New ‘spine lab’ in Arizona will aim to eliminate golfers’ back pain

Back pain and injuries are common ailments for golfers, from recreational players to top-level pros. Tiger Woods has endured multiple surgeries to relieve pain in his back. Fred Couples has been battling back pain for the majority of his career. Jason Day’s back problems have led to tournament withdrawals. There’s Will Zalatoris. Hideki Matsuyama. The list goes on.

There’s no denying that the golf swing is capable of imparting intense pressure on the back, and years of wear and tear can eventually catch up. That’s why one Arizona facility is dedicating significant resources to research and study the treatment of back pain, with the hope of bringing long-term relief to golfers of all abilities. The Barrow Neurological Foundation in Phoenix, Ariz., recently raised $1 million to establish the Sports Biomechanics Spine Lab at Barrow Neurological Institute, which specializes in the treatment, research and education of brain and spinal diseases, conditions and injuries.

According to Barrow, approximately 55 percent of professional golfers and 35 percent of amateur golfers experience sport-related back injuries, with many of these players unsure of how to pursue the best course of treatment. The Barrow Sports Biomechanics Spine Lab, which will be the first of its kind in Arizona, will aim to provide players with science-backed guidelines on how to best treat their injuries and, most importantly, when they can safely return to a regular playing schedule.

Neurosurgeon Randall Porter, MD, and physiatrist and interventional spine specialist Scott Kreiner, MD, will lead the lab, with the lab’s clinicians initially focusing on studying the biometrics of the modern golf swing. Research will include studying golfers of all levels and the use of state-of-the-art analytic equipment to evaluate whether the biomechanics of their swings contribute to back pain.

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“As a neurosurgeon, almost all my golf patients have the same question after surgery or therapy for their back pain: ‘When can I get back to my game?'” Dr. Porter said in a press release. “The Barrow Sports Biomechanics Spine Lab intends to answer that question.”

The initial round of funding for the lab was provided by an inaugural golf tournament, the Barrow Open, which took place at TPC Scottsdale in February and was presented by PXG with special support from the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation.

“Innovation in golf isn’t just about the clubs we create; it’s about empowering every golfer to achieve their best performance,” said PXG and Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation founder Bob Parsons in the release. “At PXG, we are deeply committed to supporting initiatives like the Barrow Sports Biomechanics Spine Lab, where science and sport unite to ensure that every golfer can return to the course stronger than ever.”

For more information on Barrow, click here.