I'm going to see a neck and spine specialist this week to figure out why I have chronic neck pain. I've read on the arthritis foundation website that they don't recommend freestyle swimming - in fact it's one of the exercises they say to Not do - for neck arthritis. I am very much worried that the doctor's going to diagnose arthritis, which runs in my family, and tell me no more freestyle, breaststroke, or any other swimming that requires turning or lifting my head. Aside from using a mask and snorkel, I can't figure out a way around it.
Do any of you have arthritis in your neck? Usually, swimming is one of the best exercises for arthritis, but apparently head turning causes inflammation and pain. Am I to be a part of the shameful shower cap, noodle crowd? Input appreciated.
Thanks for that Denise. I see "Do: ... flexibility neck exercises (such as head turns and tilts)" and "Don't: ... swimming freestyle or using the breaststroke". The latter would seem to be roughly the same as the latter (free == head turns, *** == tilts). Actually, if done correctly, I doubt there is much head tilt happening in modern-day breaststroke. Clearly, ask your doc, but I wonder if mixing in a little bit of free and/or *** with mostly back would be acceptable as "flexibility neck exercises".
Thanks for that Denise. I see "Do: ... flexibility neck exercises (such as head turns and tilts)" and "Don't: ... swimming freestyle or using the breaststroke". The latter would seem to be roughly the same as the latter (free == head turns, *** == tilts). Actually, if done correctly, I doubt there is much head tilt happening in modern-day breaststroke. Clearly, ask your doc, but I wonder if mixing in a little bit of free and/or *** with mostly back would be acceptable as "flexibility neck exercises".
