So it would seem my low back is getting better now that I'm not overdoing the kickboard. I've since just switched to simple freestyle, doing about 10-20 touch and goes with fins and webbed gloves.
Last week my right neck and shoulder had been bothering me as a result and it doesn't seem to be going away despite me doing stretching every day.
So to date, since I have started swimming a few months ago I have had low back pain, elbow pain and now neck/shoulder pain. Everyone raves about how "low impact" swimming is- and I'd be happy to believe that because I am LOVING this new exercise- but I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something terribly wrong or is this just something I need to "power through" as a newbie who is developing new muscle usage?
I really hope I can get through this because swimming is so fun and my heart rate and BP have been amazing since I started in this very short time.
I agree with Elaine's points. I would be especially cautious about using the webbed gloves and the fins. If you don't have good ankle flexibility, you can put too much pressure on the ankle, causing soreness, and without a strong kick to begin with the fins can inadvertently cause you to end up kicking more from the knees as opposed to from the hips, which could cause knee pain. Depending upon the webbed gloves you use (whether they are open fingered or closed), they can potentially be very hard on the shoulders, because - unlike a regular paddle - they retain water. Which type of gloves have you been using?
As Elaine said, I would certainly recommend getting your stroke analyzed to ensure that you are maintaining proper technique and avoiding potential injuries. Good luck!
I agree with Elaine's points. I would be especially cautious about using the webbed gloves and the fins. If you don't have good ankle flexibility, you can put too much pressure on the ankle, causing soreness, and without a strong kick to begin with the fins can inadvertently cause you to end up kicking more from the knees as opposed to from the hips, which could cause knee pain. Depending upon the webbed gloves you use (whether they are open fingered or closed), they can potentially be very hard on the shoulders, because - unlike a regular paddle - they retain water. Which type of gloves have you been using?
As Elaine said, I would certainly recommend getting your stroke analyzed to ensure that you are maintaining proper technique and avoiding potential injuries. Good luck!
