tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50247869270634522182024-02-20T11:20:38.917-08:00The Functional GolferDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-40623163537941406422015-12-28T13:02:00.000-08:002015-12-28T13:26:31.140-08:00Are You Looking At Everything? It May Be A Good Idea.While the phrase "paralysis by analysis" is a concern, often, in healthcare, the opposite can be true. It is not uncommon to experience segmentalized medicine when seeking treatment options for an ailment. With the current state of our healthcare system, doctors are stretched thin. With increased documentation demands, never ending code changes, insurance regulation compliance, decreasing reimbursement, increasing overhead costs, etc., doctors are typically unable to practice using the same model today as even ten years ago. By default, these changes are promoting a segmentalized treatment model. Doctors, by and large, are not thrilled about this emerging reality. But in order to continue helping their patients, doctors are required to adapt their approach. Additionally, training methods have changed. As more discoveries have been made, fields have become quite complex. It is impossible to know everything about everything, so specialists are required to focus on segments of the patient. Many other factors are at play, but suffice it to say that treatment approaches have largely become segmentalized. So how does this effect the patient? In some ways, it means more directed care for a simple or emergent condition. If the patient is feeling chest pain, left arm numbness and/or tingling that radiates into the jaw and other cardiac health signs/symptoms, having segmentalized processes helps expedite the life-saving measures that can save this patient's life.
But this model does not work as well for other types of conditions, such as non-specific low back pain. If we approach this condition the same way we approached the earlier symptoms, the results may not be as positive. What happens when a person sees their doctor with low back pain? The typical response from the medical model is an anti-inflammatory, pain medication, and/or a muscle relaxer. Maybe that is the best course of action in this case (certainly I have been told by patients that this approach fixed their back complaints and I am thrilled for that), but maybe it is not. The typical response from the chiropractic model is an adjustment. Will that help? Maybe, maybe not. Most of the time it is hit or miss because the underlying cause of the pain can be difficult to assess during a short examination. And remember, it has already been established that the current system does not lend itself to long, time-consuming examinations. In this case, what is a patient to do? Below are a few helpful tips to help a patient receive the diagnosis and treatment that is best for them.
<br />
1) <b>Educate yourself.</b> In this day and age, information is readily available. Know how to describe what you are experiencing, i.e. the pain is sharp, dull, radiating, vague, pin-point, constant, intermittent, worse with activity, no change with activity, worse at night, better/worse with sitting, etc. All of these descriptions mean something and will help in the diagnosis. Look for an internet forum or a few friends/family who may be able to help you identify and describe your symptoms. Being able to elaborate on your symptoms can be of great benefit when describing the condition to your doctor.<br />
2) <b>Remember that your doctor is pressed for time.</b> It is not that your doctor does not care (usually). The reason they do not spend much time with you is because they are trapped in the system described in the opening of this article. Truthfully, they do not like only having a few minutes to spend with you, either. Your doctor did not go into healthcare to ignore you. They went into the field to help people (usually), so make it easier for them to help you in the limited time that they have. Be prepared with a list of questions, an accurate description of your concerns (detailed above), and a little understanding of what the doctor is trying to do for you.<br />
3) <b>Ensure that you are in the correct office.</b> Are you seeing the correct doctor for your condition? You likely would not see a cardiologist for a sprained ankle, so make sure you are seeing the correct provider for the condition. This is another instance where being part of a network of people who have experienced similar symptoms can be helpful (such as an internet forum, etc.) because they may be able to help you decide on a good first step.<br />
4) <b>Have the doctor explain what you can expect.</b> One important aspect to treatment and healing is having a plan. This plan should be fairly direct, but allow for unforeseen circumstances as well. As much as can be expected, try to have an understanding of the course of treatment and what you may be able to do on your own to achieve the overall goal.<br />
5) <b>Seek a provider who will listen to your concerns and approach your condition individually.</b> Not every condition is the same. Similar complaints can require very different treatment approaches (i.e. 'shoulder pain' may require mobility work due to adhesive capsulitis or it may require intrinsic stability work due to a torn labrum. Both of these conditions will produce 'shoulder pain', but if the treatments are reversed, both of these patients could end up in surgery to repair a condition that may have otherwise been managed conservatively. The provider's initial attention to detail is an important factor in creating the proper treatment direction.<br />
There are many other ways to ensure that your treatment(s) are properly devised and managed, but hopefully this discussion gives the patient a few ideas on how to better prepare for a visit and ways to improve the chances of a positive treatment outcome.<br />
All the best,
<p>Nathan Williams, DC, MS</p>Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-39443427435459084592013-04-14T22:05:00.000-07:002013-04-14T22:05:40.248-07:00Fatigue Leads To Poor Form (which leads to injury)This is an issue that is becoming more common with today's workouts. The idea of pushing one's body to fatigue is a common idea in recent exercise programs. With fatigue comes some wonderful physiological advantages such as an increase in muscle gain, a decrease in blood sugar levels, slower fatigue during sporting endeavors, a quicker response to anaerobic activity, etc. However, we have seen a dramatic increase in injuries resulting from workouts where participants are pushing into (and past) fatigue. These injuries range from simple strain/sprains to serious injuries such as labrum tears, stress fractures, muscle tears, severe tendinitis, and enthesopathies (a disruption of the junction between a muscle and bone). The cause of these injuries can be traced back, in many cases, to poor form. As the participant fatigues, intrinsic muscles that are designed to protect joints become compromised. If intrinsic muscles become fatigued, proper form is impossible to maintain. When this occurs, the joints become vulnerable by absorbing stress loads that they are ill-equipped to manage. It is at this point that injury becomes possible because the muscles are unable to protect the joints.
So, the take-away from this discussion should be the maintenance of proper form during lifting, no matter the program. In my office, I do not discourage the athlete from pushing themselves to fatigue. As mentioned above, there are many benefits to reaching fatigue during exercise. However, I am adamant that my patients maintain proper form at all times. Fatigue is reached when the athlete can no longer perform the particular exercise with proper form. At this point, the athlete is encouraged to cease that particular movement and any others that rely on the same intrinsic stabilizers. An example would be that if an athlete reaches fatigue after performing squats, dead lifts and cleans/snatches should be avoided for the rest of that particular workout. If there are any questions, concerns, or comments about this idea, please relay them.
