Does anyone deal with Back pain? How?

[WhatRobEats]

If by your 'doctor', you mean a general physician, I strongly suggest you get actual professional medical advice. GP's, in my experience, know a little bit about several things, nothing about a lot of things, and a lot about nothing.

GP's are generally only good for telling you that yes, something is indeed wrong. Jesus, I know Doc, that is why I came here.

Seriously, find someone who specializes in skeletal/muscular problems and talk to them.

dld

Yea it was a GP. He did order some xrays and said "It doesn't appear to be bone related." and that is why he advised to just exercise and get into shape. I didn't follow his advice on that so far. If I am able to get my body into shape and still have issues I'll certainly hit him up for a referral.

 

[Cornerman]

I suffer from chronic back pain.
...

Heck, sometimes during a set I will lay on the pool room floor and stretch my back out.

Am there. Do that. If I last to the end of a tournament, my back is normally killing me. You can find me in a corner doing stretches.

Freddie <~~~ doesn't wish back pain on anyone

 

[Chopdoc]

Find a physical therapist or a sports medicine professional. Learn how to work out correctly (some trainers are great for this, some are horrible, but there is no way of knowing if you don't already know). Get to the gym and strengthen yourself.

dld

I would highly recommend seeing a doctor first. He ended up on the floor.


I deal with chronic back pain from motorcycle accidents screwing up a disk. A proper exercise program helped me.


.

 

[12squared]

I suffer occasionally from lower back pain and knee pain. I agree with many posts saying stretching is the best exercise and to stop once the pain flairs up and let it settle. But if I am playing in a tournament and do not want to stop playing if the pain flairs up, I have begun carrying this: http://www.painwizard.com/ and it seems to help.

I found this at a farmer's market in Fort Collins just when I was experience back pain but walking around w/my wife. I tried the lotion out and in a few minutes I felt better so I bought both the lotion and the roll on. I carry the roll on in my case pocket just in case it's needed - it's self contained and sealed so no leakage and I don't have to get any lotion on my hands when playing. I have only had to use it once since I got it, but it helped get me through the tournament much easier.

Dave

 

[Chopdoc]

If by your 'doctor', you mean a general physician, I strongly suggest you get actual professional medical advice. GP's, in my experience, know a little bit about several things, nothing about a lot of things, and a lot about nothing.

GP's are generally only good for telling you that yes, something is indeed wrong. Jesus, I know Doc, that is why I came here.

Seriously, find someone who specializes in skeletal/muscular problems and talk to them.

dld

There are no GPs in the US anymore (except a handful of really old docs)

If your doctor is not satisfactory, find another one.

.

 

[Spimp13]

I can relate...mine is from an injury though. Too bad there is no cure or even remedy to help for a myofascial tear outside of a pain med :frown:

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

back surgery 2001 L4- L5

If you have insurance the go see a doctor,
push for a MRI Thats the only way to know.

Jennette Lee
Her back is all screwed up the doctors want to put 2 17 inch ss rods or screws in her back . she would no longer be able to bend over, No offence intended.
MMike

 

[Cdryden]

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

If you have had an injury, different story, but same necessary remedy.

Find a physical therapist or a sports medicine professional. Learn how to work out correctly (some trainers are great for this, some are horrible, but there is no way of knowing if you don't already know). Get to the gym and strengthen yourself.

dld

Not necessarily. There are a ton of reasons why one might have back pain other than injury or being over weight. There are some conditions that you are born with that could be a factor. I have an issue where my s1 vertebra didn't completely form which causes the vertebra to be somewhat weak and causes me a lot of pain.

I am actually in pretty good shape for a 40 year old. 6'2" and around 220 lbs (and its not fat......well some of it is!)

And that's just one example of probably hundreds.

To the OP. I try to build up the muscles in my back to add support and reduce some of the pressure on my lower back. I also do some stretches that help. Flexibility is important.

Here is one that helps me:

Lay down on your stomach and set yourself up like you are going to do a push up. Keep your lower half on the ground (from your hips to your feet) and push up the rest. I do several of these in the morning and at night. It really helps me avoid my back muscles tightening up.

I also, on occasion have to take some pain medication as needed. Anything from Alieve to high strength Vicodin. I am almost completely off the Vicodin now though.

