Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery

HSS Experts Offer Tips To Prevent Back Injuries When Playing Golf

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:02:23 -0400

Golf is an enjoyable activity accessible to people of all ages and skill levels, but it can take a toll on the body if proper care isn't taken. The twisting, bending, and repetitive motions involved in a golf swing can place significant strain on the back, and good practices are essential to prevent back injuries.

In an interview with Essential Golf, HSS experts including physiatrists Nicole Angelo, DO, MS, Andrew Paul Creighton, DO, spine surgeon, Sravisht Iyer, MD, and sports medicine surgeon Ayoosh Pareek, MD, offer tips to prevent back injuries when playing golf.

Read the full article at magazine.essential.golf.

8 Best Exercises for Lower Back Pain

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:40:00 -0400

Nearly 40 percent of adults in the United States have back pain, which causes everything from discomfort to impairment in everyday activities.

“I see a mix of patients in spine and sports medicine, and back pain is probably the most common thing to walk through my door. It’s a very common musculoskeletal complaint,” said Andrew Paul Creighton, DO, physiatrist at HSS.

Experts recommend exercises for lower back pain that you can try at home.

Dr. Creighton recommends the curl up because it improves core stability while also being a low-load exercise for your spine. The curl up along with the side plank and the bird dog are known as the McGill Big 3 core exercises, from Stuart McGill, PhD, a kinesiologist and renowned back expert, Creighton says.

Read the full article at everydayhealth.com.

Golf Simulator Helps Injured Players Get Back on the Course

Thu, 30 May 2024 17:45:49 -0400

Essential Golf reports that in the past year, more than 6 million Americans played screen golf. Whether playing at home or at an indoor facility offering a virtual experience, the sport is surging in popularity.

Golf simulators are also finding their way into physical therapy practices. “The high-end models have optically enhanced radar tracking technology that provides an incredible amount of data in terms of golf swing, ball launch and ball flight,” said Jamie Osmak, CSCS, FRCms, TPI, USGTF, exercise physiologist at HSS.

For devoted players looking to get back in the game after an injury or surgery, the objective information provided by the simulator can be a valuable supplement to the doctor’s recommendations and rehab program developed by a physical therapist or exercise physiologist.

“Golfers with a musculoskeletal injury often progress well through physical therapy but feel they need something more to give them confidence in returning to the course,” said Andrew Paul Creighton, DO, physiatrist at HSS.

Patient education is critical when a golfer has an orthopedic condition or sustains an injury, according to James F. Wyss, MD, physiatrist at HSS “The goal is to teach golfers exercises to help them move better and get stronger. We discuss the kinds of exercises they do when they’re not playing to improve their physical condition and handle golfing better,” he explained.

A novel study at HSS Florida will utilize a new golf simulator to evaluate players with arthritis both before and after joint replacement surgery. “Our system employs advanced technology and complex algorithms to deliver a realistic and immersive virtual golf experience,” explains Ryan W. Simovitch, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS and principal investigator.

Read the full article at essential.golf.

How to Avoid Golfing Injuries and Stay on Course with These Tips

Tue, 03 May 2022 18:20:00 -0400

Muscle & Fitness discusses golf injury prevention and recovery with guidance from experts including Andrew Paul Creighton, DO, physiatrist at HSS.

Dr. Creighton explained, “The low back, lumbar spine is the first area of injury. In the young, especially in the skeletally immature golfer, the concern is an injury to the bone, particularly the pars bone.”

“As the golfer grows older, a common injury is to the discs of the lumbar spine. Often times, the golfer will hurt with bending, lifting or twisting especially if weight is added,” he continued.

Dr. Creighton said, “As the golfer continues to age, they can develop arthritis of the facet joints of the lumbar spine which again typically hurt with twisting and with the extension of the painful area. Most of the time, injury to the low back occurs as a result of mobility issues in the thoracic spine (at the back of the chest), mid back or mobility issues in the hip. Issues with mobility in the thoracic spine and hip result in more torque and shear force taking place in the lumbar spine, causing injury to the bones, discs and joints.”

