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.
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.
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.
