How golf pro Mike Weir manages his arthritis

Source: Best Health magazine, January/February 2015

Arthritis affects more than how you move. Just ask eight-time PGA Tour winner Mike Weir, whose career was sidelined after a 2011 golfing accident led to an elbow injury that later developed into arthritis.

"I couldn’t practise; I was in pain and, if not in pain, I was always sore. I got into a funk and it affected my game."

But thanks to key lifestyle changes that include medication, diet modification and exercise, Weir has a new lease on life ‘ and his game.

In Toronto recently on behalf of The Arthritis Society and Aleve, for which he is a spokesperson, Weir talked about the importance of keeping active.

"I found that committing to an exercise routine has helped me decrease my arthritis pain while increasing my overall fitness and flexibility, which ultimately improved my state of mind."

In addition to medication and exercise, which includes cardio and yoga, Weir has tweaked his diet, cutting dairy, gluten and sugar from his diet to reduce inflammation.

"Dealing with injury has given me perspective. I have a lot to be thankful for, I’m not competing at the level I want to yet, but I’m still playing the game I love and I appreciate that a lot more now."