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.
If you swim freestyle and breaststroke correctly, your neck stays in alignment without a twisting or lifting motion. In freestyle, you should rotate your core at the waist rather than turn your head to breathe. In breaststroke, you should be looking down into the water (rather than straight ahead) when you breathe as if you have a neck brace on. The cervical portion of your spine should remain in alignment with the thoracic part of your spine.
I have a boatload of cervical spine problems (bridging osteophytes, degenerative disc disease in three discs, and more...); BUT, I have NO neck pain now BECAUSE I swim, and do Theraband PT exercises and yoga after I swim. Seriously, if you saw my x-rays, you would have the same frightened look on your face as my doctor did when she called me out to the hallway to look over my x-rays.
I would recommend watching videos of proper freestyle and breaststroke technique on YouTube and play close attention to the neck movement (or lack thereof) in each one. A safe bet would be watching Total Immersion or Go Swim videos; or, catch videos on Swimspire's website.
PT would also be recommended, so you can learn proper exercises for your specific needs.
Good luck!
:cheerleader:
If you swim freestyle and breaststroke correctly, your neck stays in alignment without a twisting or lifting motion. In freestyle, you should rotate your core at the waist rather than turn your head to breathe. In breaststroke, you should be looking down into the water (rather than straight ahead) when you breathe as if you have a neck brace on. The cervical portion of your spine should remain in alignment with the thoracic part of your spine.
I have a boatload of cervical spine problems (bridging osteophytes, degenerative disc disease in three discs, and more...); BUT, I have NO neck pain now BECAUSE I swim, and do Theraband PT exercises and yoga after I swim. Seriously, if you saw my x-rays, you would have the same frightened look on your face as my doctor did when she called me out to the hallway to look over my x-rays.
I would recommend watching videos of proper freestyle and breaststroke technique on YouTube and play close attention to the neck movement (or lack thereof) in each one. A safe bet would be watching Total Immersion or Go Swim videos; or, catch videos on Swimspire's website.
PT would also be recommended, so you can learn proper exercises for your specific needs.
Good luck!
:cheerleader:
