Anyone else experience pain in hamstrings? I'm right handed so most of my weight goes on my left (front) leg when I shoot. I've been having some pain in my left hamstring and it seems to be getting worse. I am a very heavy guy and I have been playing quite a bit (2-3 hrs a day) since I got my new table a couple of weeks ago, but not even when I played tennis did I have this problem and I played several times a week.
I thougt it was just that my body had to get used to this new activity but I think that should have happened by now. Anyone have any experience with this?
Not from pool but from running. Runners get this a lot - it comes from overuse of a muscle especially running uphills and also running cold without warm up stretching. Sometimes it comes from being too agressive stretching when your muscle is cold.
You might have injured it doing something else but pool is aggravating it.
The muscle will heal on it's own completely in six weeks as long as you don't continue to aggravate it. The standard stretch for hamstrings is, in a standing position, put your hands on your knees, keep your legs straight, and slowly bend forward (gently). You should probably do this after any long sitting or resting period. You'll feel the hamstrings loosen up.
Here's are some suggestions for pool.
- Stand with your hips more open to the shot, kind of like a snooker player but not that extreme, with both legs slightly flexed and weight centered between both feet.
- When you're down on the shot, you should be able to easily lift your bridge hand. There should be very little weight on your bridge hand. This stance gives you a lot of stability and clearance for your cue swing too.
- This position is not only easier on your hamstrings, but easier on your back. Your body is stable and will be supported evenly by both legs.
This is the stance I use by the way.
Chris
