An idea to save my back

Luxury

Luxury

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I really want to play pool all my life and am hoping to keep good back health. I started standing up higher like Minnesota Fats to try to save my back. I figured I could at least do that on all the close easy shots but then I started trying it on longer harder shots and was surprised how well it worked. I've only practiced this way for an hour now so I wanted feedback before committing to relearning my "shot pictures" that I've memorised down low on the stick. Your thoughts?

Also i have a $5000 massage chair and a state of the art bed for my back but I'm also looking at hot tubs now. Does a hot tub make a big difference if I'm already getting shiatsu massage from the chair?

Thanks for any responses.
 
Luxury said:
I really want to play pool all my life and am hoping to keep good back health. I started standing up higher like Minnesota Fats to try to save my back. I figured I could at least do that on all the close easy shots but then I started trying it on longer harder shots and was surprised how well it worked. I've only practiced this way for an hour now so I wanted feedback before committing to relearning my "shot pictures" that I've memorised down low on the stick. Your thoughts?

Also i have a $5000 massage chair and a state of the art bed for my back but I'm also looking at hot tubs now. Does a hot tub make a big difference if I'm already getting shiatsu massage from the chair?

Thanks for any responses.
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It sounds like you are doing things that I wish i'd done when I was younger. I love to play pool, but due to back issues I don't get to play as much as i'd like to.

James
 
Luxury...Nothing wrong with standing up higher. Just make sure your cuestick remains level with the table (as level as reasonable for the shot). It's a myth that you have to get down low over the cuestick. It's more about perception and personal preference. Lots of players do what we call the 'midpoint head bob'...where the player stands up higher, to reconfirm or percieve the shot better, then drops back down to go into their shooting routine. Some players just like standing higher of all shots.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
I don't know the specifics of your problems but I can tell you that I bought an Inversion Table from Teeter Hang Ups and it has saved me. It takes a little time to adjust too but once you do it is actually relaxing and has kept me off the table going on 5 years.
 
I have a simple and cheap "Swiss Ball," some people call them "Therapy Ball." They're inflated and can support your weight; they're about two feet in diameter. There are loads of videos on youtube with exercises.

It works like MAGIC for me anytime I have a sore back. In general, it has been proved that exercise is the BEST preventative for back pain and the BEST treatment for back pain. Weightlifting, yoga, pilates, all have excellent exercises for your back--but I've found the swiss ball the easiest and quickest way to get the effect I want.

Edit: The specific exercise I do, btw, is to sit on the ball and then rotate, and work back and forth, my hips. I do it with ACTIVE muscle movements, not just by rolling around the joints with no muscle input. I work both my abs and back that way--trying to separately and consciously work each muscle groups (even the sides of my back and sides of abs). Using slow, strong muscle contractions, you can actually build up a sweat you work so hard--just by sitting and rolling your butt around--again, because you're trying to actively contract the muscles to make the movements.
 
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GetMeThere said:
I have a simple and cheap "Swiss Ball," some people call them "Therapy Ball." They're inflated and can support your weight; they're about two feet in diameter. There are loads of videos on youtube with exercises.

It works like MAGIC for me anytime I have a sore back. In general, it has been proved that exercise is the BEST preventative for back pain and the BEST treatment for back pain. Weightlifting, yoga, pilates, all have excellent exercises for your back--but I've found the swiss ball the easiest and quickest way to get the effect I want.

Edit: The specific exercise I do, btw, is to sit on the ball and then rotate, and work back and forth, my hips. I do it with ACTIVE muscle movements, not just by rolling around the joints with no muscle input. I work both my abs and back that way--trying to separately and consciously work each muscle groups (even the sides of my back and sides of abs). Using slow, strong muscle contractions, you can actually build up a sweat you work so hard--just by sitting and rolling your butt around--again, because you're trying to actively contract the muscles to make the movements.
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That depends on what is wrong with your back. I have severely deteriorated discs in my lower back. My physical therapist scolded me for playing pool. I'm not supposed to do any activities that involves forward bending as it causes nerves to pinch and I have pain like an electrical shock running down my right leg. What works for one person is not necessarily right for another.
 
DoubleD said:
Exercising your back and staying at a good BMI will do more for you than any $5000 gimmick chair, hot tub or pool stance.

dld
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This is encouraging and inspiring. Though I need to know what BMI is and what back excercizes you recommend.
 
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cuesmith said:
That depends on what is wrong with your back. I have severely deteriorated discs in my lower back. My physical therapist scolded me for playing pool. I'm not supposed to do any activities that involves forward bending as it causes nerves to pinch and I have pain like an electrical shock running down my right leg. What works for one person is not necessarily right for another.
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That's right. All bets are off when talking about actual degenerative disease. But for backs with all the main components still in working order, proper and healthy back exercises are the VERY BEST THINGS you can do to keep your back healthy.
 
Walking around barefoot at every opportunity you get will help more than anything else.no socks ,shoes or slippers around the house.no flip flops,naked feet only.unprotected feet will heal a back quicker than anything.
your spine will thank you.

bill
 
My back problems are actually degenerative discs, the worst is between L4 & L5. The Inversion Table stretches the lower back extremely well which allows some fluids to reenter the disc. I am an absolute beleiver in this therapy since it has truly worked for me. Be very careful with active back exercises instead of streching exercises, you may do more harm than good.
 
