I posted this same question on the workout section, so excuse the duplication, but I wanted to get the consensus of opinion from you swimmers on whether swimming is contradicted in cases of lumbar stenosis. The literature is a bit equivocal, and my own experience is conflicting, but it could also be that I'm just horendously out of shape (close to a decade of inactivity). So if anyone knows the answer to this question, please let me know. Thanks.
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,
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
