Does anyone deal with Back pain? How?

[Maestro]

Take a look at the way some old timers used to stand and play much more vertically. Try it.

It helped me with my back as it changes your posture as you play. Let yourself rest and get dramatically more sleep. More sleep then you think you need - you need it to repair yourself.

Much of the advice I have read here is very good, but it is all related to what your problem comes from and what the damage is. Find a good back doctor to talk with and stay away from any surgery unless absolutely the last resort!

Good luck.

 

[jka]

You may have problem similar to mine. I have a couple of bulging disks that, when irritated, swell. This puts pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal column, mine being primarily the sciatic nerve. Collapsing while standing back up sure does sound like a nerve issue, not just back pain. Mine has been mitigated with a little more focused exercise and steroid epidural injections. My damage is not yet to the point of needing surgury. I would see a neurologist if I were you.

 

[Chopdoc]

Heh-heh, I haven't seen a doctor in nearly two decades--
dld

Then I wouldn't advance opinions pretending to be informed on the matter.

Any advice on how to find a decent doctor would be appreciated by many

Ask around. Word of mouth is the best IMHO. But I would have thought that was obvious.


.

 

[Adam Brown]

You may want to go see a chiropractor. I started having back problems and went to visit one and found out I have scoliosis (a curve in the back bone) and then found out that was caused probably by my stance due to me having bad feet. It could lead to problems later on down the line so nip it in the but before it turns into something larger than a pain in your back.

 

[Spimp13]

Not sure why you would suggest that part is not good advice. 80% of all Low back pain is healed conservatively, so taking the advice given here in many posts of using pain meds and NSAIDS to control it does not seem to be the way to go. If he exhausts all other options and pain management is his last option, then so be it. Also, I am not suggesting that antiinflammatories and pain meds shouldn't be a part of the recovery process, I am simply saying they should not be used to cover up te pain and avoid further action to fix the problem.

When there is no solution to the problem that may be the only one available...in moderation of course. Now in terms of low back pain, sure you may be right. I am referring to the part you just hit here in that post with pain management...it is a last resort of course so I totally agree with you there. It's just amazing to see everyone in the world say they can fix your problem when 100% of them are wrong in either the diagnosis or treatment or even both. Try spending about $2k for a 6 month chiro package by someone highly recommended to have it not work....that is only 1 bill of many!

 

[frankw]

Being a yoga teacher, I really agree with this one. Try the natural way first before using the drugs that just mask the pain.

All the Best,

Frank

Tai Chi or Yoga are both good ways to strengthen your back and increase your flexibility without excess stress or impact on your muscles. Losing even just 5 or 10 pounds would also help.

 

[ScottK]

Mantis99's advice is absolutely the only advice you should follow in this thread. Back pain is no joke, if you think it sucks playing now just wait until you make it worse and have to get a couple vertebrae fused.

Also I would be weary of using any NSAID (Advil, Aspirin, etc.) painkillers unless absolutely necessary. The results of fairly recent studies have shown that they impede the healing process leading to significantly longer recovery periods and higher relapse rates.

Long term use of NSAIDs is suspected to increase the risk of stroke as well.

 

[WhatRobEats]

After starting this thread I made some conscious changes today. While working I made sure to lock my chair in the upright position and forced myself to sit up straight with good posture. After work I stretched out on the floor and while standing to loosen up a bit, then I went and did my normal practice routine of about 2 hours.

After hour one I got on the floor again and stretched out. Now as I'm typing this I still have a little bit of an ache in my back but no real pain to speak of. Tomorrow I'm taking the night off from pool. This will be the first day in about a month where I won't be playing. If I need to take more than just tomorrow off I will.

I wont start practicing again until I do not feel any aches in my back. When I start back up I'll make sure to stretch just like I did tonight. If after all of that my back returns to a state of hurting or aching I'm going to seek out my doctors opinion or referral.

 

[ScottK]

I am going to be getting an inversion table, I have heard good things about decompressing so I will give it a shot and add it to what I do now.

I'm considering one too, and would be interested in your thoughts once you've tried it for a while.

 

[Fatboy]

I'll admit up until the last year or so I was never too serious about billiards. I grew up in pool rooms traveling around backing my cousin in money games. Two years ago I bought a house big enough for me to put a pool table in my basement.

I put the table in sometime last year and subsequently starting taking my own playing much more seriously. I tend to practice 2 or 3 hours a day. I'm 33 years old and already my back aches everyday. A few days ago I got down on a shot, made it and when I came back up to move on to the next shot my back seized up and I fell to the floor. Of course I picked myself up and kept going.

Do any of you guys do special exercise or stretching before you start playing to help avoid back pain? Do you take a couple of Aleve's and keep powering through like me? What is your method?

i'm the house pro around here for back pain:frown::frown:


5 operations, and i'm still not right, it dont matter what i weigh, what i do, operations, drugs, etc. it hurts like hell when it wants to and it as a result has affected my pool game, i been in action ahead $$$ only to catch a backache and end up pulling up even $$.

i have had back problems since i was a kid, no accident, degenerative disc disease and no curve in my lower spine to just to make things worse. first operation in 06, last one in 09(i think) been off the pills 4 years(except advil and other OTC stuff, once a day i take one pain pill for the DT's, i havent been "hi" on pills in years) never will again, i didnt have a choice for a while. just bad luck

play pool when you feel good and enjoy it when u can, if you find th magic bullet let me know, i got a million $ for anyone who can fix me-that's not a air barrel.


best
eric

 

[franko]

Agree

I nv experience back pain, but I used more of snooker stance, so I don't know if that will help.

I remember there's one snooker player had serious back problem which made him alter his stance.

However I do have serious shoulder pain in the past due to forward bridge placement. Now thesedays I adjusted my bridge placement and now it is much better.

