I swam competitively from age 9 through high school and hated it. Now at age 30, I joined a local Master's team and love it. My friends say that it is my religion. My change of heart is a different topic however. Now I need some help solving my latest "possible" swimming related problem. I read another post about cervical injury and swimming but thought that this was a somewhat different subject.
Over the past three months, I have had numerous whiplash injuries to my neck and shoulders. Both my right and left sides have been affected. I end up in the doctor's office in such pain that I need muscle relaxants, vicodin, a whole lot of icy hot and some beer to move about. I end up taking time off of swimming to let my injuries heal. The doctors think that it might be swimming related. I personally don't think so and don't want it to be (since I now love it). But maybe I am doing something inadvertently.
1) I have been told that I have "beautiful" stroke technique (expect backstroke where I cross over)
2) I never dive in except in meets
3) I alternate breathe except when my neck won't allow it
4) The pool is over 80 degrees
5) I swim three to four times a week 3500 yards at a time
I want to know if anyone else has these problems or if anyone can think of swimming related techniques that would cause this.
Thanks
Parents
Former Member
I too have experienced neck and shoulder injuries due to poor swimming technique. However, I have now changed my stroke to a much lower head position, eyes focused on bottom of pool rather than ahead, and I've been working on body rotation (for freestyle). Further information on this technique can be found on the total immersion website: www.totalimmersion.net
I've found that this body position puts less strain on both neck and shoulders.
Hope this helps!
Joan
:)
I too have experienced neck and shoulder injuries due to poor swimming technique. However, I have now changed my stroke to a much lower head position, eyes focused on bottom of pool rather than ahead, and I've been working on body rotation (for freestyle). Further information on this technique can be found on the total immersion website: www.totalimmersion.net
I've found that this body position puts less strain on both neck and shoulders.
Hope this helps!
Joan
:)