Even though billiards is not a contact sport like rugby, or football –you can still sustain injuries from playing. It is important to know what common injuries to look out for, so you can treat them when they emerge. We will look at two of the most common injuries that billiard players experience.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis in the wrist is a common injury that many billiard players will experience at one point or another. Tendonitis occurs when your tendon sheath is inflamed from constant trauma. Ice, over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, and rest will help. If your tendonitis is bad, this could bench you and your cue for a while. It is not worth playing through the pain, as you could land up with long term damage. In this case it is best to take a back seat and be a spectator for a while. Go support your friends when they play billiards even though you cannot play yourself. You can also improve your game by watching others. Although, some people may find being in the billiards environment frustrating as they are unable to participate in the fun. If this is you, you may want to investigate some other entertainment options that will not put so much strain on your body. There are so many sports betting offers available online. Whether you want to bet on horseraces or football – there are tons of options! If you are new to the site, you will also be entitled to some free bets to jump start your winnings. It is horrible that you have to retire your cue for a while, but look on the bright side; you may win big with sports betting and that would be something good!
Sprains
A sprained wrist is another all too common injury amongst billiard players. When the ligaments surrounding the wrist’s joint are exposed to excessive and repetitive force –often from gripping your cue tightly –severe pain can ensue. You may experience swelling and bruising, and could find it hard to move your wrist without being in pain. Sprains are very common, and easily treated. The RICE method for treating strains is the most well-known and effective. RICE is an acronym that helps you to remember the correct procedure to follow. R stands for rest. First you need to rest your wrist. I stands for ice. You need to apply ice to the strain in order to reduce the swelling. It is optimal to ice the injury for 10 to 20 minutes, three times a day. C refers to compression. In order to compress the injury, you need to wrap an elastic bandage around it. This will keep it secure and prevent you from causing any further injury. Do not wrap the bandage too tightly though. If the bandage is too tight, it may cause even more swelling! E is for elevation, the last step in the RICE method. Now you need to elevate the injury. You want to keep it above your heart in order to control the swelling. Placing your bandaged hand on a pillow at an elevated level will usually suffice.
