Playing with a bad back

[Lazerrus]

Ok guys I just turned forty on Saturday and have recently sustained a back injury through work earlier this year. It is making it difficult to play. It seems I am good only for about 1/2 hour to an hour before it is just killing me. I have painkillers for it but they through my game off. Am I just getting old and having to learn to deal with this or is their any advice from some players out there suffering from similar issues?:frown:

 

[vince in philly]

Not sure what type of injury you sustained, but if you have a disc problem you might get some relief by doing McKenzie extension exercises. You can search the web for the exercises or look for Robin McKenzie's books "Treat Your Own Back" and "Treat Your Own Neck". You might also try putting some heat on your back before you play to loosen your muscles and ice after you play to reduce inflammation.

If you want a medical opinion, make an appointment to see a physical medicine rehabilitation specialist. A lot of people get relief from long lasting steroid injections. Good luck, I know back pain sucks.

 

[poke&hope]

Pool and Back Trouble

I am afraid I can relate. I have back and neck problems which pretty much destroys my game. I still hit them around though because its in my blood.

I quit trying to compete cause I know what I was capable of and now its embarassing and just too darn painful in more ways than one. Does this ring a bell?

The pain dictates when you shoot not how long you need to stay down and focus.

As the pain gets worse so does your alignment on the shot. Pain meds help dull the senses including the brain. Once the pain gets too bad your brain kinda goes into neutral to cope.

I hope you are lucky and something can be done. One positive note is all my friends/opponents think their game has improved and have smiles on their faces when they play me now.

 

[genomachino]

My experience.

Ok guys I just turned forty on Saturday and have recently sustained a back injury through work earlier this year. It is making it difficult to play. It seems I am good only for about 1/2 hour to an hour before it is just killing me. I have painkillers for it but they through my game off. Am I just getting old and having to learn to deal with this or is their any advice from some players out there suffering from similar issues?:frown:

Hi there,

Sometime between the age of 16 to 21 I herniated a disc. I didn't know it was herniated. The chiros loved me and I kept alot of massage people busy for years.

I limped around the table about 3 months of every year but still managed to play pool at a fairly high level for years.

I had x ray up the gazoo over the years by doctors and chiropractors. Spine looked a little crooked on the bottom, L4 L5 but the doc couldn't tell and niether could the chiro that I had a herniated disc.

In 2002 I broke a vertabrae in my back. The orthopedic chiropractor took xrays and could not see the herniation. After a month I told the chiro this doesn't seem to be getting any better and he looked at me and said I think your right.

Sent me for an MRI and found the bad disc and the cracked vertabrae. They sent me to get a shot of steroids in my back which was the first of a series of three.

I never made it to the third one. My friends carried me into the hospital 2 days after the second shot. I couldn't use my left leg at all and they did surgery the next morning.

I had the old herniated disc that they shaved down and the vertabrae was already healing. But there were 13 bone fragments that the doc took out. He saved them for me and asked me if I wanted to keep them. I didn't.

For years I suffered with a very bad herniated disc. If anyone over the years had really looked at the whole picture and seen all the down time and trouble I had I would have been save an awful lot of pain and suffering.

It took about 2 years to heal up good from the surgery. I could now cross my left leg over my right for the first time in probably 25 years.

I have alot of arthritis in my lower back. The doc could see this and said it was from all the wear and tear from that disc.

If I lift something the wrong way I pay for it for about 3 days. Not like before where it would seem like it would never heal. I would look like I was walking sideways with a limp.

My best advice is to keep after them until they do an MRI. I hope they already did. It's the only way they can really see what is really wrong with that back or neck.

I was afraid to have any surgery because people had always told me about all these horror stories but for every 1 horror story there is maybe 100 good stories where the surgery has made my quality of life so much better.

If it keeps on and on and on there is usually a reason.

My son had an MRI on his back. It turned out negative but at least now he knew.

Ice was my best friend for years. And Advil.