“The most common injuries that occur at the elbow are medial and lateral elbow tendinopathies, also known as medial and lateral epicondylitis,” Dr. Creighton explained. “The tendon undergoes change and sometimes has partial tearing as a result of overuse and poor technique. The golfer typically hurts at the prominent bone on the inside or the outside of the elbow and just down the arm from those areas. When looking at the wrist, injuries frequently occur on the inside or outside of the wrist, ulnar and radial side respectively.”

Dr. Creighton advised, “As with any activity, there is likely a point when the golfer is playing too much. However, that point of excessive golf is likely different for each individual. The golfer has likely reached that point once the pain and injury occur. So, it is recommended that the golfer should address this pain and injury and consider taking some time off to allow for recovery. It is important to investigate if there is anything modifiable with their golf swing or golf routine before playing again.”

Read the full article at Muscleandfitness.com.

6 Health Benefits That Prove Golf Is Great Exercise for Your Body and Mind

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 17:26:00 -0400

Well + Good discusses the health benefits of golfing for exercise according to experts including Andrew Paul Creighton, DO, physiatrist at HSS.

Dr. Creighton said, “When golfing, you’re fully in tune with your body and how everything works together. A common misconception about golf is that it does not provide physical health benefits.”

He cited a 2016 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, noting “A scoping review found that golf provides moderate intensity physical activity, which is recommended to people of all ages for physical and mental health benefits.”

Dr. Creighton also advised golfers to be aware of potential injury when playing. “The most frequent cause of injury in amateur and professional golfers is volume of repetitive practice, and in amateur golfers this can sometimes be coupled with poor swing biomechanics.”

Read the full article at Wellandgood.com.

Your COVID Aching Back

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 18:26:00 -0400

HSS physiatrist Andrew Paul Creighton, DO shares exercises for relief from neck pain, back pain, and shoulder aches tied to working from home.

“Most people are sitting for longer periods now more than ever before. That increases the load on their spine and reduces overall balance throughout the body. Standing up and walking around about every 30 minutes can help to unload the spine and alleviate some of the aches and pains tied to working from home,” explained Dr. Creighton.

Dr. Creighton also suggested exercises including the dead bug, elbow to back pockets, and chin tucks.

The dead bug addresses back pain by having you lie on your back and reach up to the ceiling while bringing your feet, knees and hips up towards the chest one leg at a time.

Elbow to back pockets aim to alleviate shoulder and neck pain. Stand up, reach up and bring your elbows down towards the back pockets of your jeans while squeezing the shoulder blades together. Repeat 5 times.

Chin tucks will help with a stiffened neck. Stand feet wide apart and your head straight so that your ears are right over your shoulders. Now stick one finger under your chin and push up and back, holding the position for 5 seconds until you feel the stretch.

Read the full article at Ourtownny.com.

Additional coverage:

Chelseanewsny.com
Westsidespirit.com; also appeared in print on April 14, 2021.
OTdowntown.com

Mouthguards may reduce concussion risk in youth ice hockey players

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 13:21:00 -0500

Reuters Health reports on the findings of a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine which found youth ice hockey players who wear mouthguards to protect their teeth and jaws may also have significantly lower odds of concussion.

Reuters Health spoke to Andrew Paul Creighton, DO, physiatrist at HSS, who wasn’t involved in the study, about the findings. “I do feel mouthguard use can help lower the risk of concussion, specifically when the jaw hits something or something hits the jaw. However, I am not aware of anything that has definitively proven this in the literature,” cited Dr. Creighton. “The current study is interesting from a cost standpoint too. Custom mouthguards, which are significantly more expensive, were not shown to be associated with a lower concussion rate compared to off-the-shelf mouthguards,” said Dr. Creighton. Furthermore, he added, “The study also did not assess the quality and fit of the mouthguard, however, and whether the athlete wore it correctly while playing.”

Read the article at Reuters.com.