I have been trying really hard to point my ankles when swimming beaststroke and ... hm, maybe I have overdone it, 'cause my left ankle starts hurting when I swim breaststroke now, well, I do not really feel it while swimming but when out of the water and only when I touch the spot or stretch my ankle.
Any ideas?
Former Member
You've probably strained it. Ice it, take an anti-inflammatory (Ibuprofen), and try to rest it a bit. Don't swim breaststroke like that until you start to feel an improvement.
If it gets worse, go see your doctor.
Former Member
the bad thing about swimming is that it can really wear on all of your joints.
when you start swimming *** again, BEFORE you hop in the water... stretch your ankles/legs... ask your coach for some good stretches that can get your ankles warmed up before you hit the H2O.
s.
Former Member
Originally posted by CCSR79
I don't believe you strained it, otherwise you'd definitely be feeling it at other times as well, not just when swimming breaststroke (this I know for sure -- I've sprained my ankle before and it really hurts! You can barely walk on it!)
Not true. First off, a strain and a sprain are two completely different injuries. Secondly, it's entirely possible to receive an injury that is only exacerbated by certain activities. When I practiced sweeping kicks in my hapkido class, I bent my foot too far and strained a muscle near my ankle. It only hurt when I bent my foot in the same direction.
You'd know if it was a sprain-they're painful.
Former Member
Originally posted by centaur532
Not true. First off, a strain and a sprain are two completely different injuries...You'd know if it was a sprain-they're painful.
I think posting on a hurry, I didn't realize the two terms! (I even used them both as well!)
Former Member
Maybe I can help out a little...I don't mean to get too technical, but there is a big difference between a strain and a sprain. I realize these terms are often used interchangeably, however, they are two different beasts:
- a strain is an injury in which muscle fibers tear.
- a sprain is an injury in which fibers of a ligament are torn
Then there are 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree strains and sprains, depending on the severity of the tears. They are all , incidentally, acquired the same way, by overuse, overstretch and and overload, possibly crushing.
In a 1st degree strain only a few fibers are affected.
A 3rd degree strain constitutes a complete rupture of the muscle.
A 3rd degree sprain is an injury in which all fibers of a ligament are torn.
They are both painful, except maybe in the case of a 3rd degree strain: if the muscle is ruptured and no other structures have been affected. So, any sprain or strain will cause pain.
I hope that helps:D
Former Member
I do know the difference (as I've had them both!) Just didn't realize it when I was reading and writing the posts!
Former Member
oops...sorry....didn't mean to step on toes:(
Former Member
Breaststroke is my best stroke, but maybe I'm wrong, but when you say "I've been trying really hard to point my ankles" am I the only one who sees a problem with this? The flow of your legs and feet on breaststroke should be much more natural, don't concentrate too much on pointing your ankles, you're probably putting too much tension there, when there is no need for it. When you flex your ankles let it be more of a natural flow of the stroke as opposed to something you're concentrating on. Does this make any sense?
I don't believe you strained it, otherwise you'd definitely be feeling it at other times as well, not just when swimming breaststroke (this I know for sure -- I've sprained my ankle before and it really hurts! You can barely walk on it!)
Former Member
Originally posted by bckstrker
oops...sorry....didn't mean to step on toes:(
Don't worry about it! I'm sure a lot of people benefited from that information!
