My therapist suggested that I return to full stroke swimming even though I am not fully recovered from my injury. My rotator muscles are still relatively weak and have a low level of stamina but he thinks that swimming without PAIN will speed the recovery process. It should help me gain stamina and strength as well as allow my cuff muscles to re-coordinate themselves with each other. I was swimming about a mile a day when I was injured so where should I aim for now? The therapist said to stay away from pain but left it at that. Should I cut it down to 800 yards pain free? Should I swim a mile if I can do it pain free? I am also planning on doing my exercises after I swim so that my shoulders are fresh when I get in the water. Is that a good plan?
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Points well taken. I will swim 500 yards maximum at a leisurely pace. I'll take some ice packs with me so I can ice on my way home as well. I tried getting back into swimming about a month ago and after three progressively better visits, my fourth was painful from the start. I must say that I am a bit uneasy and scared that I am in for a repeat of before. The only thing that keeps me thinking positive is that I have three weeks of PT and cuff exercises under my belt now. Hopefully that along with the continued cuff exercises will allow me to build back up to my pre-injury state at a measured rate.
Points well taken. I will swim 500 yards maximum at a leisurely pace. I'll take some ice packs with me so I can ice on my way home as well. I tried getting back into swimming about a month ago and after three progressively better visits, my fourth was painful from the start. I must say that I am a bit uneasy and scared that I am in for a repeat of before. The only thing that keeps me thinking positive is that I have three weeks of PT and cuff exercises under my belt now. Hopefully that along with the continued cuff exercises will allow me to build back up to my pre-injury state at a measured rate.
