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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staff
Because the yips may be related to overuse of specific muscles, a change of technique or equipment may help. Possible strategies include:
- Change your grip. This technique works for many golfers, because it changes the muscles you use to make your putting stroke. However, if you have the type of yips related to performance anxiety, changing your grip likely won't make much difference.
- Use a different putter. A longer putter allows you to use more of your arms and shoulders and less of your hands and wrists while putting. Other putters are designed with a special grip to help stabilize the hands and wrists.
- Mental skills training. Techniques such as relaxation, visualization or positive thinking can help reduce anxiety, increase concentration and ease fear of the yips.
References
- Adler CH. Sports-related task-specific dystonia: The yips. In: Stacy MA. Handbook of Dystonia. New York, N.Y.: Informa Healthcare; 2007:209.
- Kartha N. Dystonia. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2006;22:899.
- Olanow CW. Hyperkinetic movement disorders. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2906012. Accessed March 31, 2011.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 31, 2011.
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