Golfing wrist injuries are common with treatment requiring 1-3 months of rest and immobilization and if tears are present surgery. Can chiropractic treatment help avoid surgery, expedite recovery, and rehabilitation?
Golfing Wrist Injuries
Golfing Wrist Injuries: According to a study, there are over 30,000 golf-related injuries treated in American emergency rooms every year. (Walsh, B. A. et al, 2017) Nearly a third are related to a strain, sprain, or stress fracture.
This causes pain and inflammation and is usually accompanied by a grinding sensation when moving the thumb and wrist.
Chiropractic Treatment
Given the nature of these injuries, medical attention should be sought out for image scans to look at any damage and properly immobilize the wrist. Once a fracture has been ruled out or healed, golfing wrist injuries can benefit from chiropractic and physical therapy. (Hulbert, J. R. et al, 2005) A typical treatment may involve a multifaceted approach involving various therapies including:
Active release therapy, myofascial release, athletic taping, corrective exercise, and stretching.
A chiropractor will examine the wrist and its functioning to determine the nature of the injury.
A chiropractor may recommend using a splint to immobilize the wrist, particularly in cases of overuse.
They will relieve pain and swelling first, then focus on strengthening the joint.
They may recommend a regimen of icing the hand.
Adjustments and manipulations will relieve pressure on the nerves to reduce swelling and restore mobility.
Peripheral Neuropathy Successful Recovery
References
Walsh, B. A., Chounthirath, T., Friedenberg, L., & Smith, G. A. (2017). Golf-related injuries treated in United States emergency departments. The American journal of emergency medicine, 35(11), 1666–1671. doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2017.05.035
Moon, H. W., & Kim, J. S. (2023). Golf-related sports injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Journal of exercise rehabilitation, 19(2), 134–138. doi.org/10.12965/jer.2346128.064
Ray, G., Sandean, D. P., & Tall, M. A. (2023). Tenosynovitis. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Zouzias, I. C., Hendra, J., Stodelle, J., & Limpisvasti, O. (2018). Golf Injuries: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 26(4), 116–123. doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00433
Tan, H. K., Chew, N., Chew, K. T., & Peh, W. C. (2014). Clinics in diagnostic imaging (156). Golf-induced hamate hook fracture. Singapore medical journal, 55(10), 517–521. doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2014133
Hulbert, J. R., Printon, R., Osterbauer, P., Davis, P. T., & Lamaack, R. (2005). Chiropractic treatment of hand and wrist pain in older people: systematic protocol development. Part 1: informant interviews. Journal of chiropractic medicine, 4(3), 144–151. doi.org/10.1016/S0899-3467(07)60123-2
Dislocations impact the joint and are injuries that force/knock the bones out of position. Dislocations can be caused by a motor vehicle collision, falls, sports trauma, or weakened muscles and tendons. However, less impact/force is needed to dislocate smaller joints. Dislocations commonly occur at the shoulders, ankles, knees, hips, elbows, fingers and toes, and the jaw. The experience causes swelling, inability to move, and pain. A joint dislocation chiropractor can manipulate, reset, rehabilitate and strengthen the affected area and rebalance the body.
Joint Dislocation
The region where two or more bones come together is a joint. Each has a primary function, but their functions overlap. The joints allow the bones to move/articulate the skeletal system. Maintaining the body’s balance requires mobility and stability.
Mobility is the ability to move the body without restriction.
Stability is maintaining equilibrium, healthy posture, and support during movement.
The stable joints do not dislocate easily because their structures are not as flexible.
Mobile joints are at an increased risk, as they can move in almost any direction.
The kinetic chain is a sequence of joints forming an alternating pattern of stability and mobility that create a solid platform for dynamic movement. However, any joint can become dislocated, causing the affected area to become unsteady or immobile, strain or tear the surrounding muscles, nerves, and tendons which are the tissues that connect the bones to a joint.
A joint can be partially dislocated/subluxation or fully dislocated.
Joints dislocated previously have an increased risk of re-dislocating because the surrounding tissues that hold the joint have been torn or overly stretched.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. Common symptoms include:
Instability
Loss of ability to move
Swelling
Bruising
Pain
Visible deformation
Increased Risk
Various factors can lead to joint dislocation, including:
Weakness of the supporting ligaments and muscles from natural wear and tear/age or lack of physical conditioning.
Older individuals with poor balance are more vulnerable to falls that can knock joints out of place.
Young children developing have more elastic supporting ligaments and are prone to falls, collisions, and other injuries.
Previous dislocations with overstretched or torn supporting tissues.
