Does anyone deal with Back pain? How?

WhatRobEats

WhatRobEats

Not as good as he thinks
Silver Member
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 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've never had back pain, but I used to get pains in my right knee from locking it when playing. Rather than change my stance or weight balance I powered through like you.

I would suggest trying to strengthen your back. You don't have to go for a deadlift world record or anything, but exercising the back area will help you out. Just be careful not to go crazy and risk damaging your back permanently.

You could also try stretching out your back daily, even if you're not going to play. Helped me out with my knee.

That's the problem with 9ft tables though. They're too damn low!
 
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.
 
WhatRobEats said:
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.
Click to expand...

Step One: STOP doing what caused the problem and REST YOUR BACK.

Step Two: Give the rest time to work.

Step Three: Work on a stance that doesn't do this to your back. Then re-work all the other aspects of your shot, re your new stance.

Step Four: Thank God you're getting old rather than stopping for good.

Jeff Livingston
 
WhatRobEats said:
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?
Click to expand...

Rob,

Elsewhere on AZ today is a thread about Jeanete Lee. She is an inspiration to all players. Find the thread and watch the attached video. Another female player I used to see around quite a bit is Maureen Sato(?) from Canada. She was in a horrific auto accident many years ago and has played through significant back pain. Those are only two examples. It can be done if you want it bad enough! JMHO.

Lyn
 
I usually reach for the advil or similar type relief. I also try to stretch before and while playing every so often. Strangely unless it's really bad once I get in the zone of playing my brain tends to block it out for the most part.
 
I have been dealing with back pain all my adult life since around 20 or so. I was involved in several bad car wrecks, one of them I went through the back window at over 90 mph, I was ejected. I had good days and bad days that is for sure. I used to go to the chiropractor every week and sometimes twice a week for 2 years straight, get an adjustment and a massage. It helped in some ways but really what helped me out was being active. I try and workout, stretch and just keep my back from tightening up.

If I oversleep or sit around for too long then my back tightens up on me and it can be very painful which causes fatigue for me. There is that commercial on TV that states a body in motion stays in motion, it is really true. Just dig deep and start off with stretching if you are in a bad way, workout, swim, hot tub, make sure to sleep right and not in a jacked up position. I still cannot run for too long as my lower back tightens and hurts but I do try and ride my mountain bike here and there or the exercise bike in the gym, swimming is really good I have noticed. 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.
 
Oh and I forgot to say do not take pills, once in awhile I have but its really rare. I try to just stay active, if you sit around then the pain will consume you and only get worse as your muscles will just tighten up and keep getting worse to where you are just immobile and fatigued from the pain.
 
vapoolplayer said:
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
Click to expand...

This is solid advice and something that I can implement right away. Thanks!

DoubleD said:
If you are 33 and having back pains from playing pool and haven't been injured, you need to seriously examine your life.
Click to expand...

My back pain didn't start from playing pool it originated from the many years I did landscaping in my early 20's I practiced some really bad lifting techniques and now that I'm a bit older I think I'm paying for it. You are right to a degree though I have neglected my body. I'm only around 20 lbs overweight for my height. However, I work an office job now and I'm sitting down during the day now so there are no more excuses left for me. I need to get serious and start working out, running, biking, ect..

Seems like the common theme so far in this thread is for me to get off my lazy ass and start strengthening myself. I've lacked motivation for too long. Now if I can tie playing better pool to getting in better shape that is the type of motivation I need.

chefjeff said:
Step Four: Thank God you're getting old rather than stopping for good.
Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...
I'm certainly thankful to be on the top side of the grass and able bodied enough to continue playing and enjoying life.



Thanks everyone for the discussion so far. I look forward to reading and replying to more.
 
This. I've had back pain since I was 17. I've dealt with it many ways but this advice is the best imo. All three steps too; don't skip any of them. Good luck!

vapoolplayer said:
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
Click to expand...
 
The solution that works for you is going to depend on what your actual back problem is... however...

I've been a long-time sufferer of back pain; primarily from sitting in front of computers all day with bad posture.

I tried drugs; they successfully stop the pain but don't actually fix the problem. Now I only take advil if it's really bad... like, can't get off the floor bad.

I tried physical therapy and working out. That worked for a while but it was never a long term solution.

After much cajoling from some coworkers I tried a thing called the Alexander Technique. My simple explanation is that it teaches you how to properly use your body. And it has been the one thing that has worked consistently.

Regardless of what you do to fix it, once you're in pain, you MUST stop and let yourself get better. Continuing through the pain is only going to screw yourself up more. Seriously. Just stop.

My back problems started in earnest in my early 30s and now, in my late 30s they're under control but I think I hurt myself more by trying to ignore it and fight through it.
 
I suffer from chronic back pain. I find that STRETCHING thoroughly before and after helps like nothing else. Heck, sometimes during a set I will lay on the pool room floor and stretch my back out. Yoga will also do wonders for your back if you can find the time to do it.

Taking care of yourself is the hardest part of life. With pool there aren't alot of physical demands, but it can still strain you. I would take a serious look at what specifically causing the problem, then try to address it.


Good luck,

Justin
 
krupa said:
The solution that works for you is going to depend on what your actual back problem is... however...

I've been a long-time sufferer of back pain; primarily from sitting in front of computers all day with bad posture.

I tried drugs; they successfully stop the pain but don't actually fix the problem. Now I only take advil if it's really bad... like, can't get off the floor bad.