All the best,
Nathan Williams, DC, MS, TPI-med3Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-50401806495610325462012-07-10T09:55:00.000-07:002012-07-10T10:04:12.893-07:00How Do You Roll?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sz3YsAMbSSO6wKdXsn1LQVd445lGia0WNpzwnLs9fH7swvkeM-6K69gb22h8bsM70O35EhbT3AI43uKUWwyCvHP9jdzXijWYx_R8QyVxW9IhaCYJWim_VH8qGy30JgpUTGyLDKnrgOs/s1600/najspt-04-070-g004.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sz3YsAMbSSO6wKdXsn1LQVd445lGia0WNpzwnLs9fH7swvkeM-6K69gb22h8bsM70O35EhbT3AI43uKUWwyCvHP9jdzXijWYx_R8QyVxW9IhaCYJWim_VH8qGy30JgpUTGyLDKnrgOs/s320/najspt-04-070-g004.gif" width="100" /></a></div>
Chronic low back pain is common in our society. As we age, the rate of incidence regarding chronic spinal pain, particularly the lumbar spine, increases. Mobility, stability and flexibility are often decreased in this population of pain sufferers. Interestingly, as these markers (mobility, stability, and flexibility) decrease, pain tends to increase in an inverse relationship. In these patients, it can be difficult to know there is a problem until pain arises. It is common to believe that the <em>problem </em>recently began since the <em>pain </em>recently began. However, there may have been a problem brewing for a long time, maybe for years, before the sensation of pain. There is a great way to gauge how all three of these markers are functioning that can be used in the office or at home: <strong>rolling patterns</strong>. Here is a great article by Gray Cook, PT and Michael Voight, DPT regarding rolling patterns <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21509112" target="_blank">Rolling Patterns - PubMed</a>. In simple terms, rolling over correctly requires proper function of muscles and joints in a coordinated fashion. It seems easy, but if there are inadequacies in a patient's mobility, stability, and/or flexibility in several key regions of the body, the movement's difficulty may be surprising.<br> <br />
Try the rolling pattern laying on your back and rolling to your stomach using only your arms and upper body. Then reverse onto your back using only your arms and upper body. Then try it with only your legs and lower body. You may find that some movements are easier than others. If so, this may be an underlying contributor to spinal pain. If you do not currently have spinal pain, this movement pattern may be a predictor of future problems. Try this movement and report the results to your movement specialist.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-84081547949715621582011-06-28T10:04:00.000-07:002011-06-28T10:45:37.109-07:00Asymmetries: What's the Problem?Asymmetries are some of the biggest predictors of injury in our population, especially in athletes. By 'asymmetries', I am referring to joints and/or muscles that perform differently from one side to the other. <br /><br />Example: A sprinter with 20 degrees of hip extension in the left hip and 35 degrees of hip extension in the right hip is at risk of injury. Why? When a sprinter is at full stride, hip extension is utilized in the trailing leg. If, with every stride, the difference between the left and right hip motion is 15 degrees, the pelvis, hips, and lumbar spine (at the very least) will absorb that difference in the form of strain. When the tissue threshold is met, the sprinter will develop pain.<br /><br />Now comes the interesting part. Most health care practitioners are trained to treat the sprinter's pain. As such, this athlete will receive stretches, strengthening exercises, therapies to decrease the pain, manipulations, and possibly medication or surgery. But what if there were a system designed that could have caught this injury before it ever happened? Well, there is. Check out the following website: http://graycookmovement.com/?p=29 If you are an athlete or health care professional and do not know Gray Cook, you should change that. Asymmetries have been shown to be reliable predictors of injury. In the example above, it would be better for the sprinter to have 20 degrees of hip extension bilaterally than to have asymmetrical findings. In the coming years, I 'predict' (speaking of predictions) that Cook's FMS (Functional Movement Screen) system will continue to gain popularity in athletes as well as non-athletes. With strong predictors of injury, such as asymmetries, within the system, our patients and clients can not afford for us to under-utilize the FMS.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-24204956449761996402011-05-21T21:09:00.000-07:002011-05-21T22:59:09.503-07:00Hip Pain: Does it mean I have a problem with my hip?The answer is, of course, not necessarily. Pain can arise from many tissues: muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, bones, nerves, etc. While certainly all of these components collectively comprise the hip (and can cause a great number of conditions that lead to hip pain), hip pain does not necessarily arise from the hip itself. Referred pain patterns are not uncommon and should be considered when diagnosing hip pain. This becomes a very important distinction when working with golfers. Hip pain can develop as a result of so many different problems. It matters where the pain is located (front, back, side, combination, etc.) and what type of pain is being described (sharp, shooting, dull, achy, burning, etc.). The golf swing can cause the pain or it may not. Is the pain arising from the hip or from somewhere else that causes the hip to hurt? As a golfer, it is important to be evaluated by a doctor who is familiar with the golf swing and the biomechanics involved in the movement.<br /><br />Recently, I saw a patient (an avid golfer) in the office who was experiencing hip pain that had been getting worse. The patient had received a full work-up on the hip from another provider and had undergone therapy for pain. Despite extensive efforts, the pain was becoming worse. When the patient presented in my office, I did the most obvious thing to do: I examined the painful hip. But after the evaluation, it was evident to me that the hip was not the generator of the pain. So I looked at the next most likely cause of hip pain (outside of the hip itself) and uncovered the culprit. It originated in the lumbar spine; L4/5 to be exact, and our findings were confirmed by MRI.<br /><br />The important take-away here is that referred pain can be tricky to diagnose. If you are experiencing pain that has not been managed to your satisfaction, it can be worth your time and effort to seek out a second opinion. And when looking for a second opinion, look for a doctor that is knowledgeable about the golf swing. It can make all the difference in receiving the proper diagnosis and treatment plan.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Nathan Williams, DC, MS, TPI-CGFIDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-76658283210188803262011-04-05T15:31:00.000-07:002011-04-05T15:33:40.654-07:00Tennis Elbow In The Golfer (confusing, I know)Tennis Elbow seems to be the injury of choice for golfers in our clinic lately. Don't let the name fool you - a golfer can certainly develop Tennis Elbow. Actually, Tennis Elbow seems to be more common in golfers than tennis players! This condition can make it difficult to swing a club comfortably and, in some cases, force the player to sit out of the game altogether. With the golf season in full-swing (pardon the pun), neither of these options is appealing to most players. So, let's talk about what Tennis Elbow is and how you can prevent it from hindering you this season.<br /><br />The Mayo Clinic defines Tennis Elbow as <em>a painful condition that occurs when tendons in your elbow are overworked, usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.</em> This is mostly true. But overuse is not the only culprit; misuse is just as troublesome. The pain that you feel on the outside of the elbow is coming from the tendons that attach to the bones. These tendons are also attached to the muscles that make your wrist extend, or bend up. This is important because it is this motion that can cause the condition. It is most common to see Tennis Elbow in the left arm of a right-handed golfer. Also, these players typically complain that they have lost distance, have begun to slice the ball, catch the ball "fat", and/or hit high, weak shots that tend to go to the right. There is one major move that golfers make that can lead to these problems:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy62CJLxg0ET09A2uYDnCVC8p06QM0k2v560mCTQXQaoNK4zlyWBQqCy3f2rwiSvCH99tDveLQcf4k86P5yEjX0QxwtLxkHi8qPyuRDTUEgsXcQITdMc1qw6m2yCqbeDM75S9NB1yQ2A/s1600/scoop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy62CJLxg0ET09A2uYDnCVC8p06QM0k2v560mCTQXQaoNK4zlyWBQqCy3f2rwiSvCH99tDveLQcf4k86P5yEjX0QxwtLxkHi8qPyuRDTUEgsXcQITdMc1qw6m2yCqbeDM75S9NB1yQ2A/s320/scoop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592141012771570498" /></a><br /><br />Can you see the problem? It is called "scooping the club" and it can lead to all of the shot pattern problems described earlier as well as Tennis Elbow. This move puts a large amount of stress on the muscles that extend the left wrist. When the problem occurs in the left elbow of a right-handed player, it is typically an injury of misuse, not necessarily overuse.