Repeated dislocations are likely to follow the shoulder, knee, and hip.
Physical activities like extreme sports, contact sports, or sports that involve quick body shifts, twists, and turns on the feet.
Physically demanding job.
Operating heavy machinery/equipment.
Joint hypermobility is common in children and around 5% of adults. It can be caused by weak or loose ligaments, weak or loose muscles, and/or shallow joint sockets.
Joint Dislocation Chiropractic
Treatment will vary based on the severity of the injury and the dislocated joint. Depending on the location and severity, a chiropractor will perform different movements/manipulations to realign the joint and strengthen the area.
Significant force could be necessary to pull the bones apart to realign them back into their proper position.
The joint may need to be pulled out and rotated slightly before being put back.
The focus is on increasing ligament strength.
Once the joint is back in place, it may need to remain immobile, possibly using a sling or splint to help fully heal the injury.
Physical therapy exercises will be recommended to strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the joint to support it optimally.
Shoulder Pain Chiropractic
References
Dizdarevic, Ismar, et al. “Epidemiology of Elbow Dislocations in High School Athletes.” The American journal of sports medicine vol. 44,1 (2016): 202-8. doi:10.1177/0363546515610527
Hodge, Duncan K, and Marc R Safran. “Sideline management of common dislocations.” Current sports medicine reports vol. 1,3 (2002): 149-55. doi:10.1249/00149619-200206000-00005
Prechel, Ulla et al. “The Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation.” Deutsches Arzteblatt international vol. 115,5 (2018): 59-64. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0059
Skelley, Nathan W et al. “In-game Management of Common Joint Dislocations.” Sports health vol. 6,3 (2014): 246-55. doi:10.1177/1941738113499721
T-bone accidents/collisions, also known as side-impact or broadside collisions where the front end of one car slams into the side of another, can result in severe injuries and tend to have a more devastating effect on the body. Side impact collisions account for 24% of driver or passenger deaths; even at 30 mph, side-impacts regularly cause injuries to the occupants of the struck car. Modern vehicles have many safety features, including safety belt features, airbags, and collision avoidance systems that protect drivers and passengers from front and rear collisions; however, when it comes to side-impact, occupants tend to remain unprotected.
T-Bone Side Collision Causes
T-bone accidents usually happen at intersections. Usual Causes of T-bone accidents involve someone failing to yield the right of way. The most common causes include:
A driver makes a risky left turn at an intersection, believing the other car/s will stop.
A driver decides to run a red light crashing into a vehicle making a left turn.
A driver runs through a stop sign, slams into a vehicle, or gets slammed.
Back injuries can damage the spinal cord causing herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic pain that can radiate to the rest of the body.
Treatment and Recovery
Individuals have different recovery times and depend on the severity of the injury and on any pre-existing conditions. Brain injuries and spinal issues can take months to recover fully. Fractures placed in a hard or soft cast to heal for weeks or months can lead to muscle atrophy. Chiropractic therapeutic massage and decompression strengthens muscle weakness, resets and realigns the spinal column, improves range of motion/movement, strengthens grip, and relieves pain.
Neurosurgeon Explains DRX9000
References
Gierczycka, Donata, and Duane Cronin. “Importance of impact boundary conditions and pre-crash arm position for the prediction of thoracic response to pendulum, side sled, and near side vehicle impacts.” Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering vol. 24,14 (2021): 1531-1544. doi:10.1080/10255842.2021.1900132
Hu, JunMei, et al. “Chronic widespread pain after motor vehicle collision typically occurs through immediate development and nonrecovery: results of an emergency department-based cohort study.” Pain vol. 157,2 (2016): 438-444. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000388
Lidbe, Abhay, et al. “Do NHTSA vehicle safety ratings affect side impact crash outcomes?.” Journal of safety research vol. 73 (2020): 1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2020.02.001
Mikhail, J N. “Side impact motor vehicular crashes: patterns of injury.” International journal of trauma nursing vol. 1,3 (1995): 64-9. doi:10.1016/s1075-4210(05)80041-0
Shaw, Greg et al. “Side impact PMHS thoracic response with a large-volume airbag.” Traffic injury prevention vol. 15,1 (2014): 40-7. doi:10.1080/15389588.2013.792109
Diabetes and severe blood sugar fluctuations can lead to back pain and spinal conditions. The negative impacts on the body from diabetes can be destructive as it is a state of chronic inflammation.
Spine Conditions and Diabetes
Spinal conditions being researched and their link to diabetes can affect each condition and its development differently.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is when the spine’s openings foraminabegin to shrink and narrow, causing the nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord to have less space to function.