I tried physical therapy and working out. That worked for a while but it was never a long term solution.

After much cajoling from some coworkers I tried a thing called the Alexander Technique. My simple explanation is that it teaches you how to properly use your body. And it has been the one thing that has worked consistently.

Regardless of what you do to fix it, once you're in pain, you MUST stop and let yourself get better. Continuing through the pain is only going to screw yourself up more. Seriously. Just stop.

My back problems started in earnest in my early 30s and now, in my late 30s they're under control but I think I hurt myself more by trying to ignore it and fight through it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. This Alexander Technique has piqued my interest I'll look into it. I think the majority of my problem came from my landscaping days and is now perpetuated by much like you sitting in front of a computer all day with bad posture.

I think strengthening is and will be my best option. I don't have time for things like Yoga when I'm trying to fill every spare moment I have with improving my pool game. I should go ahead and pull the trigger on that YMCA membership they have been calling me about since my first tour of the place a year ago. Like I said if I can tie getting into better shape directly to improving my pool game that will be the motivation I need.
 
WhatRobEats said:
Thanks for the reply. This Alexander Technique has piqued my interest I'll look into it. I think the majority of my problem came from my landscaping days and is now perpetuated by much like you sitting in front of a computer all day with bad posture.

I think strengthening is and will be my best option. I don't have time for things like Yoga when I'm trying to fill every spare moment I have with improving my pool game. I should go ahead and pull the trigger on that YMCA membership they have been calling me about since my first tour of the place a year ago. Like I said if I can tie getting into better shape directly to improving my pool game that will be the motivation I need.
Click to expand...

You should take a holistic approach to this...
sound mind + sound body = sound pool game
 
It is great that people are willing to help with advice that has worked for them regarding back pain. However, a pool forum simply is not the place to get advice on any kind of serious back pain. Advice on adjusting your stance to allow for decreased stress is great and should be applied, but it probably should stop there. I do this for a living, and can tell you that back pain can have many different causes that may each be treated differently, and that what works for one person's injury, may actually harm another person. While a regular low impact aerobic program with correctly performed core strengthening should be a part of just about any program to improve low back pain, you really should let a trained professional physically examine you, order any imaging necessary, and come up with a correct plan for your body and your injury.

You are way too young to be relying on meds at this point in life. The pain is not a nuisance, it is a signal from your body that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. The vast majority of the time, that can be done conservatively, but you need to get checked out by someone who knows what they are doing.

Good Luck!
 
jhanso18 said:
I suffer from chronic back pain. I find that STRETCHING thoroughly before and after helps like nothing else. Heck, sometimes during a set I will lay on the pool room floor and stretch my back out. Yoga will also do wonders for your back if you can find the time to do it.

Taking care of yourself is the hardest part of life. With pool there aren't alot of physical demands, but it can still strain you. I would take a serious look at what specifically causing the problem, then try to address it.


Good luck,

Justin
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100%...I too must lay on the floor an stretch every
now an again..Its the first thing I must do when I get up..other wise
my hips will start locking up..took a couple nasty falls in my late 30's.
I'll be 55 in a few weeks ; an some days I feel like 90..once
in awhile a pain pill is nice..but it really doesn't do anything.
I play pool for 14 hours streight at least once a week..the next couple
of days..oh boy..but I'll not stop playing..I just pay attention to myself.
you have a good week.
 
Something I was interested to read... although physical labor (especially improper lifting) can screw up your back, generally speaking normal labor is not any worse for your back than a 'desk job'.

In fact office jobs might be worse. Even just sitting in a chair, your back is supporting your weight (especially if you're slumping forward while typing).

I think your instinct is right... work out the back muscles (carefully, don't overdo it) and especially stretch. Might make sense also to talk to a doctor to make sure there isn't some specific problem that's lingering from before and never healed right.
 
CreeDo said:
Something I was interested to read... although physical labor (especially improper lifting) can screw up your back, generally speaking normal labor is not any worse for your back than a 'desk job'.

In fact office jobs might be worse. Even just sitting in a chair, your back is supporting your weight (especially if you're slumping forward while typing).

I think your instinct is right... work out the back muscles (carefully, don't overdo it) and especially stretch. Might make sense also to talk to a doctor to make sure there isn't some specific problem that's lingering from before and never healed right.
Click to expand...

I have talked to my doctor in the past about my lingering back pain. His advice was the same sort I'm getting in this thread. Make sure to stretch, try some 'core strengthening' exercises and practice good posture while working.

For a while now I've been thinking about getting one of those chairs that are actually balls without backs to sit in while working. Those are said to improve core strength and force you to improve your posture. Added bonus I don't have to worry about someone in the office looking funny at me for using one since I work from home in my home office/library.
 
Try this...

WhatRobEats said:
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?
Click to expand...

Sleep on a good mattress.

Practice good sleeping habits.

Don't use alcohol.

Don't smoke tobacco.

Don't use synthetic drugs.

Use cannabis in moderation if it helps.

Don't eat the typical American diet.

Walk.

Do yoga and/or tai chai in the morning, before a match, after a long session, before bed.

Have an instructor look at your stance and style.

Wear shoes with good support and cushion, and walk/jog barefoot in the sand if possible.

Caution: If your problems are due to injury, seek a professional (chiropractor or sports therapist) for advice (though some "professionals" may not like my list!)
 
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