My family doctor diagnosed my shoulder pain as an impingement. He shot an x-ray, and explained a gap between two bones was responsible for the pain. He'd give a referal to a surgeon if the pain grows worse. Has anyone else had this type of experience, or have any recommendations? I'm 40 years old now, and swam competitively for five years during school years. I've done a few open water events, and a couple triathlons. I'd settle for any lap swimming. I'm going to try using the "Combat Swimmer's Stroke" hoping it lessens the strain on my shoulder. (Unfortunately, my knees don't handle breaststroke's whip kick well.) Please share any advice on overcoming a shoulder impingement. As it stands right now, my future in the pool may be limited to just kicking with fins. I'm hoping to hear some great advice, what can you share?
Parents
Former Member
The Combat Swim Stroke is a hybrid; it's mostly side stroke, but the top arm motion is more like that of front crawl. Stew Smith's website is where I learned about the stroke. The stroke seems to focus on long glides; hopefully this will minimize stress to my shoulder(s). Stew's shared some 500 times used for this stroke. Evidently there are some that can move quickly with it. It's a new chapter of swimming for me now. My competitive background was fly and IM and tri's brought me to distance free. Now I just want laps without pain (or surgery). With the grace of God, perhaps this new stroke is something I could work into open water swims?
The Combat Swim Stroke is a hybrid; it's mostly side stroke, but the top arm motion is more like that of front crawl. Stew Smith's website is where I learned about the stroke. The stroke seems to focus on long glides; hopefully this will minimize stress to my shoulder(s). Stew's shared some 500 times used for this stroke. Evidently there are some that can move quickly with it. It's a new chapter of swimming for me now. My competitive background was fly and IM and tri's brought me to distance free. Now I just want laps without pain (or surgery). With the grace of God, perhaps this new stroke is something I could work into open water swims?
