Lumbar stenosis

Steve, I've had spondylolesthesis in L4-L5 since at least 1988 (it took me 4 years just to learn how to pronounce it). I've swum quite a bit over the intervening years and have learned how to deal with it. It is the hyper extention that gets me in trouble so I've got to be very careful with fly and have had to learn to keep my pelvis in the correct plane and keep my fly kick extremely stiff. Actually, it's probably improved my technique some by having to stay so flat. That being said, I got a bit carried away in the weight room in Dec. and Jan. and it has really gotten much worse. I've stopped doing most[/I of the stupid stuff. This coming Mon. I'm getting a new type of "stand up" MRI to see if other things are going on. However, I'm still able to train hard and,unless I don't pay attention to my kick mechanics, have minimal discomfort in the water. Standing up is another matter. Good luck and don't let your diagnosis limit your activity. Just learn how to adapt. Rich

Steve sorry to hear of your issues. I suffer from degenerated discs L3,4 and 5. I've found swimming to be very beneficial to my condidtion, but for me hyperextending the spine is a good exercise for me. I think you will be ok in he water if you can find motions that do not hurt you. You might benefit form neoprene support, which you might be allowed to wear in the water. good luck... Rich

Is stenosis a narrowing of the spinal column? I would be sure to excersise with doctor's input since not all spinal issues are the same. Having said that, I have a single herniated disc which, at the age of 40, really made my life miserable (still does from time to time). I had to give up running track (100m, 200m, 400m) since the training was too intense on my back. Two years ago I turned to swimming to help a case of achilies tendonitis and also see how it felt on my lower back. Never having swum before it was very difficult, and it did hurt my lower back for some time. Over time my core strengthened and the back started to heal. My back did start bothering me again with fly, so I scrapped it. I scrapped back due to the required SDK as well and stick with free and ***. I find freestyle and *** is very easy on the lower back. I have found a new outlet for my aggresion and in less than two years have gotten my 100SCY down from 1:11 to 1:03 and my 50SCY from 32 to 26.7. As far as I am concerned, I am not even close to where I think I can be in two more years. I have good days and bad, but so long as I train smart, it has been working for me. Good luck! I think you will find swimming very satisfying.

It is the hyper extention that gets me in trouble so I've got to be very careful with fly and have had to learn to keep my pelvis in the correct plane and keep my fly kick extremely stiff. Actually, it's probably improved my technique some by having to stay so flat. Rich, can you elaborate on that kick for me,if you have time please? I can sometimes feel the fly kick (haha attempted I should say) and experimenting in another style may be useful. also how has this affected your times, or is Fly just an accompanying stroke for you? Thanks The "other" Rich :)

I would think you should have no significant issue swimming with spinal stenosis. I am a physician with my own back issues (though I've never had my back xray'd). One general comment is that you should use your own experience to be your guide. Having said that, you should hang in there for a while to see what issues are arising from returning to the pool, and which are coming from your back. Second, there are ways to get your pelvis and lower back in a bad position in the pool, but if you engage your abs during your stroke, you should rarely if ever reach this point. I think in the Pilates world they would call this "imprinting" your pelvis, or something like that. Basically, you're sucking your navel into your back. If you can do this, you should be fine. Take it out slow if you're starting over, and don't forget to stretch your shoulders too.

I think it is different for everybody. You have got to know your own body well enough to decide whether the pain you are in is from getting back in shape or doing you damage. I have recommended a book before (Healing Back Pain Naturally – by Art Bernstein). A lot of what is in this book makes sense and I found it a useful tool in gaining control of my situation and learning how to read the signs. Swimming always takes the stiffness out of my back and I can usually move like :wiggle: afterwards :rofl: Take it ezy at the start and keep a daily diary, it helps to be able to look back and pinpoint what works and what doesn't.

Rich- you must be more careful in the weight room and such; we depend on you to continue to produce more jaw-dropping swims for many decades to come. Also to answer any questions we have on pool chemistry...

Rich- had thought about slipping down to Seattle, but this groin pull is problematic for a breastroker. I'll take a rain check for Mt. Hood or slight chance of Austin.

Thanks everyone. Yes, stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in nerve impingement. In my case, my facet joints (the hinges of the spine) at L4/5 have enlarged due to degenerative changes. Unfortunately that's where the L5 nerve root exits the spine. I think the trick may to be to engage your abs when you swim, because that immobilizes the spine somewhat. I'm terribly weak in that area so maybe a core training program should be the first step. I wish I had found this Master's Swimming a long time ago. In the early 90's I was swimming 1500-2000 meters a day, but had to give it up when I moved to south Florida, because I couldn't find a good pool. Through here I've learned there was one right around the corner from where I lived. If it wasn't so funny it would be sad. One of life's little jokes. Seriously, you-all know to stay active. If not swimming, then something else, because your body falls apart with inactivity.

To Rich aka SwimStud, I'm not exactly sure what you are asking about the fly kick. For me the kick has always worked best when I could keep it in a relatively narrow range of amplitude and give equal emphasis to both the up and down stroke. Also, it is my kick rate that controls my arm stoke rate and not the other way around. I got into trouble with my back on the transition from my underwater kick to my first stroke. I think I allowed too much flexion trying to set up the breakout and wham, stopped in my tracks. This was probably a flaw anyway, so always concentrating on keeping the kick amplitude narrow is probably a good thing for me. I will say that when working on this with some other swimmers they can't generate the kind of tight snap in both directions that is required. That's what it feels like to me. Maybe it's just a sprinter physiology thing. To Peter, Thanks for your concern re my health. There is always that fine line between pushing it too hard or not hard enough. I tend to gravitate toward the former but I'm getting better at balancing the two. Staying injury free is always my number one swimming goal each year. I haven't always succeeded. Will you be swimming at Nationals this year, seeing that it is in your neighborhood? If yes, let's get together for a post swim drink or whatever. Rich