LynnBlakeGolf Forums - Avoiding and healing rib cage injuries,

Oh teach, you'd better believe there are things you can do to heal and prevent. I'm gonna guess you have two primary obstacles. One is a loss of a posture perfect body and the second is that the greatest rotation you make on any given day is your golf swing which you max out every chance you get. The theory on repetative motion is that there's no margin for error or recovery before you max out again. So in your exercise and stretches (I can't tell you how important a well executed torso twist exercise can be to your game) should take you safetly and deliberately to a level of function in a controled state that exceeds your need for repetitive performance. If you get busy strengthening the balance of muscles on the front and back of your spine then your vertebrae and the ribs connected to it will function more efficiently together.

Now hear this; your lat muscle (the one that creates the beautiful V shape on gymnists and swimmers is attached to the front of your upper arm, most of the thorasic vertebrae and is the primary stabilizer for your hips on the back, and by the way responsible for the twisting motion. Now this muscle works with other back muscles but also needs appropriate support from the chest (which is also attached to your upper arm) and the abdominal wall which is attacked to the ribs and is the primary stabilizer for the front of the hips. When we hear of so much hip and back problems you will usually hear that the abdomin provides 70% of low back strength. But these muscles can only provide their magnificently orchestrated athletic efforts if they are in sound relationship to one another.

I recommend looking back to an earlier thread with Martee in relation to arm pain which he is well on his way to eliminating. Print off the exercises and the instructins of how to build and expand your program. There is also a tool that is on most golf retail sites that looks like (and is) a cylinder of styrofoam, maybe about 4 feet long. It look (and is) uncomfortable to lay on when you start but it will allow gravity to stretch the often pesky fascia between the ribs. Start laying on it (head at one end and tailbone at the other) for 2-3 minutes and build up to 10. If you find this too difficult just make it shorter. When you finish let yourself slide off and lay flat for another five minutes. I also love Pete Egoscue's work as it is mostly passive. One of his favories is to lay on your back with your knees completely supported by an ottoman and just lay there, in some cases up to 45 minutes. You would be amazed at the results I get with people with deeply acute and chronic problems.

With all that said, rest is very important, especially if you are having a sharp pain. I train quite heavy and still stretch everyday and do passive postures twice a week. Do these while your listening to the news. You don't really need to see the pictures again anyway.

let me know how you are coming along and remember Posture, posture, posture; oh and golf.

Vickie

Sorry for all the typo's I am behind on all my writing at this point. Gotta go train a golfer.