Also if you are overweight it will really help you to shed some pounds. And last but not least, your overall posture. Make sure that throughout the day you are not slouching when standing or sitting. Bad posture can really take a toll on your back and neck.

 

[Spimp13]

If you have insurance the go see a doctor,
push for a MRI Thats the only way to know.

While seeing a doctor will be a good thing, pushing for a MRI is not necessarily the answer as it only shows part of the picture. There are many things that it could be that a MRI doesn't show.

 

[shayne87]

I wear a back support when I play long sessions, helps me.

 

[OnTheMF]

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!

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.

 

[Spimp13]

It is good advice...except for this part below...there may not be an answer for him (hopefully there is though).

"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."

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

back pain

While seeing a doctor will be a good thing, pushing for a MRI is not necessarily the answer as it only shows part of the picture. There are many things that it could be that a MRI doesn't show.

All I know is it took a MRI to show the doctors what was wrong.
It wasnt a pleasent surgery. maybe the worst pain I have ever been in.
But Im still alive and *****ing:thumbup:

just less body parts now..
But my back still bothers me>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MMike

 

[Spimp13]

All I know is it took a MRI to show the doctors what was wrong.
It wasnt a pleasent surgery. maybe the worst pain I have ever been in.
But Im still alive and *****ing:thumbup:

just less body parts now..
But my back still bothers me>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MMike

I was just explaining that while that may have been an answer for you, it may not be for the OP. Trust me I know and had 2 MRIs which came back negative....however seeing a specialist is definitely a step in the right direction.

 

[iusedtoberich]

I raised my table 6" !

I also have a motorized massage table right next to my pool table

 

[Secaucus Fats]

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.

 

[ENGLISH!]

I did not read the thread so please excuse me if anything I say is a repeat.

I have had a tight back since catching all my weight in a one legged squat more then 35 years ago while playing baseball. Hot baths & stretching.

3 years ago I ruptured the L5 S1 disc in the same area resulting in severe but thank God breif nerve pain. No surgery. Rest, rest & more rest. Tweak it, out 2 weeks. Rest, rest & more rest. Gradually the recovery time from tweaks got shorter & shorter til now it would be 1 maybe 2 days.

Vibrating message, hot wirlpoool baths, & stretching keep it 'okay'. No drugs. Drugs only mask the issue. A good stretch that I have found is to kneel down & then sit back & spread the knees while bending forward.

If you have not injured your back & it is from playing pool you had better find a more comfortable stance that does not put strain on your back before you do damage it.

I hope you find a solution.

Best Wishes to You &

 

[mantis99]

It is good advice...except for this part below...there may not be an answer for him (hopefully there is though).

"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."

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.

 

[mantis99]

All I know is it took a MRI to show the doctors what was wrong.
It wasnt a pleasent surgery. maybe the worst pain I have ever been in.
But Im still alive and *****ing:thumbup:

just less body parts now..
But my back still bothers me>>>>>>>>>>>>m>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MMike

As I said above, 80% of back pain is healed conservatively. Of those cases, I can tell the cause of the person's pain through physical examination without the use of an MRI in the majority of cases. If someone's symptoms are severe enough, or if they suspect certain injuries, the treating doctor will order an MRI as they see fit. Also, if the person fails conservative treatment (which the strong majority will not), the doctor may opt for an MRI to see if the person needs more aggressive treatment. MRI's are a great tool, but often unnecessary. A good doctor will order one if needed. At the same time, I wouldn't let an injury go too long without improving without asking for one.

 

[LuckyStroke]

Back pain

I'm 32 and have been dealing with back pain since I was about 19. First things first, go to a doctor and find out why you have back pain. Don't just go to a chiropractor expecting a quick fix. If it's a nerve or disc issues a chiropractor could make it worse. Last year I went to an osteopath and while the adjustments didn't change anything, the recomended lifestyle changes did. I was given a lift to put in my shoe and some stretches. I also do some yoga and it helps tremendously. Also, I started wearing shoes with defined heels(dansko's, Dr Martens etc. My favorite are a pair of Justin cowboy boots.) My back hasn't bothered me since I started all this. Diagnose the problem and find the right fix for your specific issue.

Stretch Stretch Stretch