<br /><br />The solution? Stop scooping! Ok, I understand that this is far easier said than done. But in order to prevent the recurrence of pain, it is a must-do. Check with your local golf instructor for drills and swing keys that allow the hands to be ahead of the clubhead at impact. This will reduce the amount of load that is placed on the elbow muscles (and vastly improve shot results at the same time). But what if a player currently has Tennis Elbow? Is there anything that they can do now to improve their condition until the swing change takes place? Yes! The following are good tips to decrease the pain associated with Tennis Elbow:<br /><br />1) <b>Use ice, NOT heat.</b> Some patients believe heat is the best option for all muscle pain. Au, contraire. A good rule of thumb is if the condition is painful, use ice. If pain is present, then inflammation is not far behind. Heat increases inflammation leading to more pain about two hours after the application of heat. Heat feels good while it is being applied, but leads to more pain afterwards. Ice should be applied for 10-15 minutes and then removed for 45-50 minutes. This cycle can be repeated three times in the morning and three times at night. (Disclaimer: Do not apply ice for more than the prescribed time. It can burn you just like heat).<br /><br />2) <b>Use a wrist-rest at the keyboard.</b> Once pain is present in the elbow, it does not take much to produce more pain. Typing at a keyboard can force a person to overuse the wrist extensors.<br /><br />3) <b>Compression bands can help, but should only be used as a temporary solution.</b> Eventually the goal is to address the culprit of the pain and alleviate it permanently. But until that can happen, a compression band can provide some relief to the elbow.<br /><br />4) <b>Avoid tons of full-swing shots.</b> Use this opportunity to polish up on your short game instead of pounding 200 balls as hard as you can on the driving range. You can still play, just don't over-do it. <br /><br />5) <b>Avoid sleeping with your arms above shoulder level.</b> We spend as much as 33% of our lives sleeping. It is important to ensure that your sleep position is conducive to the health of your body. Some elbow pain has been linked to sleeping with arms overhead.<br /><br />If you have any questions, please contact us at Germantown Golf Fitness in Germantown, TN. Our phone number is (901) 590-1065. <br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Nathan Williams, DC, MS, CGFI-MP2Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-15763813741736353412011-03-08T07:29:00.000-08:002011-03-08T21:30:50.377-08:00Importance of Rotation in the Golf SwingOver the past couple of years, a lot has been said about recent changes in golf instruction. Sean Foley and the Stack and Tilt guys (Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett), among others, are sources of constant discussion due to their seemingly "new" way to swing a golf club (a closer look at traditional swings, however, will reveal that the swing as it has been taught over the last couple of decades is actually the "new" one). I will also say from the outset that I do not promote S&T, but some of their principles are fitting for this article. Sean Foley's approach to the golf swing, on the other hand, seems to be directly in line with my approach. Although the teachings of S&T and Foley are absolutely NOT the same, an area of commonality is the importance that is placed on <b>rotation</b> in the swing. And therein lies the problem. For years we have been taught to "load the right side" during the back swing, and to "shift our weight" to the right at the top of our swing in an attempt to create more power. Some of the greatest swing instructors of our generation have promoted this technique. In David Leadbetter's 2004 book <u>Unlocking Your True Golf Potential</u>, he writes "Sense that your weight is shifting onto your right side as you turn against that braced right knee and thigh" (referring to the back swing). However, research would disagree with this popular method. Loading the right side is an ineffective way to generate and release energy, and it opens the player up to other problems. It is my opinion that this movement pattern leads to inconsistent shot patterns, a <b>loss</b> of distance, and potential injuries. The following is the scientific reasoning for these thoughts:<br /><br />In physics, Newtonian <b>force</b> is defined as <i>an influence on a body, producing a change in movement (1)</i>. This definition applies to Newton's first law that <i>Every material body remains in its state of rest or uniform, unaccelerated motion in a straight line, if and only if it is not acted upon by a net force (2)</i>. The problem with this approach is that this describes linear dynamics only. There are many forces, in many vector directions, being applied to a golfer's body and club during the golf swing. Each of these vectors play a role in the net force being translated into the golf ball. The golf swing is comprised of rotational dynamics, which include additional complicating factors. When rotation is added, <b>torque</b> is introduced. Newton's second law states that <i>a body of mass subject to a net force undergoes an acceleration that has the same direction as the force and a magnitude that is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass, i.e., F = ma</i>. Torque, by definition, is <i>the tendency of a force to cause or change rotational motion of a body</i>. <i>Torque depends on the magnitude of the force and on where the force is applied relative to the pivot point. Hence, the rotation axis's location greatly affects the torque produced</i> (3). <br /><br />So, all of that to say this: If the golfer's muscles are the generator of force and the spine is the axis of rotation, it is counter-productive for the generated force to be moved from the axis's original location. No added power is produced by "loading the right side" because the axis of rotation is deviated causing a loss of rotational muscle tension and decreasing the player's ability to transition to the left in the downswing. This difficulty in transitioning to the left on the downswing has caused the most common "miss" among amateurs to become a slice over the past couple of decades. In years prior, the most common "miss" was a hook. In the professional golfer, the most common "miss" has become a block to the right. This is because the player's timing must be perfect in order to return the club back to the ball consistently. If that timing is interrupted, compensations ensue that cause a plethora of problems (i.e. flipping the hands through impact, over-the-top swing planes, hanging-back through impact, sliding, swaying, etc.). <br /><br />Also, the injuries that result from this movement are usually seen in the right-sided low back, left hip, left knee, and left shoulder. That is because these areas take high amounts of stress during the swing when the player "loads the right side". Stress on these areas can be decreased if the center of mass is not moved from its original position during the back swing.<br /><br />Baseball pitchers have figured out this concept. How long will it be before more golf instructors figure it out too?<br /><br /><br />(notice the amount of "loading the right side" during the wind-up in earlier pitching forms)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoR9XmWKse4BYi9auNOF4cqTpNWBnBkJw0Dt5497jUV-ucDmQ2OxaiJ8rIdqnDlLBnhv7-o7e-A4SyayQNKZzgGq6ugwwbpd09ihsXuxFFjTCpnH7SOWTuPNscYDmXTFC-Yj_5vgq_lw/s1600/imagesCAM3L9ON.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoR9XmWKse4BYi9auNOF4cqTpNWBnBkJw0Dt5497jUV-ucDmQ2OxaiJ8rIdqnDlLBnhv7-o7e-A4SyayQNKZzgGq6ugwwbpd09ihsXuxFFjTCpnH7SOWTuPNscYDmXTFC-Yj_5vgq_lw/s320/imagesCAM3L9ON.