I have a jacked-up LPHC which I suspect is at least partially the result of my having aggressively lifted weights with improper form in my early 20s. My right spinal erector is extremely short and overdeveloped and my right lat very tight, which results in my right leg being slightly shorter than my left, which results in knee pain and shoulders that tend to tilt to the right, and...well, it's a mess.
Yes, yes, I know: I should see a physical therapist. But money's tight and, probably more relevantly, I'm being a big *** about the prospect of hearing the diagnosis. I have the NASM cert, at least, so I have at least a basic idea of what's going on anatomically, and how to address it with exercise.
Anyway, are any of you like me in that you swim because you must--because you have some intolerable problem for which it seems to be the best remedy? I've swum almost every day for the last two months, and while I like to tell myself that's because I'm Mr. Discipline, I'm really behaving more like a painkiller addict who still has chronic pain. I rarely get frustrated if I seem not to be improving, because being a good swimmer is not my primary concern. Alleviating the pain and tension is, and that happens without fail.
Hey Goatboy!
If I don't swim regularly, I feel "off" in a number of ways. I have to swim about every two to three days at a minimum or else the following will occur:
- My Blood Pressure rises significantly
- My bad cholesterol rises
- My muscles tighten up
- My neck and back bug me (not terribly, but it's noticeable)
As I aged, I found swimming to be a great way to manage the above without relying on medications.
Not sure if this qualifies as "have to" but it sure is a "want to"!
It kills stress dead, especially if you go in with the idea that the primary purpose of the session is to relax.
On an intuitive level, of course it's a no-brainer that swimming would push your cholesterol and blood pressure in the right direction, but it's nice to know that someone's actually verified it.
Hey Goatboy!
If I don't swim regularly, I feel "off" in a number of ways. I have to swim about every two to three days at a minimum or else the following will occur:
- My Blood Pressure rises significantly
- My bad cholesterol rises
- My muscles tighten up
- My neck and back bug me (not terribly, but it's noticeable)
As I aged, I found swimming to be a great way to manage the above without relying on medications.
Not sure if this qualifies as "have to" but it sure is a "want to"!
It kills stress dead, especially if you go in with the idea that the primary purpose of the session is to relax.
On an intuitive level, of course it's a no-brainer that swimming would push your cholesterol and blood pressure in the right direction, but it's nice to know that someone's actually verified it.
