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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Thanks all for your advice.
Diana - You are patient!! I was prescribed many strengthening exercises but never be patient enough to stick with it for 12 weeks! I didn't see much improvements after a few weeks of those for my hip nor back. Hmmm... time to resume those. Why is that it is sooo much easier to stick with 12 weeks of marathon training, but not a simple strengthening exercises :confused:
I know swimming is not the cause this tightness. It is probably from my body's compensation mechanism to deal with the tight and weak hip muscles developed from running. I come to this simple conclution; When your body is working the way it should be, I bet swimming is a great aerobic activity due to its non-impact character. Swimming does still require a good strong back to hold yourself straight. So if your back is already tight not working properly, you could aggrevate that from swimmin.
I am no longer doing a flip turn and paying more attention to the hand entry (my hands often cross the center line) and the way my head moves for taking a breath. I just receivevd a swimmer's snorkel - at least this may help to avoid putting any additional stress to my back. This product is said to help a swimmer with neck, back injury.
The sad thing is, I had to decide not to swim in an upcoming State meet. I don't like to race, knowing I didn't train enough and I can't swim my best. I know only one way to race and pushing hard won't do any good for my recovery from this injury.
It is just so frustrating - running and biking hit my can't-do list due to this hip injury. Now swimming is getting so close to make to the list :mad: I am seeing a Rolfer next week - hope she can help me out.
Again, thanks for your advice and reading my long post. I am hitting a pool this weekend to try out my snorkel and a few other things I learned.
Thanks all for your advice.
Diana - You are patient!! I was prescribed many strengthening exercises but never be patient enough to stick with it for 12 weeks! I didn't see much improvements after a few weeks of those for my hip nor back. Hmmm... time to resume those. Why is that it is sooo much easier to stick with 12 weeks of marathon training, but not a simple strengthening exercises :confused:
I know swimming is not the cause this tightness. It is probably from my body's compensation mechanism to deal with the tight and weak hip muscles developed from running. I come to this simple conclution; When your body is working the way it should be, I bet swimming is a great aerobic activity due to its non-impact character. Swimming does still require a good strong back to hold yourself straight. So if your back is already tight not working properly, you could aggrevate that from swimmin.
I am no longer doing a flip turn and paying more attention to the hand entry (my hands often cross the center line) and the way my head moves for taking a breath. I just receivevd a swimmer's snorkel - at least this may help to avoid putting any additional stress to my back. This product is said to help a swimmer with neck, back injury.
The sad thing is, I had to decide not to swim in an upcoming State meet. I don't like to race, knowing I didn't train enough and I can't swim my best. I know only one way to race and pushing hard won't do any good for my recovery from this injury.
It is just so frustrating - running and biking hit my can't-do list due to this hip injury. Now swimming is getting so close to make to the list :mad: I am seeing a Rolfer next week - hope she can help me out.
Again, thanks for your advice and reading my long post. I am hitting a pool this weekend to try out my snorkel and a few other things I learned.
