Is Swimming Good For Back Pain

Swimming is an excellent form of aerobic exercise. But, can it help you when you experience back pain?

Few studies have been conducted on the link between reduced back pain and swimming. However, the studies which have been conducted appear to show back pain is reduced when swimming regularly.

Most physiotherapists and doctors recommend swimming to reduce back pain.

Can swimming help to control back pain?

Doing the right form of exercise is essential when experiencing back problems.

Before you start any exercise regime, you need to understand what is causing your pain.
Making the problem worse is the last thing you want to do.

When Is Swimming Beneficial?

Swimming has been shown to be beneficial when it comes to lower back pain.
It benefits other forms of pain management as well, but when we look closer there is a clear link to pain in the lower back.

Does that mean you should dive straight into the pool or sea and start swimming? The emphasis is very much on controlling your activity. Swimming 1000 metres your first time in the pool is not a good idea.

Check Your General Fitness

If you are overall fit, chances are swimming as an exercise benefits you more. It is thought fitter people have better oxygen saturation. This means fresh oxygen gets to muscles and tendons faster helping them to heal.

Talk through your exercise routine with your doctor. If you have other problems including high blood pressure, exercising the right way becomes even more important.

Long Distances VS More Frequent Swimming

Swimming to manage back pain is a trial-and-error process.

Doing any exercise for longer periods does have benefits. But, exercising for shorter periods is also good for you.

If you have not swam for a long time, swimming for shorter distances is better for you. You may want to start swimming 200 metres and gradually build up over time. If 200 metres is too much, you can even try 100 or 50 metres.

Stay in the pool if you can and go for another lap.

When you have established your comfort level, stick with it for a while. After a couple of weeks, start pushing yourself by swimming by taking on longer distances.

However, in general, swimming more frequently is thought to have as many health benefits as frequent walks. The emphasis is on getting mobile and staying mobile.

What Are The Benefits of Swimming for Back Pain?

Swimming quickly strengthens muscles and tendons.

When you swim, you don’t work on one particular muscle or group of muscles in isolation. You need to use many different muscle groups when you swim. This is one of the benefits of swimming.

If you swim correctly, you probably use your muscles in your arms and legs as much as you do in your back. This helps improve alignment which is an essential part of controlling back pain.

Is swimming a weight-bearing exercise? When you swim, your body is supported by the water. You are lifted and supported by the water.

Does this make swimming less effective when it comes to building muscle?

The more muscle mass we have, the less likely we are to experience joint pain or back problems.

Swimming challenges your muscles and tendons as you work against the water. However, this is natural and gently helps to re-align your spine.

Does swimming help to “straighten” my spine? The jury is out on this. One thing we know is that swimming helps to strengthen muscles and make them more flexible. In other words, swimming gives you the best of both worlds.

Should I Wear a Back Support?

Swimming is a popular exercise back pain sufferers all over the world.

In recent years, a range of back supports in the form of various swimming belts have been developed. Most of these belts focus on the area of your lower spine, but there are those which offer greater support.

Wearing a support when you swim, and the type of support is something you should discuss with your health professional. If they feel it would benefit you, it is something you should consider doing.

Chronic Back Pain

More of us than ever before live with chronic back pain.

There is no doubt about it - exercising is challenging when you have a permanent back problem.

Stagnation and sitting down are two of the worst things you can do when experiencing chronic back problems. Instead, you should make sure you are as mobile as possible.

Walking is one of the exercises which help, but swimming also has many merits. If you can, try to implement an exercise regime which is a fusion of the two.

Go for a walk one day and swim the next.

Does Swimming In the Sea Help?

Doctors in Mediterranean countries recognise the benefits of swimming in open water, especially the sea.

According to Spanish doctors, the temperature does not matter so much. It is the minerals and salts in seawater which help.

Swimming in freshwater is okay, but the water in lakes and rivers is not as rich in minerals as seawater. During the summer, physiotherapists in countries such as Spain recommend that their patients swim in the swim.

What About Cold Water Swimming?

Swimming in cold water can help. But, don’t just jump in.

Take your time and get used to increasingly cool temperatures. Start during the summer so your body is acclimated to variations in water temperature when the cold weather starts.

We know that cold water helps to reduce inflammation. Maybe this is why open-water swimmers experience fewer problems with back pain.

The Final Verdict

Most who start swimming say they experience less back pain. Yes, there are few studies, but you should ask yourself if we need studies.

Most health professionals believe there is a positive link between swimming and better control of back pain problems. Start slowly and consider wearing a back support.

Brought to you by Your Back Pain Relief