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581793833143597842" /></a><br /><br /><br />(notice pitchers now maintain centered weight distribution during the wind-up, relying on rotation and forward motion to generate power and consistency)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKK0qxHL6lWuAis6WiF-2ZIChBsNnGapcVqMn9Sj5A339AtmylHdA4eHGSCQEL530Iukq9jP1yPE3bdBVfDrwoyqz_8vyHEWe-HV8jOrt_yKgKXf9Wv_6wz402VcjXRa6_J3uVltOh9A/s1600/imagesCA1Q38E7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKK0qxHL6lWuAis6WiF-2ZIChBsNnGapcVqMn9Sj5A339AtmylHdA4eHGSCQEL530Iukq9jP1yPE3bdBVfDrwoyqz_8vyHEWe-HV8jOrt_yKgKXf9Wv_6wz402VcjXRa6_J3uVltOh9A/s320/imagesCA1Q38E7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581794399621344274" /></a><br /><br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Nathan Williams, DC, MS, CGFI-MP2<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. <u>Physics, the Human Adventure: from Copernicus to Einstein and Beyond</u>; Holton, G., Brush, S.; 2005; p. 108<br /><br />2. <u>Physics, the Human Adventure: from Copernicus to Einstein and Beyond</u>; Holton, G., Brush, S.; 2005; p. 108<br /><br />3. <u>College Physics: Reasoning and Relationships</u>; Giordano, N.; 2009; p. 249Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-58050752635954064212011-02-13T18:32:00.001-08:002011-02-17T21:23:24.686-08:00Shoulder InjuriesIn the recent months, we have seen a high number of shoulder complaints. The complaints have ranged from pain in the front of the shoulder to aches in the back near the shoulder blade, and everything in between. Interestingly, many patients are surprised to learn that we manage shoulder pain very effectively at our clinic. According to the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), shoulder pain is the second most frequently suffered injury experienced by amateur golfers, accounting for more than 20% of all injuries. <br /><br />Proper swing mechanics are important factors in preventing these injuries, but even swings that function properly can lead to shoulder problems. What, then, leads to these issues and how can you prevent these injuries from occurring? In addition to swing mechanics, the other important factor to evaluate is the function of the shoulder complex itself. <br /><br />The shoulder complex is the most inherently unstable joint in the human body, so it is important that it functions optimally. It consists of four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff, the anterior/middle/posterior deltoid muscles, a portion of the biceps brachii, and even the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi. Additionally, the complex includes several ligaments, tendons, and a very important labrum. That is a lot of different tissues that need to be functional in order to be pain-free. <br /><br />So, in order to decrease the possibility of shoulder injuries due to the golf swing, make sure you have two things: <br /><br />1) Proper swing mechanics<br />2) Functional performance of your shoulder complex<br /><br />Check with your local PGA professional to ensure you have proper swing mechanics and check in at Germantown Golf Fitness @ (901) 590-1065 to have your shoulder complex evaluated prior to the season. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Nathan Williams, DC, MS, CGFI-MP2Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-66035180777849614932011-01-02T16:42:00.000-08:002011-01-03T09:40:43.494-08:00Energy Release During The Golf Swing - Part 3 of 3During the last two postings, energy <em>Conversion</em> and <em>Transfer</em> have been discussed as they pertain to the golf swing. When <em>Conversion</em> was discussed, the focus was placed on from where the appropriate energy is produced during the golf swing. Last month, energy <em>Transfer</em> was examined and an importance was placed on proper transition phases of the swing that optimize the energy produced during the conversion phase. Now, as the <em>Energy</em> series comes to an end, the most important key of energy within a golf swing will be divulged.<br /><br />It occurs fairly often...the golfer with a visually appealing swing, yet hits the ball relatively short in terms of distance. This player will swing hard with great effort, yet hit the ball shorter than players swinging much easier. What gives? The answer is simple. The player may have conquered energy conversion and transfer during the swing, but without conquering <em>Energy Release</em>, the player will forever perform at sub maximal levels. See, the steps of energy conversion and transfer in the swing are only preludes to the moment of truth. If energy output does not peak at impact, it is no matter how hard the player swings. <em>Energy Release</em> should be at its maximum at impact, and it is this moment that is the most important.<br /><br />The paradox to this is that swing speed monitors, launch monitors, and animated simulators do not help determine this critical moment of truth - energy release at impact. When swing speed is measured, it fails to capture sequencing and energy release at impact. As a matter of fact, there is only one technology that captures this important information. The technology captures something called the ‘Kinematic Sequence’. There are a few equipment manufacturers that utilize this technology, and K-Vest is one of them. Talk to your local teaching professional about finding someone in your area that can provide this service. If you happen to be in the Memphis, TN area, call us at Germantown Golf Fitness (901) 590-1065. We specialize in the performance optimization of golfers.<br /><br />So, after all of this discussion about energy in the golf swing, remember this: energy release that peaks at impact is critically important for producing power and consistency. Do you know if your peak energy occurs at impact? Have you seen your Kinematic Sequence? If you are a serious golfer and you have not been ‘K-Vested’, you are missing out and losing ground.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Dr. WilliamsDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-14773187233449502472010-10-31T22:54:00.000-07:002010-11-30T12:19:54.169-08:00Energy Transfer During The Golf Swing - Part 2 of 3<em>Energy conversion and transfer in biological systems is dictated by laws of thermodynamics. (1) </em> This means that in a highly efficient system, much of the energy that has been created can be transferred from one unit to another (although 100% of energy can not be transferred due to a certain amount of dissipation that will inevitably take place). Look at the following picture:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JIJ524nYZgbZL8VSS_uHtDuAqoEC-a98ppX4cQ___b34givvz21fmjW_cCquAk8N_BUxQ8zDB5SmUs7lI2u-AD0vNPkIZ19jP6P3xb9M2EcxfI-Jh7J6py-wXzIj3iVMGfJ3sQdM3K0/s1600/Energy+Transfer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JIJ524nYZgbZL8VSS_uHtDuAqoEC-a98ppX4cQ___b34givvz21fmjW_cCquAk8N_BUxQ8zDB5SmUs7lI2u-AD0vNPkIZ19jP6P3xb9M2EcxfI-Jh7J6py-wXzIj3iVMGfJ3sQdM3K0/s320/Energy+Transfer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534438893649245282" /></a><br /><br />Think about what would happen if the first ball is brought straight back and released vs. bringing the ball back at an angle and allowing it to hit the row of stationary balls off-center. Which scenario would produce higher energy transfer? That is actually a trick question because the answer is both scenarios actually result in the same amount of energy transfer (the first ball will stop moving and send it's energy into the others; the ball in the second scenario will transfer it's energy into the air in addition to the next ball). The proper question to ask, on the other hand, is which scenario would produce higher <em>efficiency </em> of energy transfer? Obviously, the ball that was brought straight back and released into the row of stationary balls will produce higher efficiency. So, our case has been built in terms of physics. Now let's apply it to golf.<br /><br />The golf swing is a complex motion requiring many moving parts all at one time. The end goal is to hit the ball, but in order for that to happen efficiently, those moving parts must act in a coordinated effort (i.e. from the above illustration, the golfer should mimic the ball that moves straight back, not off-line, for maximum efficiency). Most of the energy in a golf swing originates from resistance between the player and the ground. That energy is coupled with the potential energy that is stored in the body-coil at the top of the swing. It is at this point that it becomes very important to utilize the proper Kinematic Sequence and efficient functional movements in order to deliver the club back to the ball with the most available power. The downswing should begin from the top with the hips leading the way. When the hips reach their final destination (after turning to the left), they decelerate, effectively transferring their energy into the shoulders. Then the shoulders repeat this process and transfer the hip and shoulder energy into the arms. Then, just before impact, the arms should decelerate, releasing the hip/shoulder/arm energy into the clubhead for maximal energy transfer. In addition to this sequence, the <strong>body </strong>must be in the proper position during the swing to allow the <strong>clubface </strong>to be in proper position at impact for the desired shot-shape. You do not need to worry about all of these angles and sequences as a player because there are TPI professionals that do this for a living. When a golf professional and a medical professional work together, the student's results can be magnified. If you are in the Memphis, TN area, call us at Germantown Golf Fitness @ (901) 590-1065 for more information. If you are not in this area, look on the MyTPI website for a TPI professional in your area.