I have been playing disc golf for about 5 years and have recently started experiencing some troubling pain in my neck that I never used to receive. When I follow through (rhbh), especially on spike hyzers or shots that require a lot of power, the right side of my neck and head hurt and burn. My doctor said it was early stages of arthritis (I am 21 years old) and prescribed a muscle relaxant. Does anyone else out there experience this type of pain in their own game? If so, how do you handle it?
Do you throw at all with your opposite hand? You may want to make sure you work out your arms/shoulders/back equally on both sides to make sure your muscles are not imbalanced.
This may happen because of "strong-arming" your disc. AKA, throwing with only your arm instead of using the rest of your body to help out your arm/shoulder/neck area.
You should not continue to play while experiencing that kind of pain. It could be a bulging cervical disc.
You should find a doctor that specializes in sports medicine. You have a serious problem that needs to be diagnosed and treated. Pain pills and muscle relaxers are not the solution.
Thanks all for your input. When I went to the doctor an x-ray was taken so I'm waiting to hear back from a radiologist. I am also looking into some doctors who specialize in sports medicine in my area. Thanks again!
I have also experienced recurring pains from disc golf.
Most of my early problems were in my mid-back right side and my right hip. I saw a sports-centered chiropractor who fixed the problems, but never took x-rays.
Early this year, I got really bad pains on both sides of my lower neck. I went to my dad's chiro, and he took x-rays. My neck from the top of my back to the bottom of my skull was extremely bowed to the left side (I am right-handed). Also I had about 12 deg. of curvature up there. 40+ deg is optimal. Since he has been working with me, my pain has completely dissapeared. He figured 6-9 months of treatment should fix the problem. He has also given me excercises and stetches that I have definitely kept up with. I used to think that chiro's were quacks and not "real" doctors, but now I am convinced other-wise. The fact that "real" doctor's just seem to precribe pills or surgery has also helped convince me.
The main thing I look for in the chiro is that he understands disc golf and what we are doing to ourselves. Also I like my guy as he doesn't take advantadge of me. He charges me a flat rate of $250/month (I have no insurance), and I can see him 5 times a week if I want. I didn't even have to show him anything about DG. I mentioned it and he said, "Oh, that torsion you put on your back is crazy!"
Give it a shot, it worked for me.
Chiropractic can be great. I see an osteopathic doctor who specializes in musclulo-skeletal manipulation, which is very similar. The osteopath charges a lot more but I see him a lot less than I'd see a chiropractor.
After you see a sports medicine specialist and have addressed the underlying problem, think about this: In the 1990s a D.O. who specializes in sports medicine and accident trauma saw me for disc golf related back pain. He said I should start throwing left handed because all the treatments in the world could not correct the underlying problems caused by overdeveloped throwing muscles for one side of the body only. I thought he was nuts and continued to suffer back pain for ten more years.
In 2004 I injured my right elbow and threw left handed for most of a year. I continued to play a lot and even played a few tournaments. My back problems were much diminished throughout this time.
Today, my lefthanded throw is something I can use in a tournament.
When you're feeling better, if you want a long-term solution, include taking some practice throws left handed when you play or practice.