The stenosis can compress one or more lumbar spinal nerves.
Pain, tingling, weakness, and/or numbness in the legs can begin to present.
Spinal Epidural Abscess
Spinal epidural abscess is an infection between the vertebral bones and the spinal cord membrane.
Diabetes increases the risk of infection and increases the risk of developing an abscess.
Hypertension and obesity can also increase the risk of infection.
Lumbar Disc Degeneration
The back contains spinal discs between each vertebra that are the shock absorbers.
Lumbar disc degeneration occurs when one or more discs begin to break down.
The disc’s deterioration causes changes in the lumbar/lower back structure.
The degeneration also causes back pain.
Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging and is expected. However, those who have lived with diabetes for over ten years have a higher risk of developing advanced lumbar disc degeneration. To prevent disc degeneration and/or minimize the adverse effects, it’s essential to maintain blood sugar levels.
Vertebral Osteomyelitis
Vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare spinal infection resulting from a spinal injury or post-surgical complication/s.
It is a bacterial infection that can travel to the spine from another location.
Diabetes increases susceptibility to infections.
For example, an individual with diabetes could have a foot ulcer, lower back pain, and a fever, symptoms that could indicate the development of vertebral osteomyelitis.
Chiropractic and Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression is an effective non-surgical technique that can relieve back pain, leg pain, and symptoms associated with spinal conditions and disorders. It works by gently creating traction/pulling force with a specialized mechanical decompression table combined with chiropractic massage and adjustments. Benefits include:
Pain relief
Decompression relieves tension in tight, spasming, or injured muscles.
Stimulates the nervous system to release chemical signals that bring pain relief.
Heals spinal disc tissues
Decompression creates a vacuum force on the spinal discs, helping to circulate much-needed fluids, cells, and other substances to the damaged tissue/s.
Restores spinal disc and joint alignment
Stress, poor posture, poor body mechanics, and other factors can cause joints to shift out of place or the discs to herniate.
The vacuum force helps realign the joints and discs.
Prevents further pain and inflammation.
Restores mobility and function.
Relieves pressure on nerves
Spinal nerves can get pinched when discs, bones, or other tissues compress the small spaces causing inflammation and pain.
Non-surgical decompression increases the space around the nerves, allowing the nerves to heal.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic offer spinal decompression as one of many treatment approaches to restore a high quality of life.
DOC Decompression Table
References
Anekstein, Yoram, et al. “Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for the development of lumbar spinal stenosis.” The Israel Medical Association journal: IMAJ vol. 12,1 (2010): 16-20.
Eivazi, Maghsoud, and Laleh Abadi. “Low back pain in diabetes mellitus and importance of preventive approach.” Health promotion perspectives vol. 2,1 80-8. 1 Jul. 2012, doi:10.5681/hpp.2012.010
Heuch, Ingrid et al. “Associations between serum lipid levels and chronic low back pain.” Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) vol. 21,6 (2010): 837-41. doi:10.1097/EDE.0b013e3181f20808
Rinaldo, Lorenzo, et al. “Diabetes and Back Pain: Markers of Diabetes Disease Progression Are Associated With Chronic Back Pain.” Clinical diabetes: a publication of the American Diabetes Association vol. 35,3 (2017): 126-131. doi:10.2337/cd16-0011
Automobile accidents and crashes can cause all kinds of damage to the body even when the accident/crash is not severe. Physical symptoms might not present at all for several days, even weeks. This is known as having delayed injury symptoms. These can include:
Swelling.
Stiffness.
Aching.
Pain that radiates all over the body.
Sleep problems.
Headaches.
Brain fog.
Disorientation.
Memory problems.
Chiropractic and physical therapy rehabilitation can restore the body’s alignment, stop inflammation, loosen, stretch and strengthen the musculoskeletal system restoring optimal health.
Adrenaline
When the body is involved in a dangerous physical situation, it protects itself by releasing a surge of adrenaline. This hormone protects the body, causing the fight or flight response when in danger. Adrenaline causes several preservation responses that include:
Intense increase in energy.
Little or no pain.
Enlarged blood vessels and airways increase oxygen flow.
Increased strength from increased blood flow to the muscles.
Changes in vision and hearing that focus on sights and sounds all around.
Endorphins are released that make the body feel calm and in control.
Endorphins affect the way the body responds to pain and stress.
Individuals don’t start feeling aches and pains until the adrenaline and endorphins wear off. However, because everybody is different and the emergency response has turned off, the body still might not feel the injury symptoms. These are delayed injury symptoms.