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Nathan Williams, DC<br /><br /><br />1 - Sieniutycz, De Vos. <u>Thermodynamics of Energy Conversion and Transport</u>. Spinger. 2000.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-1395241837608347852010-10-31T21:26:00.000-07:002010-11-01T06:32:59.742-07:00Energy Conversion During The Golf Swing - Part 1 of 3How does the concept of 'Energy' relate to the golf swing? <br />When a player takes the club away from the ball during a golf swing, the goal is solitary - to build up energy. In fact, the entire back swing is designed to build <strong>potential</strong> energy that is being stored for later use. The back swing determines the downswing, where the transfer of energy will take place. For our purposes, the potential energy that is created on the back swing is converted to <strong>kinetic </strong>energy in the transition phase (start of the downswing).<br /><br />Now, potential energy can not be created past the transition phase, so the energy stored at the top of the golf swing is all of the energy present to convert to kinetic energy. Kinetic, i.e. movement, energy is what is used to actually hit the golf ball. It is easy to understand, then, why the proper back swing is so important to the concept of power generation in the golf swing. The proper back swing is comprised of many aspects, but by only three main keys:<br /><br />1) Proper Position<br />2) Proper Equipment<br />3) Proper Physical Capability<br /><br />For proper position, golf lessons with a PGA Professional are important. For proper equipment, visit your local club professional. And for proper physical capability, it is important to be assessed by a TPI Medical Professional. If you are in the Memphis, TN area, the doctors at Germantown Golf Fitness are TPI certified and will be able to provide this service. Call GGF at (901) 590-1065 and visit the websites for more information at:<br />www.germantowngolffitness.com<br />www.sportspinejoint.com<br /><br />There are two other components of energy that dictate how much power the player will be able to deliver at impact. These are:<br /><br />1) Proper Transfer of Energy, and<br />2) Proper Storage of Energy<br /><br />Due to the importance of each of these topics, each will have an entire monthly newsletter devoted to it in the coming months.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Nathan Williams, DCDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-42345651232983998752010-10-03T23:00:00.000-07:002010-10-03T23:28:36.541-07:00The Importance of PsychologyA lot has been made of psychology within the golf world in the past decade or so. The way a player thinks largely impacts the outcome of individual shots and, collectively, the final score of the round. I am surprised at the number of people who routinely work so hard on their physical golf games (hitting balls on the driving range, playing rounds, buying new equipment, etc.) yet rarely, if ever, devote any time to the mental aspect of the game. Dr. Bob Rotella, the world-renowned sports psychologist, says "A golfer has to train his swing on the practice tee, then trust it on the course." The first part of that quote is easy because it encourages the player to work on the physical aspects of the game, with which most players have no trouble. But it is the second part of the quote, and decidedly the most important, that separates the best players from the good players. The ability to think appropriately around the course requires attributes that many players do not naturally possess. Virtues such as patience, planning ahead, recovery from failure, or maintaining perpetual greatness often place the golfer in unfamiliar territory mentally. It is this transition of the mind that is required for the golfer to realize their true potential at that moment. <br /><br />At the same time, however, it is incredibly important to prepare your body physically to merge with the thought processes of the mental game. For instance, the player can not expect to overcome poor conditioning or a lack of proper practice with an improved mental game. Undoubtedly, the physical and the mental aspects of golf must be improved upon individually and congruently. <br /><br />So as you continue to strive for improved physical function through TPI, specific exercise programs, and golf practice, do not negate the mental aspect of the game. Dr. Bob Rotella's book "Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect" is a staple within the golf world. You can start to improve your mental game by reading it and applying some of the principles it teaches. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call Germantown Golf Fitness in Germantown, TN at (901) 590-1065.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Dr. Nathan WilliamsDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-19194326557583278072010-08-29T19:44:00.000-07:002010-08-29T20:28:28.222-07:00A "Good" Swing - What Is It?What attributes make up a "good" swing in your mind? For most people, words like 'graceful', 'fluid', and 'effortless' come to mind when this topic is discussed. Nobody would ever dispute the fact that most professionals on the Tour possess these qualities, but there are some exceptions (i.e. Jim Furyk, Raymond Floyd, etc.). But what about your friend who has a great-looking swing, only to consistently shoot higher scores than he/she is capable? How is that friend different than the pros? Well, to discover the answer, you may need to change your thought process. To this point, all of the descriptors of a "good" swing have been visual inputs by the beholder. The REAL answer is revealed by a computerized process developed by Phil Cheetham, known in the golf world as the 3D Guy, called the Kinematic Sequence. <br /><br />The Kinematic Sequence is monitored by sensors placed on the player at strategic points that allow the capture of key components of the swing. The technology captures components such as hip turn, shoulder turn (and the maximum difference between the two = "X-factor"), hand involvement in the swing, etc. It maps the amount of involvement of each component, and the point in the swing at which the particular component is most active. The result is a series of charted graphs that show your Kinematic Sequence, and it is revolutionizing the way in which the golf swing is analyzed. It answers the question as to why Jim Furyk is so good and your buddy with a "good" swing is struggling. Jim Furyk's swing is goofy-LOOKING, but his Kinematic Sequence is perfect. <br /><br />For more information about the Kinematic Sequence, here is a link to an article written by Phil Cheetham http://www.mytpi.com/images/pdfs/Kinematic%20SequenceTransitionDownswing.pdf. If you have plateaued in your quest for the perfect golf swing and traditional teaching approaches have not helped, search out a person in your area with a K-Vest(one of the tools used to capture the Kinematic Sequence). If you are in the Memphis, TN area, Germantown Golf Fitness would be happy to map your Kinematic Sequence with the K-Vest, and work with your golf professional to help you continue to improve your swing.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Dr. Nathan Williams, DCDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-20750204477538181682010-06-13T17:35:00.000-07:002010-06-29T23:10:11.863-07:00"Full" Backswing: Can You Do It (correctly)?It is often said of professional golfers: “Look at that beautiful, full back swing”. In professional golfers, the backswing is a thing of effortless beauty. In the amateur golfer, however, the back swing is a source of all sorts of problems - both structural and technical. When an amateur player attempts to recreate the type of back swing he sees on t.v.’s coverage of the Tour, he is setting himself up for imminent failure. Here’s why:<br /><br />The average amateur’s body is unable to perform those movements.