Hmmm...not sure thats a good idea!!!

benson21

benson21

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 December 2009
Messages
2,861
Visit site
Went to Docs last week for a check on my back and he once again suggested swimming. So I thought, okay, I will give it a go.:) I have been putting it off because I thought it could be quite aggrevating for my back.:o
OH MY GOD!!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek:
I have had 10 minutes in the pool this morning, and my back is absolutely screaming at me!!! I am having cramp after cramp after cramp!! Cant take a deep breath as it sets it off again!:eek::eek:
And the Doctor thinks it will do me good!!!:confused::(:confused::(:confused:
 
Doctors eh ;) They suggested swimming when I had Juvenile athritis lol. When I'm 'allowed' to go swimming I was thinking of just holding on to the side of the pool and kicking rather than actually swimming.
 
Breast stroke would be horrible for a back as you arch it, but how about holding a float and lying on your back, relaxed and kicking along?? all the water will be supporting you? xx
 
yes just floating around would do you good as your weight will be supported by the water, and thus taken off your back!
 
Have you tried some yoga ??

My mum has a spinal condition called sculliosis and had to take ill health retirement ( Director of a supported living housing organisation not just a bum) She suffered major internal bleeding from all the pain killers she took over the years and had to have 4 pints of blood, she took that many pills that if you shook her she would rattle

She now does yoga 5 times a week and in her own words only takes painkillers if she has a hangover ! :-)
 
I have cramping back pains everyday, every hour (Scoliosis) and it is horrid, I cannot descibe the pain. Its doing it right now infact! Some days are worse than others. Depends on what I've been doing and how well I slept.

Anyway, had the normal xrays, MRI etc and consultant suggested Pilates or the Alexandre Technic. Pilates may be easier to find an instructor for, but try it. I have yet to book my first lesson (trying to find local instructor) but the idea of Pilates is it helps you build your inner core, which in turn will help you support your spine more, and help with posture.

Can I ask what is wrong with your back? Have you been to anyone other than your doc?
 
Devonshire dumpling said:
Breast stroke would be horrible for a back as you arch it, but how about holding a float and lying on your back, relaxed and kicking along?? all the water will be supporting you? xx
Click to expand...

If you are swimming breaststroke correctly your spine should be in neutral. Your face should be in the water with your eyes looking down as you glide forward with your arms outstretched and your legs stretched out behind you. Then as you pull back to breathe and recover your legs to the start of your kick your body comes to a 45 degree angle in the water - again, you should not be arching your back.

Also in front crawl, your spine should be neutral, with your eyes looking down and your head and shoulders relaxed and low in the water.

If swimming is hurting you this suggests that you are holding tension in your neck and shoulders - perhaps you are not completely comfortable with your breathing? I would suggest taking some lessons with a qualified instructor. One interesting method is Steven Shaw and the Art of Swimming (I don't teach this, I teach bog standard ASA/STA adults' and children's learn to swim courses) but this might be particularly appropriate for you benson given your history of injury as they are very gentle and put a lot of emphasis on getting your body in the right alignment.
 
I feel I have been to everyone!! I broke l10-l12 last feb in an accident, so now have rods and pins holding it together! I have had physio, accupuncture, hydro, and osteopathy. I take a concoction of pain killers and have been told this is as good as it gets!
 
Eek! Going to play devil's advocate and ask whether there is a chance that your muscles are spasming because they've been seized for so long and have now been stretched a little? Maybe next time it won't be so bad.... if there IS a next time, that is!!! :D
 
What "Devonshire dumpling" said!

Floating should help lots, any swimming were you are on your front but arching your head back wd be bad.

You can also try 'aqua aerobics' if you'd like to do something interesting to get fit. Basically it is pushing floats down instead of lifting weights up and lots of gentle movement supported by the water. Lost of council pools have some kind of water-based exercise class. Not swimming as such but cd make a change!

(Although personally I can't recommend ballet highly enough.)
 
I think it is all down to what you feel happy/comfortable with. I couldn't do physiotherapy on my back, as it aggravated it even more. I see an Oesteopath every week (just start fornightly now :D) and I am also going to try Pilates.
My cramping is by my shoulder blades, and normally only on the right side of my spine. My curve goes out to the left, thus making my muscles on the right stretch to the max, and the muscles on my left relax, and do sweet FA!

You could give the swimming another go and this time, just podle around rather than trying to break a world record :D

As I said before, only you know what is good and bad for your back, and you will eventually find a method to help relax it, its just means having to try lots of different methods!
 
Benson, can you go to a proper physio therapy swimming session????

Rather than just getting on with it on your own??
 
AmyMAy, I had 6 sessions with physio in the pool, thats the amount the hospital limits patients too, too be honest I am not sure how much it helped, I think I done that too soon after my initial injuries, and unfortunately wasted my sessions. Maybe thats why I am a little cautious about doing the swimming thing, as it caused problems even when doing it with the proffessionals.
I will give it another go next week, and take the suggestions of using floats and going on my back. maybe I just done too much today!
 
unbalanced said:
If you are swimming breaststroke correctly your spine should be in neutral. Your face should be in the water with your eyes looking down as you glide forward with your arms outstretched and your legs stretched out behind you. Then as you pull back to breathe and recover your legs to the start of your kick your body comes to a 45 degree angle in the water - again, you should not be arching your back.

Also in front crawl, your spine should be neutral, with your eyes looking down and your head and shoulders relaxed and low in the water.

If swimming is hurting you this suggests that you are holding tension in your neck and shoulders - perhaps you are not completely comfortable with your breathing? I would suggest taking some lessons with a qualified instructor. One interesting method is Steven Shaw and the Art of Swimming (I don't teach this, I teach bog standard ASA/STA adults' and children's learn to swim courses) but this might be particularly appropriate for you benson given your history of injury as they are very gentle and put a lot of emphasis on getting your body in the right alignment.
Click to expand...

I know this, I actually swim breast stroke under water, but without being obviously rude to the op, I watch lots of women swim breast stroke at our pool and their hair doesn't get wet!.. infact not even their chin!
 
swimming breast stroke wrongly was one of the main things that did my back in. I have learnt to do it properly now, but it's no fun, as I can't have my head out of the water watching and listening. ;)
 
See I just tend to flap about like a beached whale!!!! There is absolutely nothing stylish about my swimming style!! Doggy paddle at its best!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top