Rate of Speed
When riding in a vehicle, the body moves at the same speed as the vehicle. During an impact, the vehicle stops, but the body continues moving until it stops, typically with a lot of force from the seatbelt, airbag, or other barriers. The intense momentum change can cause soft tissue damage and ligament or muscle strains from the stretching, pulling, contracting, and tearing. Also, the intervertebral discs can tear, bulge, or herniate over time, creating pressure on nerves and the surrounding tissues.
Delayed Injury Symptoms
Headaches
Headaches that develop days after an accident/crash are common.
They can signal a possible injury to the neck or head, a blood clot on the brain, or a concussion.
Back pain can be caused by injury to the muscles, ligaments, nerves, or damage to the vertebrae.
Low back pain occurs in more than half of rear-impact collisions and almost three-quarters of side-impact crashes.
Chiropractic Rehabilitation
After an accident, soft tissues can sustain minimal damage; however, the minimal damage left untreated can start to worsen and turn into a painful condition. Emergency room visits are to rule out major injuries like brain/nerve injuries, bleeding, punctures, lacerated organs, fractures that require emergency stabilization. Chiropractors look for other symptoms and mechanisms that indicate damage to the body’s soft tissues and nerves to see if they have been stretched or torn and dysfunction in the nervous system.
Body Composition
Calorie Counting
Counting calories can be a stepping stone to change behavior towards food. Tracking what foods are being taken into the body promotes mindfulness of dietary habits. Studies on the subject reveal a significant association between self-monitoring and weight loss. Takeaways include:
Take small steps by saying no to second portions during dinner or take a healthy sweet snack or piece of fruit instead of a pastry, cookie, etc.
Try to start making a habit of eating less processed foods.
Meals high in protein and fiber are generally more filling, making the body feel fuller from fewer calories.
The more attention there is to the food choices, the more likely reexamination occurs.
References
Burke, Lora E et al. “Self-monitoring in weight loss: a systematic review of the literature.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association vol. 111,1 (2011): 92-102. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2010.10.008
D’Elia, Michael A et al. “Motor vehicle collision with seatbelt sign and traumatic abdominal wall hernia should raise suspicion for hollow viscus injury.” Trauma case reports vol. 22 100206. 25 May. 2019, doi:10.1016/j.tcr.2019.100206
Kacprzynski, Gregory, and Joshua Bucher. “Delayed vertebral artery dissection after mild trauma in a motor vehicle collision.” The American Journal of emergency medicine vol. 45 (2021): 678.e1-678.e2. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.11.028
Olinger, Catherine, and Richard Bransford. “Upper Cervical Trauma.” The Orthopedic clinics of North America vol. 52,4 (2021): 451-479. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2021.05.013
Sterling, Michele. “Whiplash-associated disorder: musculoskeletal pain and related clinical findings.” The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy vol. 19,4 (2011): 194-200. doi:10.1179/106698111X13129729551949
As the weather gets colder, individuals may feel like their muscles and joints are frequently stiff and experience more aches and pains. This is even more evident for individuals that work outside in the winter or with specific ailments/conditions. Colder weather can increase the risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries and intensify the condition.
How Colder Weather Impacts The Muscles
Individuals with arthritic conditions might find that symptoms become exacerbated. This can keep individuals away from regular activities. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis tend not to react well to weather sudden atmospheric changes, worsening symptoms. However, individuals are well aware of how their body feels and moves when colder weather is present with or without existing conditions. Movement slows down, and when trying to move, the muscles can contract involuntarily, causing tension and stiffness. This usually results in soreness and pain. Feeling warm, safe, and comfortable is essential for the body’s overall health. Overuse and overexertion can increase the risk of injury in colder temperatures.
Barometric Pressure
When the weather gets colder, barometric pressure drops. The Body’s tissues like the muscles, tendons, and ligaments expand. This places pressure on nerves near the joints, causing discomfort and pain.
In cold weather, the fluid density in the joints lessens, causing the bones to rub against each other harder because the fluid is not thick enough to allow for proper lubrication.
The cold makes the muscles shiver, contract, and tighten. This can compress the nerves in the joints and increase pain symptoms.
Prevent Stiffness and Musculoskeletal-Related Injuries
Maintain an active lifestyle
It is recommended to engage in physical activity to exercise the muscles and joints.
A chiropractor can also help manage musculoskeletal condition-related pain during the winter months and help prevent musculoskeletal conditions for individuals that work outdoors.