<br /><br />Now, I’ll elaborate, but that’s the long and short of it. When an amateur player attempts to make a “full” back swing, there is a problem; his body does not allow it. His thoracic spine (mid-back area) does not allow for that amount of rotation, so the player must make it up from other joints of the body, and it is seen in the lumbar spine (low-back area) and the shoulders. Ironically, these areas are the last areas in which the player should be gaining excessive motion. The joints of the shoulders and low-back are susceptible to injury when over-worked. Also, the further the player takes the club from the ball, the more margin for error is created technically. This can result in inconsistent shot results, especially when these motions are uncontrolled (such is the case when an amateur with little flexibility tries to create a “wide arc” or “full back swing”.<br /><br />Here are two pieces of advice for most amateur golfers attempting to recreate Tiger’s back swing. Increase thoracic spine rotation and decrease the length of the back swing. These two keys will allow the player to make a powerful, controlled back swing that increases the chances for desired outcomes and decreases the chances for injury. Get with a local PGA professional to work on shortening your back swing (http://dyn.pga.com/searchtools/pgaofamerica/pgaprofessionals/) and get with a TPI certified health professional to work on increasing thoracic mobility (http://www.mytpi.com/find/default.aspx). All the best.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-797124821032291122010-05-18T23:25:00.000-07:002010-05-18T23:44:52.447-07:00Mindset On The Course: A Long Horse RaceIt has been a while since I've posted, so I apologize. Anyway, let's get on with the important information.<br /><br />In his book The Bald Truth, David Falk, the super-agent to sports greats such as Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, talks about the importance of having a broad perspective. He calls it the "long horse race". He says that in the business world, far too many people have a narrow view when it comes to the end result of an action. They wind up putting too much stock in the here-and-now and neglect long-term positive impacts that their decisions could play in the future. He analogizes this type of thinking to a horse race; a horse can lead out of the gate, he could lead at turn one, he could even lead beginning the home stretch. But no one will ever remember him unless he leads at the finish line. On the other hand, a horse could stumble out of the gate, lose position in turn one, or be in the middle of the pack beginning the home stretch and still win the race. The end result is what really matters. <br /><br />The same is true in golf. Always remember that hole number one is a long way from hole number eighteen. If you birdie number one, great! But it is only a small victory in that moment and your focus must shift to hole number two. What if you bogey number one - what is your response? Ironically, it should be the exact same response as in the earlier scenario. Treat a bogey exactly the same as a birdie while remembering there is plenty of time to recover. In any case, in life and in golf, always keep the end result in mind and attempt to make steps in that direction. Remember, as Mr. Falk puts it, it's a long horse race.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-88358115289250270892010-04-03T22:14:00.000-07:002010-04-03T22:28:45.208-07:00How Smooth Are You?You might think that the title of this post is in reference to your swing. It's actually not. It's about something you do before you ever begin your swing - stabilize. Before you can make a swing, you must have a solid foundation. How strong is your foundation? Let's find out; try this:<br /><br />Assume your 5-iron golf stance as you normally do. Now, slowly push your pelvis all the way forward (flexing your lumbar spine). From here, slowly poke your butt all the way out (fully extending your lumbar spine), all the while maintaining your golf posture. Repeat this process about 10 times.<br /><br />Can you do it without shaking? If so, you have the beginnings of a great foundation for your golf swing (and you are also in the minority). If you do shake while trying to perform this, do this exercise several times a day for the next couple of weeks. You will begin to see that it becomes easier and easrier. The thing you may not see, however, is that strengthening the muscles that control this movement can help prevent injury to your low back when playing golf. This is not the only way to test core strength and this exercise does not target all muscles that need to be strengthened in order to build a strong golf foundation. But it is a simple start that is very much worth your time.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-74325383033137157202010-03-21T22:55:00.000-07:002010-03-21T23:26:36.846-07:00Make Putting "Routine"Have you ever wondered how the best players in the world routinely make 15, 20, even 30 foot putts from week-to-week? Most players are not consistent enough to make putts from hole-to-hole. Well, what's the difference? The best putters in the world have a routine that they utilize to be more consistent in terms of putting. Here's what they do, followed by how you can do it too:<br /><br />1) Mark the ball. As soon as you reach your ball, mark it. This allows you the opportunity to clean your ball and collect your thoughts.<br /><br />2) Read the putt from behind the hole. This is the most critical perspective for determining the line, but not the only criteria.<br /><br />3) Walk around to the other side of the hole. While walking to the other side, take in the terrain. Is it uphill, downhill, sidehill? Do you notice a difference in grain, any impediments in the way, which way is the cup sitting (i.e. slanted), etc.? This also allows you to feel the distance of the putt.<br /><br />3) Read the putt from behind the hole. This allows you to analyze the break from a different angle. Compare it to the read that you got from behind the ball.<br /><br />4) Walk back to your ball on the side opposite that you walked to hole. This allows you to get a 360 degree view/feel of your putt.<br /><br />5) Place your ball, lining up the words on the line you have chosen. Self-explanitory.<br /><br />6) Take several practice strokes focusing on the speed only. Imagine, if you are right-handed and you play golf right-handed, that you are rolling the ball to the hole with your right hand. This is similar to the firmness of your putting stroke.<br /><br />7) Once you determine the correct speed at which to hit the ball, step up to the ball, line the putter up to the pre-determined line, and focus on speed.<br /><br />This, or a variation of it, is the routine most great players use. It allows them to compartmentalize putting into analyzing the overall putt, determining the line, determining the speed, and executing without doing it all at one time. Also, it can be done quickly. It sounds like a long process, but once you get the hang of it, you can perform the steps very quickly. And don't let your playing partners deter you from going to the extra effort of walking around the hole. Before long, they'll be doing it too (after they see your results).Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-17435685971800587012010-03-15T07:17:00.001-07:002010-03-15T07:50:01.210-07:00Practical PracticeThe next time you are at the range, make it a point to practice with a purpose. This can be accomplished in a very practical and easy manner. If you hit 60 balls, the average amount of balls in a medium bucket, hit 10 beginning with a pitching wedge (to develop proper tempo), 5 balls with a 6 iron, and 5 teed balls with a 3-wood. This process will develop good tempo and provide you an opportunity to warm up. With the next 40 balls, play golf. More specifically, if this practice is taking place before the round, 'play' the course you are about to actually play. For example:<br /><br />Think of the hole on which you will begin your round. If it is a straight away par 4, 400 yards with no danger, then pull the appropriate club for the tee shot. Maybe it's a 3-wood or a driver. On the range, hit the shot that you would hit on the course. Then, depending on the result of the shot, decide what shot is appropriate for the next shot. Then, still on the range, hit that shot with the appropriate club. If you miss the green by a good distance, hit the pitch shot to the green. Once you're on the green (or within chipping distance), move on to the next hole and repeat the process. With 40 balls, you should be able to play about 10 holes, maybe more. You must use your pre-shot routine before every shot and have your fairway/green clearly mapped out on the range. <br /><br />If you are practicing on a day that you will not be playing, only dedicate about 20 range balls to 'playing the course'. This will allow about 20 balls afterwards to work on any issues you may be fighting in your swing. This should never be done before a round because you do not want to be working on swing issues on the course, unless you are playing a round with the sole purpose of practicing. <br /><br />This approach will help you practice with a practical purpose. You will see a direct positive impact on your game using this technique.