shoulder joint pain from a young guy

nataddrho

nataddrho

www.digicue.net
Silver Member
I'm a B- player, I have a good piston stroke that I trust and feel very comfortable with, and I stand square to the table, something like a snooker boxer stance. When I remember to follow through I play very well.

I also have an ok pendulum stroke... Stand more sideways, have a good eye,elbow,hand plane that matches the aiming line, and I trust the stroke too, maybe a tad less because I don't use it as much.

Problem is that when I stand sideways, an hour after I play for a ling time the shoulder socket of my bridging arm hurts quite a bit. Must be putting pressure on the ligaments or something. Anyway, I can't figure out how to avoid getting that pain. It's weird.

I'm also only 31, 6'1", and in good shape (crossfit)

Not looking to switch strokes to traditional pendulum... Just curious if anyone else has this problem?
 
I had shoulder pain too for a while when I played a lot, but figured out I was sleeping on it wrong. Just a thought.
 
Ice for pain. Get a light cue (18.5 or less) , also try a forward weighted cue or a heavier shaft. Use a light grip and try adding a very little wrist action to your stroke. Don't mess with surgery unless absolutely necessary.
 
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You might just have an injury (semi-chronic) that's unrelated to pool, but rears its ugly head when you bridge just so...Motrin and analgesic rubs help, but only kick the can down the road. You're doing something wrong, impossible for anyone to advise you without seeing it.

I have a chronic case of tennis elbow that I actually got from shooting pool (!)...I take Alieve or Motrin, wear a brace/wrap on my forearm and it helps, but long sessions keep this thing injured. I can't do anything about it but quit shooting pool and that's not going to happen, so...sometimes things we love hurt.
 
Before you play stretch it out. I had a shoulder replaced in 01 (I was 26) and I have to deal with it every time I play. Start by bending over and letting it free hang while moving it in a figure 8. Gradually work your way to full extension and it should help.
 
weird ; just had the sam problem with my shoulder on the bridge side. Irritating as hell. Still have some of it. Went a few weeks with it. Went to the doc's/emergency room etc because it hurt so bad I couldn't sleep. It turned out to be rotator cup. Just slept on it wrong. A buddy of mine is a physical therapist and he says he sees it all the time. Its pretty common supposedly. I told him I lived for 53 years so far and haven't done this yet. He told me when you sleep; if you are a slide sleeper, once in a while you'll fall asleep with more weight on the joint that should be and that is what throws it out. Got me doing some weights and rotating them and that has helped. Weird world out there ! Good luck !
 
Sound like you have to much weight on your left hand and possibly unbalanced(moving throughout the shot). I am 6'3" so I understand the challenges of a taller player.
Make sure when get down on the ball, you center over your legs, bend at the hips(push your dairy-air away from the table) and instead of putting your bridge hand on the table first, let your elbow hit the table.
When you finish your stroke you should be able to pick your bridge hand up without the fear of falling forward.
When you are unbalanced with to much weight forward, those little muscles in your shoulder are constantly firing trying to keep you from falling over.
Also make sure you are bringing your bridge hand over to the line of the stick.
HTH,
Bill
 
I had the same issues, I used to have an traditional pool stance (back leg straight forward leg bent), it looks like because of my height and that kind of stance it put too much weight on your bridge arm. There's two solutions, you can have a bent bridge arm and let the elbow rest on the table or switch to a double crouch stance like I did (keep same alignment just bend both knees). Some instructors are really against this stance but look at most 5'11''+ champs. Earl, SVB, Thorsten and a bunch more they all have some sort of both knees bent while they shoot.
 
Sounds like your balance/approach to the shot could easily be outta place, and when down on the shot, you're likely utilizing your muscles to attain where you Should be. Years ago I created carpal tunnel from a similar situation. I'd do a search, there are other Threads that have dealt with this.
 
oshua86 said:
I had the same issues, I used to have an traditional pool stance (back leg straight forward leg bent), it looks like because of my height and that kind of stance it put too much weight on your bridge arm. There's two solutions, you can have a bent bridge arm and let the elbow rest on the table or switch to a double crouch stance like I did (keep same alignment just bend both knees). Some instructors are really against this stance but look at most 5'11''+ champs. Earl, SVB, Thorsten and a bunch more they all have some sort of both knees bent while they shoot.
Click to expand...

I do this, too...I'm 6'2" and have to bend both knees or I can't see the balls through my eyebrows...Mike Davis keeps his back leg straight, but he has to spread his legs almost 5 feet apart to pull it off. Plus, even as good as he is, no way I'm copying that crazy shoulder stroke of his!
 
Alright, it looks as though I'm not the only one. The more square I stand to the table, the less post-playing-pain.
 
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nataddrho said:
I'm a B- player, I have a good piston stroke that I trust and feel very comfortable with, and I stand square to the table, something like a snooker boxer stance. When I remember to follow through I play very well.

I also have an ok pendulum stroke... Stand more sideways, have a good eye,elbow,hand plane that matches the aiming line, and I trust the stroke too, maybe a tad less because I don't use it as much.

Problem is that when I stand sideways, an hour after I play for a ling time the shoulder socket of my bridging arm hurts quite a bit. Must be putting pressure on the ligaments or something. Anyway, I can't figure out how to avoid getting that pain. It's weird.

I'm also only 31, 6'1", and in good shape (crossfit)

Not looking to switch strokes to traditional pendulum... Just curious if anyone else has this problem?
Click to expand...

I have the same pain off and on for years. I see you do crossfit and it probably stems from that. I workout regularly and know this is where my problem comes from. You can look up some good shoulder rehab exercises to help mend it. I've been doing some and it seems to help along with some glucosemein supplement. IBProfen is your friend too. I keep some in my case. If you can't find any of the rehab exercises shoot me a pm and I'll tell you some.
 
I had this too a couple years back when I was playing a LOT. After coming here and doing some google searches, I changed my stance just a hair to better carry the weight on my legs and stop leaning so heavily on my bridge-arm... pain was gone. It's a minor change that shouldn't affect your stroke or game - but you'll know as soon as you revert back to the "wrong" way. heh.
 
I have the same trouble after I shoot for a while as well. I am 55 and come to find out its a disk in my neck. I had been seeing a chiropractor for it for about 2 months and it is better. Being you are taller then I am (5'8") I feel sure it is harder on you to bend over and to tilt your head back to look at the shot. Try stretching your neck. Put your back to the wall with your head touching it as well. Tilt your head side to side for 30 to 45 sec. at a time. Do 4 to 5 sets. It helps me. Let me know if it works. Best of luck
 
nataddrho said:
Problem is that when I stand sideways, an hour after I play for a ling time the shoulder socket of my bridging arm hurts quite a bit.
Click to expand...
I had this problem also. Went to an orthopedic surgeon who took xrays. What do you know, I'm bone on bone in both of my shoulders. Got a cortisone shot and feel great!
 
I also get the shoulder pain on the bridge shoulder and found tha stretching it before play helps a lot.

Not playing pool helps more.
 
I had a torn labrum in my bridge shoulder. Don't think I did it playing pool, it had hurt for about 6 years. Had surgery in September and still working on building it back up.
 
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