But the damage is already done thou, I do get minor shoulder pain every now and then after my practice session.

I had back surgery years ago, so when I overdo anything I get back pain.I have found that a snooker stance does alleviate back pain for me.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I wound up getting a divorce. I'm telling you that woman was a real pain in the...what? He's talking about back pain? Not ass pain?
Advil, or Aleve should do it.
My bad. Carry on. :smile:

 

[mantis99]

When there is no solution to the problem that may be the only one available...in moderation of course. Now in terms of low back pain, sure you may be right. I am referring to the part you just hit here in that post with pain management...it is a last resort of course so I totally agree with you there. It's just amazing to see everyone in the world say they can fix your problem when 100% of them are wrong in either the diagnosis or treatment or even both. Try spending about $2k for a 6 month chiro package by someone highly recommended to have it not work....that is only 1 bill of many!

I get that and have seen cases where it unfortunately becomes the only option. I hope in time your pain does get resolved.

 

[rebelchris]

i would suggest trying to get disability and go to a doctor for a presciption of lortab or maybe oven oxycoten. this seems to be what alot of people are doing now a days.

seriously, try rubbing peanut oil on your back and have your girlfriend/wife use a blowdryer on the oil. instant hot oil rub.

 

[mantis99]

You may have problem similar to mine. I have a couple of bulging disks that, when irritated, swell. This puts pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal column, mine being primarily the sciatic nerve. Collapsing while standing back up sure does sound like a nerve issue, not just back pain. Mine has been mitigated with a little more focused exercise and steroid epidural injections. My damage is not yet to the point of needing surgury. I would see a neurologist if I were you.

While it is possible the those symptoms
Could be nerve related, strong back spasms cause by other things could also give that result.

A neurologist generally is well versed in diseases of the nervous system and brain issues such as cva. In my experience they are not generally the desired expert for back injuries. I would seek out a spine specializing physiatrist (rehab dr), or a good neurosurgeon as those 2 will be the best versed in diagnosing your problem and getting you on the correct course of treatment, which will of course have surgery as a last option.

 

[West Point 1987]

I've had a bad lumbar issue since I was 20 years old. Icy Hot extra strength roll-on one hour before you play, reapply right before bed...it rocks. Also, bend your knees when you stand up after each shot...lifting yourself up from the table with just your back is putting too much strain on the muscles of your lower back.

When it really flairs up, I get relief in the shower spaying hot water (as hot as you can stand without scalding yourself) on the area, then after a couple of minutes I spray icy cold water for a couple of minutes, then repeat. That makes the tissues swell and contract, and the nerves that are getting pinched/abrased/inflamed seem to pull back. You can use a heating pad and cold pack while watching TV, works good, too.

 

[Maestro]

Don't forget to stand more upright at the table and look down on the cue as you line it up for the shot. It does work very well and has been a standard for many in the old days. Should help with the back by not having to lean so much and save your neck too.

 

[onepocketron]

I sometimes suffer from back pains due to military related injuries.

Two things I'd recommend:

1: ibuprofen, aleve, etc before playing (nothing super strong or narcotic though)

2: Try spreading your feet further apart when you are down on a shot. Distributes your weight more into your legs than on your back. I've found this can make back pain go away almost entirely while you are down on your shots


Oh and 3: find a good chiropractor, works wonders for me

I too love a good chiropractor. I have had the same one for over 35 years. Amazing what they can do to make your back feel better. Also, a good deep tissue massage on the back works wonders as well. Gets all those muscles loosened up real good. Suffered from chronic back pain for many years and these two things are a life saver for me.

 

[Toncam]

I had to debate myself on whether to post this or not because to me its like talking to a wall every time, no one listens. Everyone wants a magic cure or a pill or something besides THEMSELVES to do the work, but im stubborn so here goes :
First off, im a crap dealer in a casino going on 31 years now and i have 3 bulging or herniated disks in my back.
I went through all the routes, phys therapy, MRI, pills, etc..
I will say this : Physical therapy for back pain didnt help me, they give you 12 excercies or so to work on and you have no idea whats helping you and whats not.
What has helped me and kept me working and not turning into a cripple is figuring out why my and other peoples backs hurt. The pain originates from your legs ! Whats supporting your back ?
The key for me and the few that have really listened to me when i was explaining this is a hamstring stretch. Not one of those sissy stretches, but one thats aggressive in loosening you leg up.

What i do is place my leg up on the bathrrom sink with a pillow under my foot and try to get my chin to touch my knee cap, THATS AGGRESSIVE.
Hold it there for about 10 seconds and do it again, then again , then again. Then do the other leg.

I forgot to mention, point your toes in towards your body and hold them there, also dont bring your neck down or you will strain it.
Now this will help you tremendously. After you do this, get down and do a "Cat Stretch". That will help anyone.
Theres a quad stretch for the front leg muscles thats also very good, if anyone wants it just post and i will put the youtube link up.

I had mentioned to my doctor a while ago that from going to being in screaming agony at times, im now practically pain free but when i try to get people to do the excercise i do, they wont do it. I looked at him and asked him if people just wanted the easy alternative all the time without putting the work in. He looked at me and smiled and said " Welcome to my world". Everyone wants the cure but wont do the work.

 

[chefjeff]

Don't forget to stand more upright at the table and look down on the cue as you line it up for the shot. It does work very well and has been a standard for many in the old days. Should help with the back by not having to lean so much and save your neck too.

That's a good point.

I've lately been trying to do more of my shot while I'm standing so I reduce my bendover time thus saving my back and making my shot easier and hopefully better, too.

Aging sucks but it does help take away any boredom that good, consistent pool might bring about.

Jeff Livingston