Good luck and hope your back gets better. Your not too old. Your in the prime of your life.....:thumbup:

 

[m79a]

I agree with the previous poster. Ice and advil, don't use heat, just keep icing it. I have a herniated disc in my lower back and nerve damage in my upper leg from it. Don't really have much pain associated with that anymore, but I do suffer with back spasms pretty often.

 

[beav99_4life]

Ok guys I just turned forty on Saturday and have recently sustained a back injury through work earlier this year. It is making it difficult to play. It seems I am good only for about 1/2 hour to an hour before it is just killing me. I have painkillers for it but they through my game off. Am I just getting old and having to learn to deal with this or is their any advice from some players out there suffering from similar issues?:frown:

Besides the age difference (i'm 29), I could have written this post word for word. I've learned to spend that first hour or so really concentrating on my game and warming up. After that I play until I get to the point of being disgusted with my game due to my back pain (well that and the fact i'm horrible to start off with). I've also found that it helps to play for an hour or so and then take an hour break, but I realize that isn't feasible for everyone. I do it because when I go to the pool hall, its usually for 5 or 6 hours.

 

[Dead Crab]

If you have a home table, elevate the playing surface to 34". This will probably help more than anything.

If you are practicing, take a break every 15 minutes.

Try bending knees or widening stance to get low.

Always flex the knees a little.

Avoid stances that require twisting of the back in addition to bending.

 

[Gerry]

I have a bad disk at L5-S1 from a series of car accidents, and racing everything from motorcycles to dirt track cars when I was in my 20's/30's. Also being a plumber for 25 years hasn't helped my back at all.

When I practice I'm fine mostly, BUT.....the next morning I'm twisted up like a pretzel. the more I play the worse I hurt. The big issue is I like to hit balls like SVB.....I look up and 3 hour has gone by

I could also use a new bed because I notice if I sleep on a recliner in the living room I'm better in the morning, but the wifey is pissed!....anyone use one of those adjustable air beds?

G.

 

[big_wave_dav]

I have some issues in my lower back that will have to be addressed someday, but since I can function pretty well & can tolerate the pain I'm not willing to take a chance on surgery at this time. My wife & I got a sleep by numbers bed about 4 years ago. I noticed an imediate improvement in my back pain. It didn't cure me but was a definate help. Worth the money. I can now play pool for 3-4 hours at a time where I couldn't before.

 

[pool101]

I have an L5 problem also, I just did the first spine injection 1 week ago. It helped alot but the pain is still there, pain is about a 3 versus an 8 before.
I have been using a therma-care heat wrap, ibuprofen (4) x3 a day, and tremadal (prescription).
I just did a follow up yesterday and doc said stay with the heat but change the ibuprofen to 2 Aleave, and continue the tremadol.
So there you go some say heat some say Ice.
If you want to try the heat go to Thermacare online and get a $3 off coupon
Mark

 

[dr9ball]

As it has been posted on AZ Billiards already and I have tried it and found it works. Once you adopt your stance, slide your back foot back so that you aren't having to bend just from the waist to get down on the shot.
The stretching exercises have also helped me.

Good Luck

 

[Fatboy]

i'll give here anyone the 5 out and the break, 3 on the wire going 4. when it comes to back problems.

play when you can and make the most of it.

I hope you all do better than me, I wouldnt wish how I feel on anyone except Hitler.

 

[metallicane]

I have never had back problems until being rear ended last month. If I can play for 15 minutes at a click I am happy. Back problems suck.

 

[knifemaker]

back problems

I am 55 now had back surgery in 1981 never had a problem again until
oct of last year and ruptured a disc at L5 now I can't play but maybe 15 minutes and it starts to hurt real bad. I also with upwards of 300 so that is no help, after being down with back problems it is hard not to gain weith and harder to loose it. I just order a new cue and am not sure I can ever use it. I haven't played befroe this last back problem in 15 years and wanted to start back and then hurt my back in Oct 08. They won't do surgery on my back this time and said I had a 50% chance to not wald again if they do so I will try and play a little I love the game.
Racking the balls bent just that little bet hurts more than anything, what to do what to do, just watch the game I guess.
Good luck all with back problems.
Percy

 

[whitewolf]

Ok guys I just turned forty on Saturday and have recently sustained a back injury through work earlier this year. It is making it difficult to play. It seems I am good only for about 1/2 hour to an hour before it is just killing me. I have painkillers for it but they through my game off. Am I just getting old and having to learn to deal with this or is their any advice from some players out there suffering from similar issues?:frown:

I raised my pool table 2 inches.

