Joint pain

[harmonjefferson79]

I am getting old. There is no question about that. I was wondering if any of you take anything...ie supplements. For pain? For joint support? For energy/focus? Any topical rubs? Any protein/super greens shakes? Any other things that you feel help your game? 

 

Thanks in advance!

[ColoradoFife]

Stretching has been a substantial improvement on my overall health, game and wellbeing. I stretch every night and perform additional stretches the day before a round. Stretching has helped with stiff joints and pain, but the biggest improvement has been the substantial amount of weight I loss. But for the days that I cannot outstretch joint stiffness, I find that CBD works well. It was my father that introduced me to CBD after he started taking it for joint pain developed after beating cancer.  

[RollingGreens]

Stretching is important. Daily exercise. Turmeric is very successful for general aches and pains as well as utilization for arthritis relief medications. CBD gum is also not a bad option. Volt stem gel for a topical cream for relief. Big fan of yoga even a beginners class for flexibility and stability. 

[Stuka44]

20 hours ago, harmonjefferson79 said:

I am getting old. There is no question about that. I was wondering if any of you take anything...ie supplements. For pain? For joint support? For energy/focus? Any topical rubs? Any protein/super greens shakes? Any other things that you feel help your game? 

 

Thanks in advance!

I will echo the above comments.  I've tried to start a physical fitness regimen, jogging, lifting light weights etc. (without success really).  I am 54 never had any substantial injuries to speak of, but just general back strains, some arthritis in my back etc., things that come with getting older.

About 4 months ago I began to take 10-15 minutes in the morning to stretch hopefully 4 times a week or more.  It has made a world of difference in how I feel in general, and after playing a round.  I also take an Aleve before I go and play, seems to help with the aches, when I'm done.

[alfriday101]

Two things have greatly helped me.  I'm 63.

 

First, regular stretching.  I stretch each morning for about 10 minutes, the first part of the routine is while still in the bed.   I have golf specific stretches that I do before each round or practice session.  And I do half hour yoga sessions at night, two to three times a week.  It sounds like a lot, but it's pretty easy to build into my day.  

Second, I have adopted an eating plan that emphasizes  gut health--eliminating or cutting down on most foods that cause inflammation.  I used to have chronic sore joints, especially my hands, knees and lower back.  Moving to eating meals heavy in vegetables, fermented foods and healthy fats (olive oil) and low in simple carbs and sugar has really helped with inflammation and joint soreness.  I eat very few highly processed foods.      

[Curtis Atkinson]

Literally just posted about this on the injury thread. 99% of amateur golfers would see significant and most substantial improvement to their games by incorporating regular yoga. 

[higherplane]

Yoga can do wonders and prior to playing or any muscle strain you can do dynamic stretching.  You can google these.  Starting out less is more.   Also believe in ibuprofen - but can cause stomach issues.           

[JDHolmes]

Prednisone. Magic! 

[ole gray]

On 6/1/2021 at 5:41 PM, ColoradoFife said:

Stretching has been a substantial improvement on my overall health, game and wellbeing. I stretch every night and perform additional stretches the day before a round. Stretching has helped with stiff joints and pain, but the biggest improvement has been the substantial amount of weight I loss. But for the days that I cannot outstretch joint stiffness, I find that CBD works well. It was my father that introduced me to CBD after he started taking it for joint pain developed after beating cancer.  

Good advice!   I love exercise and I take CBD daily.  It definitely helps my post round soreness.  

[JFish350]

On 6/1/2021 at 2:41 PM, ColoradoFife said:

Stretching has been a substantial improvement on my overall health, game and wellbeing. I stretch every night and perform additional stretches the day before a round. Stretching has helped with stiff joints and pain, but the biggest improvement has been the substantial amount of weight I loss. But for the days that I cannot outstretch joint stiffness, I find that CBD works well. It was my father that introduced me to CBD after he started taking it for joint pain developed after beating cancer.  

I am the same boat here. Stretch, lost some weight. At 51 and abusing my body aches and pains are part of life. I bought some VooDoo pain relief that Hank Haney peddles. It works for me and I like it.  CBD has an odd smell to me but it works as well, I prefer the VooDoo. 

[Kenny B]

Depends on what joint.  At 74 most joints hurt most of the time.  Knee replaced.  Changed my swing to be less stressful on lower back.  Currently, the most pain is in my hands and wrists.  

Stretching is always helpful just to wake up the muscles I have left.  CBD cream and VooDoo on the hands and wrists is needed sometimes, but I don't like the feel after they are rubbed in, so I have to wash them off before playing.  I always take 2 generic naproxen when arrive at the course; seems to make the round play easier and have less pain after the round.  It replaced the hydrocodone I used before knee replacement.  

When arthritis sets in, there is not much good that can be done.  The joint pain becomes a part of the golfing life.  I've gotten used to it.

[GaDawg]

Like most have stated, stretching will help a lot. Below is a link of some examples that I do.

https://www.healthline.com/health/tight-hips#stretches

[Alf. S]

I take Glucosamine Sulphate 1500mg a day and I do feel a difference, it is not like night and day but I feel they help.

I also have a massage gun that I use on my lower back, which is where I have the most tightness and anywhere else that is tight or giving me problems.

But like most people say stretching to try and keep the muscle supple and getting use to it. They say 60 is the new 40, mentally that maybe the case but my body begs to differ.

Edited June 8, 2021 by Alf. S

[Larryd3]

On 6/6/2021 at 8:49 PM, JDHolmes said:

Prednisone. Magic! 

yep except for it makes me crazy, my mouth filter goes away and it works way quicker than my brain.  When I lived in Houston for a bunch of years I had horrible asthma and took a bunch of prednisone at different times.  There were several unpleasant experiences and outbursts.  Luckily my family understood and I worked hard at keeping my mouth shut.  So now I do my best to stay away from the stuff.  