Heil, Kieran et al. “Freezing and non-freezing cold-weather injuries: a systematic review.” British medical bulletin vol. 117,1 (2016): 79-93. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldw001
Kowtoniuk, Robert A et al. “Cutaneous Cold Weather Injuries in the US Military.” Cutis vol. 108,4 (2021): 181-184. doi:10.12788/cutis.0363
Long, William B 3rd et al. “Cold injuries.” Journal of long-term effects of medical implants vol. 15,1 (2005): 67-78. doi:10.1615/jlongtermeffmedimplants.v15.i1.80
Walking for a healthy back. This simple form of exercise can:
Trim the waistline.
Elevate mood.
Reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Improve back health.
Chiropractors recommend walking because of the ease of the workout and the health benefits it provides. It is a simple, low-impact exercise that can significantly improve the body’s overall health in a short amount of time. It improves back health by:
Strengthening the muscles that support the spine.
Improves posture.
Facilitates strong circulation.
Improves bone strength.
Walking For A Healthy Back
Strengthens Muscles
Walking engages all of the muscles which keep the body upright, including the core, leg, and back muscles. Muscle strength increases, providing optimal support of the spine.
Optimize Bone Health
Bone is living tissue like the muscles, and exercise stimulates bone the same way as muscle, gradually increasing strength.
Studies have found that walking improves bone density and reduces bone loss.
Poor posture is one of the most common reasons why individuals have back pain.
Poor posture affects mobility and places a significant amount of strain on the back.
Walking a few times each week engages and strengthens the back muscles keeping the body straight.
Reduces Weight
Many individuals have lower back pain that is caused by excess weight.
The added weight causes the front of the body to shift forward, placing additional strain on the lower back.
Walking reduces the load on the lower back.
Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion
Combined with stretching, walking improves flexibility and range of motion, making it easier to perform everyday activities reducing the risk of back injuries.
Improves Circulation to the Spinal structures
Walking improves blood circulation, delivers nutrients to the soft tissues, and removes toxins.
Added Benefits include:
Stress relief.
Better sleep.
Improved skin tone.
Lower risk of diabetes.
Reduced risk of depression.
Improved cardiovascular health that lowers the risk of:
High blood pressure.
Heart disease.
Stroke.
Before Exercising
Before beginning an exercise program, it’s essential to consult a doctor or chiropractor for individuals that have not exercised for a while or are dealing with underlying condition/s. They will educate and recommend how much exercise is appropriate given their current fitness level and overall health. To maximize the benefits of walking and prevent injuries:
Use High-Quality Tennis or Walking Shoes
Walking is much more enjoyable and safer when the body is comfortable.
Improving comfort levels is by using a pair of high-quality walking shoes or trainers.
They will provide proper support, cushioning, and adequate traction.
Maintain Proper Posture
Stay aware of body position when walking. A few key points to keep in mind:
Place the heel down first.
Then roll through each part of the foot, ending on the point of the toes.
Keep the shoulders back and head up.
Lift from the hips to reduce the impact on the lower joints.
Keep a slight bend in the arms and smoothly swing them back and forth.
Turn Walking Into a Healthy Habit
In the beginning, aim for at least 5 to 7 walks each week that last 25 minutes.
Speed does not matter as the objective is to get out and walk.
Once walking starts turning into a healthy habit with improvements in health, then start walking faster and longer.
Interval Walking
Interval walking involves short periods of high-intensity walking followed by alonger period of slow walking.
This increases cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength.
Begin with a 1-minute interval of fast walking.
This is followed by 2 minutes of slower walking.
Take On Easy Obstacles
Makes the walks more challenging by walking up or down a hill.
They will help strengthen the arms, shoulders, and upper back.
Body Composition
Building Lean Body Mass
Lean Body Mass is the body’s total weight minus the fat. This includes all the weight of the muscles, organs, and total body water. The best way to develop muscle and Lean Body Mass is to adopt a resistance training program. As stronger muscles are developed, the size and amount of the muscle cells increases. The muscles then require more intracellular water, which allows them to function at optimal levels. As the muscles grow and take in more water, Lean Body Mass increases.
References
Morris, J N, and A E Hardman. “Walking to health.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 23,5 (1997): 306-32. doi:10.2165/00007256-199723050-00004
Nauman, Javaid et al. “Walking in the Fast Lane: High-Intensity Walking for Improved Fitness and Health Outcomes.” Mayo Clinic proceedings vol. 94,12 (2019): 2378-2380. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.10.020
Vanti, Carla et al. “The effectiveness of walking versus exercise on pain and function in chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.” Disability and rehabilitation vol. 41,6 (2019): 622-632. doi:10.1080/09638288.2017.1410730
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