Luxury said:
I really want to play pool all my life and am hoping to keep good back health. I started standing up higher like Minnesota Fats to try to save my back. I figured I could at least do that on all the close easy shots but then I started trying it on longer harder shots and was surprised how well it worked. I've only practiced this way for an hour now so I wanted feedback before committing to relearning my "shot pictures" that I've memorised down low on the stick. Your thoughts?

Also i have a $5000 massage chair and a state of the art bed for my back but I'm also looking at hot tubs now. Does a hot tub make a big difference if I'm already getting shiatsu massage from the chair?

Thanks for any responses.
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I've never had back problems from pool and I get down pretty low on my shots. To be accurate, I believe the sniper position is the best. I think the key is to keep most of the weight on the feet and to bend at the knees and hips.

I stand with a more open stance and get down by bending at the knees first - kind of like if you were sitting on the edge of a bar stool - then at the hips. This spreads the weight between your feet and is easy on the back. There is very little weight on my back and my spine is more or less straight. This is a balanced, athletic position.

I think the straight legged stance is hard on the back. Also, I think a forward head position view is the least accurate.

Standing up straight may be fine for easy shots, but I just can't see the long shots or thin cuts unless I get down and well back on the cue.

Chris
 
allenjktx said:
My back problems are actually degenerative discs, the worst is between L4 & L5. The Inversion Table stretches the lower back extremely well which allows some fluids to reenter the disc. I am an absolute beleiver in this therapy since it has truly worked for me. Be very careful with active back exercises instead of streching exercises, you may do more harm than good.
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Sure, discs can expand a bit by inversion. But then, five minutes after you're standing they'd be back to where they were.

I am NOT recommending that anyone exacerbate injured or degenerated discs.*

But it remains true that numerous research efforts have shown that back problems that DO NOT involve degenerative disease are mostly CAUSED by muscle weakness/bad posture, and therefore those problems can be well ADDRESSED by proper exercise.



* People should realize that disc problems can produce a MEDICAL EMERGENCY if nerves become strongly compressed and stay that way. Anyone with serious back problems who suddenly notices incontinence, weakness and genital numbness should immediately consult a doctor, or strongly consider visiting an emergency room.
 
GetMeThere said:
Sure, discs can expand a bit by inversion. But then, five minutes after you're standing they'd be back to where they were.

I am NOT recommending that anyone exacerbate injured or degenerated discs.*

But it remains true that numerous research efforts have shown that back problems that DO NOT involve degenerative disease are mostly CAUSED by muscle weakness/bad posture, and therefore those problems can be well ADDRESSED by proper exercise.



* People should realize that disc problems can produce a MEDICAL EMERGENCY if nerves become strongly compressed and stay that way.
Anyone with serious back problems who suddenly notices incontinence, weakness and genital numbness should immediately consult a doctor, or strongly consider visiting an emergency room.
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Not arguing about exercise to an otherwise healthy back, that is absolutely the best medicine. I am only relaying personal experiences with my problems and solutions. Unless I've missed something we still do not know the cause or reason for his discomfort. Sorry if it seemed as though I was being combative, absolutely not my intention.
 
I have had a bad back since 1985 and I have had 2 surgeries. They replaced a disk L 4 & L 5 put 2 plates and 6 screws in my back. I have been through it all. I saw a chiropractor from 85 to 97 and had to have my first surge. They trimmed the disk off the nerve but the Dr did not get the sack sealed and over the next few years all the fluid leaked out. I do have an inversion machine but I was told by my therapist not to use it because of the screws. The hot tub does help me but the best thing I have found so far is pool therapy. I also have a tinge unit that I use when it gets real bad. I am 5'8 at 165 lbs. I am not able to play very long anymore. Not trying to scare you or anything but you must try to stay active and in shape or it will get real bad. I have a lot of scar tissue that was built up after my first surge because the Dr to me to lay flat on my back for 6 weeks. The next Dr that did my 2nd surge told me it was the worse thing I could have done. Try to go to some pool therapy and the inversion machine. I wish you the best
 
Oh my God Ive heard it all...

My poor back boo hoo hoo.. What a load off HorseSh*t.... All this guy does is sit around (at work, selling USED beds) playing pool on his Ipad, or plucking the strings on his Geeetar. If he had it any easier he wouldnt even get out of bed in the morning hed just wait till the pool room opened...

Take care of your back Ill tell you how, 1 lay off the fatties...:eek: and 2 bring your butt to work with me a few times a week. that will do 2 things I wont have to work so hard and can play more pool :grin: and 2 youll never feel your back again so you wont need to worry...:grin:

P.S. dont think I missed that thing about "a nine footer for my new house" That cost ya the 8 and this snivelling about your back cost ya the 7.. you best think hard about your reply that just might be the 6...LOL
 
Mowem down said:
My poor back boo hoo hoo.. What a load off HorseSh*t.... All this guy does is sit around (at work, selling USED beds) playing pool on his Ipad, or plucking the strings on his Geeetar. If he had it any easier he wouldnt even get out of bed in the morning hed just wait till the pool room opened...

Take care of your back Ill tell you how, 1 lay off the fatties...:eek: and 2 bring your butt to work with me a few times a week. that will do 2 things I wont have to work so hard and can play more pool :grin: and 2 youll never feel your back again so you wont need to worry...:grin:

P.S. dont think I missed that thing about "a nine footer for my new house" That cost ya the 8 and this snivelling about your back cost ya the 7.. you best think hard about your reply that just might be the 6...LOL
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Should anyone need an example of "tough love", look no further...

Chris

Ps. Well oK, maybe hardass love. Maybe forget the love part.
 
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