[AZ_Hacker]

On 6/3/2021 at 8:58 AM, alfriday101 said:

Two things have greatly helped me.  I'm 63.

 

First, regular stretching.  I stretch each morning for about 10 minutes, the first part of the routine is while still in the bed.   I have golf specific stretches that I do before each round or practice session.  And I do half hour yoga sessions at night, two to three times a week.  It sounds like a lot, but it's pretty easy to build into my day.  

Second, I have adopted an eating plan that emphasizes  gut health--eliminating or cutting down on most foods that cause inflammation.  I used to have chronic sore joints, especially my hands, knees and lower back.  Moving to eating meals heavy in vegetables, fermented foods and healthy fats (olive oil) and low in simple carbs and sugar has really helped with inflammation and joint soreness.  I eat very few highly processed foods.      

^ This.  Yoga, stretching and diet are key to your overall health and flexibility.  I'm 59 and completely changed my diet about five years ago.  I don't eat sugar, eggs, dairy, fish, minimal meat (sometimes you have no choice) and zero processed foods.  Plants only (70/20/10 Carbs/Protein/Fat).  I know that sounds extreme (and goes against the incredibly extreme no carbs diets) but I went from only being able to play a maximum of every couple of days (because of joint pain and soreness) to being able to play every day if I choose.  I credit almost all of that to a change in diet.  There have been other benefits like regulating my blood pressure and cholesterol and reducing the plaque in my arteries by eighty percent.  I'm no longer medications (BP, cholesterol, allergy) which had some significant side affects that were not so wonderful.  I also dropped forty pounds and regulated my weight.  On the negative side, I'm dealing with some foot pain and golfer's elbow which is more an issue with practicing and playing significantly more golf (which is a good thing), but I've got a handle on those things.  As you get older you have to make some hard choices about your health.  If you don't, you will be watching your buddies heading to the course while you are dealing with health issues.  I see it everyday.  I'm choosing not to be a victim of my own poor choices in the past.

I'm starting now to add in some stretching and other light aerobic exercise (other than walking the course), but diet and stretching is key.  I don't think we have any idea what the crap food we eat actually does to our body long term.  The easy answer it to take a fistful of pills but it all catches up to you as we get older.  Also, someone else mentioned that things like taking Aleve before a round helps.  It most definitely does, but it can also ruin your gut health/biome so best to try your hardest to avoid those things.  Scientists are now saying your gut is your second brain.  There may be some truth to that.

[fixyurdivot]

I recently switched from steel to composite iron shafts... shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand pains gone.  While all the above suggested remedies are good, you might also consider equipment changes if you haven't already done so. 

[PBH3]

Advil and bourbon 

[alikprohor]

Try taking anti-inflammatory drugs, but be sure to consult your doctor first. I also recommend you to take massages. It works very well. 

[pakman92]

On 12/15/2021 at 9:11 AM, fixyurdivot said:

I recently switched from steel to composite iron shafts... shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand pains gone.  While all the above suggested remedies are good, you might also consider equipment changes if you haven't already done so. 

I second this recommendation.  I switched from steel to steelfiber shafts in my irons.  It has helped tremendously with elbow pain.  Less shock from hitting the mat.  Less vibration on missed hits.  It was night and day for me.  I also take 2 advil before and after practice as well as rounds.   Icing has always helped me.  When I ice for 30 minutes after practice/round, I don't have pain next day.  If I don't, I feel it in my elbow the next day.

Stay healthy.

[JessicaBaker]

Icing helps a lot, sometimes if you don't do it, you'll just have to skip the practice for the next day because of the pain. The problem is that it's hard to perform it at home, because you need a lot of ice all the time, which is at least expensive to buy all the time, additional costs. There is a better option, it's called chiropractic https://adriameduae.com/, some people probably know about it, it's a very effective method and it's much cheaper than buying tons of ice per month.

 

Edited May 1, 2022 by JessicaBaker

[Kenny B]

48 minutes ago, JessicaBaker said:

Icing helps a lot, sometimes if you don't do it, you'll just have to skip the practice for the next day because of the pain.

Takes a lot of ice to fill a bathtub.  

[urickad]

Unfortunately, in the modern world, joint diseases have become much younger. Problems with the musculoskeletal system occur even in very young people. This is due to lifestyle, excessive exertion (and lack of proper physical activity), the use of a magnetic food, poor-quality water, constant stress, negative emotions, as well as poor ecology. Joint diseases often worsen during the cold season, due to hypothermia. Ayurveda has a clear explanation for this. You can learn more about the treatment with https://www.alveda.life/.

Edited May 16, 2022 by urickad

[drb1956]

I am subscribing to the Walter Payton pain management theory. He did not like taking drugs for his pain during his playing days, so he would train his mind to block out the pain, and trained his body to live with it. I currently have osteoarthritis in all my joints. I am a local truck driver, in and out of the truck all day, climbing on ladders to docks, climbing up in the trailer, and some days I wake up I feel like 90, currently 65. I get my mind in order for the day, and some days are more difficult than others, but I don't want to start on anti-inflammatories, as it will get to easy to have them as a crutch. Going to wait as long as I can do it this way. My doctor does not hold much hope for this, but I have been doing this for quite a few years, as like maybe the last 20. I don't ache after a round, even the next day I feel pretty good, with minor stiffness, especially in my hands. Good luck to you...

[NC Golfer]

excited to try qunol tumeric & ginger powder. I'd rather drink it than pop pills. Plus, it is sugar free. Anyone try this? Taking it for an arthritic big toe.

Edited June 26, 2022 by NC Golfer