Dive In To The Benefits of Swimming!

One of the many benefits of living in South Florida is getting to take a dive into the pool year round, and swimming is especially enjoyable in the heat of summer. Not only is swimming a great way to cool down on a hot day, it is also a great aerobic exercise and can ease and prevent pain. There are many rewards that come with swimming, but like most activities, it does come with some risks. Here’s what you need to know about how swimming can affect your back.

How Swimming Can Cause Back Pain

Maintaining proper posture is an important part of maintaining spinal health, and that applies to swimming, too! Floating along is one thing, but if you are serious about swimming, be mindful of your form while doing laps, particularly when it comes to the breaststroke and butterfly. Both of those strokes put a great deal of stress on the lower back. The power that is generated by the kick of lower back strokes is dependent upon the joints in the lower back along with the hips, knees, and ankles. If the pelvis is tilted to far, it can actually cause the joints in the vertebrae to compress.

Additionally, those strokes can cause the lower back to hyper-extend while the neck and upper back can be jerked backward repeatedly.

Get A Stronger Back With Swimming

When you aren’t mindful of how your body is moving, swimming poses some risks. But it can also help prevent back pain by strengthening your back muscles! Keep these tips in mind to protect your spine while swimming:

• Practice proper form for strokes

• If you are experiencing discomfort, use back or side strokes

• Keep your body level in the water

• While practicing breaststroke, remember to roll your body to the side and keep your chin in when taking breaths to keep your head from jerking backward

• Swim with goggles

• When practicing water aerobics, use flotation devices as needed to maintain proper form

If want to dive in this summer but are experiencing back pain, click here to schedule an appointment. We have plenty of tips to help you safely get to swimming! Plus, with regular chiropractic adjustments, your spinal will be strong and healthy so you can enjoy swimming for summers to come.