Arthritis & the Senior Golfer

What is arthritis? Arthritis (from Greek arthro = joint + -it is = inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. From joint stiffness, inflammation and pain to the inability of joints to function, the symptoms of arthritis are especially bad news for golfers.

Substantial evidence now shows that pain and disability caused by arthritis can be alleviated, and even prevented, through diet, nutritional supplementation, stress reduction, and other alternative therapies (such as magnet therapies). If you have arthritis and love playing golf, some extra preparation and a few simple tips can keep you in the swing, as long as your doctor says golf is tolerable for your condition.

It's a good idea to wear wrist braces and special gloves when you play. This will help stabilize the joints in your wrists and hands.

Always warm up before you play. Do some basic stretches and take some practice swings. Start out swinging about half strength and never try to hit the ball too hard.

Always use tees; even when practicing, so you don't accidentally hit the ground and jolt your joints.

Keep your pelvis as level as possible throughout the swing.

Majority of golf courses are not level, you need to watch your knees as you stroll the course. You may want to wear Therall Joint Warming Knee Support; it is considered as an excellent way to stabilize the knee, it promotes healing by increasing circulation around the tender joint and improves joint mobility.

Walking is good exercise, so take this opportunity to walk instead of using a cart. However, if you're already hurt, use a cart. Don't punish yourself. Instead, you could try Blue-Emu Pain Relief Spray . It is a quick-acting pain reliever that provides cooling temporary relief for minor pains of joints and muscles associated with sprains, strains, arthritis, bruises and other simple body aches. It comes in a 2-ounce convenient-spray bottle so that you can bring it wherever you go.

For an effective pain relief, you might want to try Joint-Rx Joint Supplement . It is the most comprehensive product on the market developed for arthritis, joint pain, anti-inflammatory effects, and joint structure. In one of the most recent clinical trials done on the components in Joint-Rx, 252 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee took this compound and showed significant improvement in joint mobility versus those on placebo. Joint-Rx Joint Supplement is a product developed for people who suffer from pain, swelling and heat in their joints, and it is well suited for golfers who suffer from these conditions.

If you're already an arthritic golfer, it may be necessary to build up the grips on your clubs to relieve some of the stress on your fingers. Alternatively you can ask you club fitter to show you some jumbo grips. Wrist strengthening exercises will also help you to get better power and control on your shots. As for your hands itself, finger stretching and strengthening are helpful. However, if you are still in pain after finishing 3 or 4 holes, then you need to consult your physician or physical therapist as soon as possible, or you could end up loosing your game completely.