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-25940768222542201092010-03-11T21:33:00.000-08:002010-03-11T22:34:10.647-08:00"The One Thing I've Learned From The Past...."This topic was chosen by a reader:<br /><br />"How do you recover following a poor shot or a bad round?"<br /><br />What is the difference between a great golfer and a good golfer? Or an average golfer and a good golfer? What is the difference between a PGA Tour winner and a journeyman who has never won? This topic is debatable and there are many factors to consider when comparing players. But the best answer to these questions is this: The best players analyze past results with the intention to improve future results. <br /><br />Warren Buffet, the great investor, once said, "The one thing I've learned from the past is that we don't learn from the past". He was speaking in terms of financial investing, but the saying could easily be used in terms of golf. So often we see players who hit balls on the range with no regard for improving. They may hit 200 7-irons, but it's aimless. These players often wonder why they are not seeing the positive results that their efforts should be yielding. But their time is spent in vain because there is no focus. Below, I will describe some ways to improve your thought process in an attempt to dampen the effects of both bad and GOOD shots and rounds.<br /><br />Most players who struggle with inconsistency ask the wrong question following a poor shot or a bad round. The question they ask is "What?". "What happened?", "what was the result?", "what went wrong?", etc. The problem with asking themselves "what?" is that it is not a constructive question. Asking "what" will not help you improve on future results because it keeps you in the past. And the shot is already done or the round is already over. <br />From here on out, every shot you ever hit should be followed with one question: "Why?". "Why?" is constructive. "Why?" returns the player to a place where learning can take place and a foundation can be formed. And from this foundation, improvements can be made. When I say "every" shot should be followed by "why?", I mean it - both good and bad shots. Asking "why" after a good shot can help the player engrain the parts of the swing that worked. After a poor shot, "why" helps to identify problem areas in the swing or mental approach that can be improved upon. You should feel like a 5 year old following a shot, "why is that?, why is THAT?...". Hitting shots with a purpose in mind will allow the golfer to improve no matter at what level they are current playing.<br /><br />This approach allow the player time to analyze the shot: why it went right, why it went wrong, lessons learned, etc. And it also allows the mind to reset prior to the next shot. In medicine, the first action of assessing a trauma patient is to "stop the bleeding". If a patient is bleeding heavily, it really doesn't matter if they are breathing or not because without blood, life is unsustainable (breathing can be done for the patient if need be). The same principle is true in golf: "stop the bleeding". Following a bad shot, ask "why?", analyze it, and move on. Tiger does this better than anyone. He may get angry after hitting a poor shot, but he never allows a poor shot to influence the next shot. When I played in college and professionally, I did not hit two poor shots in a row or bogey two holes in a row (that was the goal, at least). Do not allow yourself to hit two poor shots in row. If that means playing a shot that is not particularly called for on that hole but you know you will put a confident swing on it, do it. In the long run, this approach will yield results. <br /><br />1) Learn from the past<br />2) Ask "why did that happen?" after EVERY shot and round<br />3) Analyze the result<br />4) Move onDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-18792285057351524532010-03-09T01:03:00.000-08:002010-03-09T01:17:10.553-08:00Golf WorkoutsSome golfers believe that lifting wights will hinder their golf swing. If done incorrectly, lifting weights WILL hinder your golf swing. But if you use a golf-specific workout program, particularly if it is designed by the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), your game will yield wonderful results. Look at Camilo Villegas...he is a wonderful example of how optimizing the function of the human body through exercise and fitness can pay dividends. This is literally true as he won last week's Honda Classic and pocketed $1.4 million. Look up a TPI provider in your area to explore options on how to increase your body's strength and function and improve your golf game at the same time. Local providers can be found through the Titleist website or directly at the following link.<br /><br />http://www.mytpi.com/find/default.aspx <br /><br />Fitness is often the final step sought out by serious golfers. But this logic is faulty. It is analogous to building a large, beautiful house and then, once it's built, building a good foundation. That makes about as little sense as a player working hard on their game, swing, mental approach, and equipment only to neglect the most important instrument involved in the game - their body. Improve your fitness this year through a personalized regimen and you will be wondering why you neglected this key aspect so long.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-20958829567631969422010-03-07T20:56:00.000-08:002010-03-07T21:50:34.361-08:00Rotation Is The Key, But.....What is the key to hitting the golf ball with power AND accuracy? Rotation is the key, but it must come from the correct body regions. The key areas of rotation should come from the hips and the part of the spine known as the thoracic region (the middle portion of the spine). Here come the asterisks to the previous statement. It is widely known that the thoracic spine does not rotate very much, maybe 2-3 degrees at each spinal level. But it is not only the spinal rotation in this region that is important. Shoulder blades and the lower cervical spine (the neck portion of the spine) also play important roles. So what is the only portion of the spine not mentioned as a source of rotation? The lumbar spine (the low back region). Ironically, the lumbar spine is a source of rotation for most players who lack distance and consistency. And this is a problem.<br /><br />The problem is two-fold; poor shot results and an increased risk of injury. Power is created in the golf swing by stored energy being transferred into kenetic energy. The more stored energy that is created, in the form of potential energy, by rotation, the more kinetic energy is possible to transfer into the golf ball. This is the "X-Factor" that is often mentioned when the power of the pros is discussed. The rubber band effect, if you will. And if you watch the pros, their lumbar spines do not rotate segmentally - they rotate as one whole unit, as a result of hip rotation. <br />Risk of injury is increased with segmental lumbar spine rotation. The lumbar spine is not designed to rotate under load, yet when players hit the ball without power, they are largely doing just this, due to segmental lumbar rotation. And often, the result of less power is a harder swing. This is a clear recipe for injury - a section of the spine not designed to perform a particular function being called to perform that function harder and harder. <br /><br />So, the next time you travel to the range or course, concentrate on keeping your low back (lumbar spine) straight and use your hips and shoulders to rotate. You will build power, consistency, and most importantly, reduce the risk of injury.Dr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-9813650705919890792010-02-25T06:49:00.000-08:002010-02-25T07:33:57.343-08:00Cut Your Swing In HalfWhen I worked as a golf professional, one of the best ways that I discovered to diagnose a player's swing problem was this: make them hit balls using one-armed swings. Here's what I did and how you can use the method to help your shot outcomes.