Spread Eagle your legs - Charlie Williams showed me this - it relieves the stress of bending over.

Wear a back brace for God's sake.

Lose the gut.

I know this will sound ridiculous, but purchase a Tempurpedic bed with the pillow top - the best $3,000+ you will ever spend. My wife used to go to the chiropractor ever week for her back and neck and I went for 2 months at a time 3 time a year. After we got the bed, we have no sore backs and hardly ever need to see the chiropractor.

Do not use meds unless you are in a tournament or something - not when you practice. I repeat - NEVER when you practice. You need to feel the pain so that you will know it is time to quit - otherwise you will make your back get worse. You must understand that playing pool is not good for your back, so get your back in shape before you play - period.

Good luck.

 

[uwate]

its true if the injury is fresh, ice and rest are the best. For recurring pain I have used Thermacare heat pads. I actually won the Fl Amateur event while wearing one bc I had injured my back two days prior. I highly recommend them, the only drawback is that they can make you a bit uncomfortable after a while from the heat they throw off.

 

[JimS]

my back has hurt since I was 21 and "pinched a nerve". Every once in a while it happens again. I have to be careful how I move.

I have to keep my weight down and do my back exercises.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

The St. Louis Rams have been playing with a bad back all year. You may need to take some time off to let it heal. The Rams could use that same advice.

 

[mantis99]

Not sure what type of injury you sustained, but if you have a disc problem you might get some relief by doing McKenzie extension exercises. You can search the web for the exercises or look for Robin McKenzie's books "Treat Your Own Back" and "Treat Your Own Neck". You might also try putting some heat on your back before you play to loosen your muscles and ice after you play to reduce inflammation.

If you want a medical opinion, make an appointment to see a physical medicine rehabilitation specialist. A lot of people get relief from long lasting steroid injections. Good luck, I know back pain sucks.

This is pretty good advice.

Unfortunately, back problems can be from varying causes and require very different treatments. Until you have exhausted all normal medical treatements, I would not doom yourself to just living with it at the age of 40. 80% of all back injuries are healed with conservative treatment.

While each person may have had success with the advice they gave on here, there solutions may not be the right one for you. Because back pain can have such varying causes, you really can't get good advice without people knowing more about your pain. How and when did you injure it? What positions make it worse, and which ones relieve it. What have you tried already.

I think the best advice is to seek out medical attention. I would start with a physiatrist (rehab specialist) that specializes in spine. They will likely order tests to diagnose the problem, and offer treatments such as epidural injections and physical therapy. I see people with back pain in my office on a daily basis, and most get better with the proper program of exercise, joint mobilization, stretches, and modalities.

In the meantime, heating before play and icing after are good ideas to try. Also, adjusting your stance to limit the amount of bending you have to do should be a priority. I would also do some stretching before I played, and just as it starts to stiffen. Laying on your back and pulling one knee to your chest at a time with 5 second holds for 10 reps, then laying on your back with your knees bent, and gently stretching your knees to the side with the same hold and reps are a good place to start. Of course, if your pain increases while doing them, you should not continue. If you do turn out to have a disk injury, the McKenzie ex's mentioned above would be excellent. Good luck. Give us some more info, and we may be able to steer you a little better.

 

[HollyWood]

best doc's in the world-spine,back

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester Mn. and Johns Hopkins in Boston,Mass . Will tell you the best thing you can do is lose weight!!! It takes a long time to rid the waist area of fat-thats what pulls on the back. mark