Injury Concern

[Josh314]

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?

[pickax]

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.

[jasonc]

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.   

[Bruce Brakel]

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. 

[Josh314]

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!

[Tafe Hemler]

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.

[Bruce Brakel]

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.