Hi I am new here.
I have been having a lower back pain for the last few months. I am not sure if this was caused by my nagging hip injury from running or increased amount of swimming (in a poor form). I haven't been running for more than few months, have cut back the swimming volume (from 8000yd/wk to 3-4000/wk), physical therapies, acupuncture, core strengthening work etc. etc. but nothing has helped much.
A few experienced swimmers looked at my swimming form including underwater didn't find anything particular that might be causing or aggrevating my lowerback pain. A few things they noticed are that my arms in front of me tend to cross the center line, and that I do have sissor-kicks, and oh of course horrible low elbow.
I am a triathlete and swimming was the only thing I could do without pain due to the hip problem, until recently. Now with this lower back pain, I can't even swim without worring about pain. Buoy helps and I am waiting for a swimmer's snorkel to arrive so at least I don't have to take a breath which may have something to do with the backpain.
Sorry for the long post. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance.
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Former Member
Thanks all. I did see a DR for my back and actually many Dr.'s for my hip. Took MRI for my back and found nothing wrong with spine/disc. He is sure it is soft tissue issues. I do see an Orthopoedic massage therapist right now weekly, but unfortunately I haven't seen any improvements. I am pretty light (108lb, 5'3") so I don't think weight is an issue here. I do feel my posture is or have become poor (dur to tight hip and that is pulling something out of whack?). It is very frustrating that swimming which I started enjoying very much is aggrevating my tightness in my back. I think, due to core weekness, my back is hyperextending (?), arching too much. I was told my pelvic is tilted anteriorly by a PT. I thought I could rehab from my running injuries AND improving my swim, but I guess swimming does require some well-balanced body to enjoy.
I just became USMS member in order to participate in a swim meet first time in my life a month ago. I am supposed to go to a State championship in a few weeks but I am not sure at this point.
Thanks for listening my whining. :)
Thanks all. I did see a DR for my back and actually many Dr.'s for my hip. Took MRI for my back and found nothing wrong with spine/disc. He is sure it is soft tissue issues. I do see an Orthopoedic massage therapist right now weekly, but unfortunately I haven't seen any improvements. I am pretty light (108lb, 5'3") so I don't think weight is an issue here. I do feel my posture is or have become poor (dur to tight hip and that is pulling something out of whack?). It is very frustrating that swimming which I started enjoying very much is aggrevating my tightness in my back. I think, due to core weekness, my back is hyperextending (?), arching too much. I was told my pelvic is tilted anteriorly by a PT. I thought I could rehab from my running injuries AND improving my swim, but I guess swimming does require some well-balanced body to enjoy.
I just became USMS member in order to participate in a swim meet first time in my life a month ago. I am supposed to go to a State championship in a few weeks but I am not sure at this point.
Thanks for listening my whining. :)
