Jason Day turns to ‘balloon therapy’ as chronic back problem persists

Jason Day will be trying out a new remedy at this week’s Wells Fargo Championship as he continues to battle chronic back pain.
The Australian is the defending champion at Quail Hollow this week and reckons he is feeling pretty good, all thing considered.
Day has battled back problems throughout his 11-year career, with the most recent episode coming as recently as the Masters two weeks ago, when a simple lean to kiss his daughter Lucy moments before the start of the first round caused his back to seize up.
After receiving treatment from a trainer on the second tee, Day managed to play through the pain, and he ultimately recovered to play the whole tournament and finish a more-than respectable fifth.
But the reality is his health remains a constant concern, and after a decade of dealing with the problem, he’s not afraid to try new remedies.
“I was explaining the other day that I was blowing into balloons,” Day told reporters at Quail Hollow on Wednesday. “Which is crazy, because I haven’t really trained at all this year because I’ve been so sore.”
The balloon therapy, which takes about 20-30 minutes twice a day, is supposed to help get his rib cage, hips and shoulders aligned, thereby alleviating pressure on his back.
“Blowing into balloons, that’s as far as I go,” he said of the therapy. “Long story short, I try to keep my rib cage down. My rib cage gets up and then it blocks my mid back and then I can’t really turn. So I get it from somewhere else and that’s why my back flares up.
“I’ve got a guy that I pay and he does a really good job with my back.”
For Day, dealing with injury concerns have become a constant part of his life and his golfing career. Aside from his troublesome back, he’s also had to deal with thumb and shoulder injuries, while he also suffered a vertigo attack during the 2015 US Open.
The 31-year-old admits the cumulative effect of it all does take a mental toll.
“It’s hard. You have an injury, you feel like your world’s ending because this is all you know and this is all you do. You’re a professional golfer and this is kind of how you live your life. This is my life. Outside of my family, golf is it,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s difficult … to ever think, ‘Is that the final thing that’s going to push me over the line to actually hang up the clubs?’ Having a good wife, having a good support system around you, knowing that it’s not about right now. It’s trying to build to get back to peak performance. That’s what you’re trying to do.”
Latest
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.
-
News
Max Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder Cup
Bernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA Tour
Brooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.