips hurt |
| | | | |
| Now here's the key - you are probably going | | | | If playing golf causes pain that lasts for |
| to need some special products to make golf a | | | | more than 1 hour, it's too much. Work with |
| little easier on your joints. | | | | your physical therapist or doctor to adjust |
| | | | your game when you notice any of the |
| At arthritis.org, the Arthritis Foundation | | | | following signs of too much exercise: |
| shares some tips for golfers to help you keep | | | | |
| enjoying this wonderful sport and suggests | | | | Unusual or persistent fatigue |
| some products that might help you. | | | | |
| | | | Increased weakness |
| For instance, it's a good idea to wear wrist | | | | |
| braces and gloves when you play. This will | | | | Decreased range of motion |
| help stabilize the joints in your wrists and | | | | |
| hands. Both these items are inexpensive. | | | | Increased joint swelling |
| | | | |
| Try using a lower compression ball. | | | | Continuing pain (pain that lasts more than 1 |
| | | | hour after exercising) |
| Golf shoes without spikes will likely be more | | | | |
| comfortable for you. | | | | Really, when it comes right down to it, |
| | | | playing golf (along with warming up for your |
| Ask your local golf store specialist about | | | | game with range of motion exercises) may be |
| the latest helps for making golfing easier on | | | | just what the doctor orders for arthritis |
| your joints. New products are coming out all | | | | help! |
| the time. | | | | |
| | | | Tyler Powers is a contributing author and |
| Always warm up before you play. Do some | | | | webmaster for . You'll find an amazing |
| basic stretches, take some practice swings. | | | | amount of golf tips and information on how to |
| Start out swinging about half strength. Never | | | | find discount golf clubs and golf accessories |
| try to hit the ball too hard. This one goes | | | | at . |
| for everyone - not just folks with arthritis. | | | | |