<br /><br />After warming up on the driving range, hit about 10 shots regularly with an 8 iron to get a feel for how you are swinging that day. Then, take your non-dominant hand off of the club and put it in your pocket. Take a few practice swings using only your dominant hand. Make full swings at about half speed being sure to maintain proper form. Now hit 5 shots using only the one arm and note the results. Now repeat with the opposite arm only. Your drill is over at this point.<br /><br />Why this works: The body is a set of pully mechanisms. In most cases, a player's poor shot outcomes can be traced to one side of the body or the other. The pully system simply is not working congruently. If one side of the body is working properly and the other side is not, you will see the results immediately. When one side has a dysfunction, it can't perform the necessary functions to carry out the intended shot pattern. <br /><br />More than likely one side will yield better results than the other. You should be able to isolate the major swing problems to the problematic side of your body, and this side will be the focus of your practice. If you practice with the problematic side with little or no results, see a golf professional to work with your swing mechanics and/or your chiropractor to assess biomechanics. This drill has been a huge success in helping players overcome shot inconsistency. Let me know how it works for you!<br /><br />Nathan WilliamsDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-70430527187135068472010-02-16T06:04:00.000-08:002010-02-16T06:27:28.738-08:00Winter Preparations for the GolferIt's snowing outside and you are unable to get to the course. I realize that some live in climates far away from snow (Florida, for example), but the snow (or cold) is a reality for a lot of us. So what can the golfer do during the winter season in order to prepare for the upcoming golf season? I'll offer two suggestions:<br /><br />1) Maintain proper biomechanical function<br /><br />-This can be accomplished by implementing a stretching program that focuses on legs, back, shoulders, and neck. Doing this can prevent an early injury that can hinder the rest of your season or longer. And/or visit a chiropractor to verify that your joints are functioning normally.<br /><br />2) Exercise your mind<br /><br />-Mental exercise is at least as important as physical exercise for most efforts in life and golf is certainly no exception. Try playing your favorite course (local or Augusta National) completely in your mind. Try envisioning sights, sounds, smells, and most importantly see yourself making perfect swings with great outcomes. You don't need to play the entire course at one time - this would take four hours! Take about ten minutes at lunch to play one hole. This can also work as an effective stress reliever!<br /><br />-Nathan WilliamsDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-61839008626624119672010-02-08T06:32:00.001-08:002010-02-10T18:59:08.572-08:00Correct Motion Can Be Your KeyHow can functional motion improve your golf game? The answer is simple: if the joints of the body function appropriately, the golfer is allowed to move in optimal ranges of motion. For most players, some joints in the body don't move in full motion. When joints fail to function properly, other joints must make up the difference. Much the same as a team of workers, if a few workers are sitting down on the job, the other workers must make up the difference. The overburdened workers will become tired and production will decline. This is the same scenario that is present in the skeletal system of most golfers. When a few joints in the body 'sit down on the job', others are forced to pick up the slack. This dysfunction can cause a decrease in production and an increase in pain. My advice:<br /><br />1) Begin a stretching program. This can allow the muscles to reorient themselves to bones. Some slight stretching is ok to do before you play, but it is most important AFTER you play. When you reach the trunk of your car following the round, use it to do some leg and low back stretches.<br /><br />2) Use a golf-specific exercise program. By increasing the functional strength of golf-specific muscles, the player can protect the skeletal system and it's components. These can be found online if you feel comfortable, or obtained by a personal trainer, physical therapist, or chiropractor.<br /><br />3) Visit a chiropractor. Chiropractors are trained to locate and treat dysfunction of joints in the body. By normalizing the overall function of joints, better performance and lower levels of pain can be expected.<br /><br />-Nathan WilliamsDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5024786927063452218.post-78725702506808960762010-02-02T06:03:00.001-08:002010-02-10T18:58:43.813-08:00Importance of core muscular strength in shot outcomeWe've all seen it...the overweight guy who hits a huge slice. How many overweight players do you know that hit a draw? Is it possible? Sure it is, it's just not very common. Why is that? Well, in short, players with weak core strength rely on hand speed and swing plane to compensate for dysfunction in the swing. If these compensations are not correct or enough, that player will hit at least a fade and in most cases, a slice. I contend that while swing mechanics are obviously the key to shot production, biomechanics directly influence swing mechanics. Without proper biomechanics, swing mechanics must compensate for the biomechanical inadequacies. As the driver of a car with a twisted frame must continually make corrections to maintain the course of travel, the golfer with a dysfunctional frame must make similar corrections to maintain the clubhead's course of travel. The human frame is of utmost importance in determining swing mechanics and the core musculature is of utmost importance in determining the functionality of the human frame. It is the core that stabilizes and straightens the spine. Additionally, stronger core musculature can help prevent injury during the strenuous act of the golf swing.<br /><br />The muscles that make up the 'core' are usually thought to be the abs and maybe the low back erectors. Actually, the core is made up of most muscles in the trunk, so the body minus the arms and legs. This includes rectus and transversus abdominals, external and internal obliques, multifidi, quadratus lumborum groups, pelvic floor muscles, hip flexors, hip extensors (glutes), and least thought of...the diaphragm. According to other sources, there are more muscles that make up the core but this list is sufficient for our purposes. Basically, the core is a list of muscles that surround the spine and stablize the body in virtually all ranges of motion. With weak core muscles, the golfer subjects himself to increased stress on intrinsic structures such as spinal disks and facet joints. But even if no injury is realized by the golfer, weak core muscles can cause a loss of ability to rotate through the ball effectively. <br /><br />When a player starts his swing, an increasing amount of resistance is created around the trunk. The stronger the core muscles, the more resistance is created (the rubberband effect). With strong muscles, the muscles do the work during the unwind phase through simple rebound, but with a weak core, the energy must be created by a lateral shift, increased foot movement (happy feet), and/or increased hand/arm movements resulting in inconsistency and an increased risk of overuse injury (golfer's elbow or aka medial epicondylitis). When these factors are considered, it is reasonable to conclude that players with weak core muscles subject themselves to a higher risk of injury and poor shot outcomes.<br /><br />It is best to consult your doctor before beginning an exercise routine. See a doctor knowledgeable in functional rehab to see the best results (i.e. chiro, physiatrist or maybe even a pt). <br /><br />The best exercise to begin with is a side plank. Start out laying on your side, bend your knees, and push up on your arm stabilizing yourself on your elbow. *make sure your back is straight during this exercise!<br />Hold for 10 seconds and do 3 sets 2 times a day. Then repeat on the other side. As you progress with your ability, try the exercise with your legs extended and try holding it for 15-20 seconds. <br /><br />More exercises can be done, but this will get you started. Let me know if you have any questions.<br /><br />-Nathan WilliamsDr. Nathan Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00903112786384813025noreply@blogger.com0