Swimming for those dealing with Spinal injuries and pain.

….I wanted to share a little experience that I had yesterday, and it surprised me greatly! As many of you know, I have a history of moderate to extreme spinal pain. I had a double lumbar fusion at L4-L5, L5-S1 back in April of 2010. I did not get the pain relief that we were hoping for, and today am actually in worse pain, and nerve damage has been added to the combination. I also have a couple three bulges in the cervical area of the spine as well.

I have been off work for a week now, due to a recent heart problem, and decided to attend my wife's swimming class hare at a local recreational facility. As soon as I hit the water, I noticed, and was amazed at the immediate relief I felt in my back. It makes since, as it takes pressure off the spine and surrounding tissue.

Many of these facilities, have family plans, and this particular place has one that equals to less than a $1 each day of the year. Maybe closer to $.75 a day …and not a bad deal at all!…and well worth it in my opinion.

If you have a place like this in your town, then I encourage you to try a one time session, and see if it appeals to you and possibly helps to relieve some of your pain. I think it's probably one of the best forms of exercise one can do for themselves, without putting extra stress on the spine.

Of course, ask your Dr first! …..and Enjoy!….I sure did!

SE

SE That is or at least used to be a very good Physical Therapy treatment. When I first herniated my disc at T12 they were having me do aqua therapy, the hospital PT unit had sessions at the local hotel down the street, as they had a super heated swimming pool, and they were able to reserve it for there therapy sessions in the morning three times a week. Anyway I flunked out of it, they said that the aqua exercises were, making my condition worse, and sent a report to the doctor, that unless they fixed the problem first they did not feel that it was beneficial for me to have the aqua therapy! But they did have it for allot of patients that suffered from some spinal problems! They said that the exercises done in the warm water was better for the spine because it took allot of the weight, and stress off the spine and back. They also said the warm water was good for relaxing the muscles!

So SE this might be something that you might want to continue with doing!

Good Luck to YOU!

White Beard

Michael I have been in hydrotherapy over a year now and was even able to cut way back on my meds and Im positive this is why. Its as natural and necessary as taking my meds is now. I go at least twice a week and more if Im having increased pain.

You dont need to know how to swim Loretta and most real therapy pools are between 3-4 ft deep. Any movement in water will do and just floating and flexing muscles under the weightlessness of the waters good therapy. My old therapist just had us lean on a childs blow up ring or pool noodle and kick around the pool for 30 mins. So Loretta no risk of drowning and I cant swim either!!

You can use any heated pool and almost all medicare supplemental plans have gym memberships for free so you just have to find one with a pool. Also most local motels and campgrounds will allow you to use the pool for a few bucks and as long as the pools heated or you happen to live in Fl where outdoor pools stay warm year round your set.

I would suffer greatly if I had to stop my water play!! The best therapy going for fibro,OA and spinal injuries.

So go for a swim or water walk and see if you feel better.

Im glad you found something else to add to the list of pain relief SE.

I wanted to add that (back in the day....the past 15-20 years when I worked as a personal trainer), I would also have to cover some of the "water aerobics" classes (and lucky me, because I had my cert, I got those last minute calls to stay an extra 6 hours after work to clock in as Life Guard because they, every now and again, just didn't show up).

Regardless,...

I taught a few different classes. Yes, some were deep water. But MOST of them were in 3 feet of water, and yes, with paddle boards, noodles, floatation devices....sometimes your whole upper body was out of the water, or I'd have my class submerge themselves (in 3 feet of water) until they were chest height.

It's about moving your body back and forth, with and against the water, the freedom to do things like jump in the water (not "into" the water, clarify there),....no impact on the joints. It's magical. The warm water feels very good on the body, time flies. I played music (some instructors do, some don't), but it's a lot of fun and it gives your back a true break from the weight of gravity and compression!!

It's an exceptional idea, and it was one of the most positive classes we offered (we had to offer them more than once per day). Really worth a shot. They're magical and loads of fun!






M.