Forearm Problem

Have any of you experienced forearm discomfort/tension/fatigue while swimming freestyle? My LEFT forearm gets really tension/fatigue almost when swimming freestyle but nothing else. No problem on the right side at all. The left forearm also feels this way when typing on a computer(like now) Any suggestions for a remedy? It makes swimming anything past a 200 really difficultl I have it too. Too much mouse and typing. I have experienced some improvement with ice (every day before and after swimming). Another thing I have tried recently is a magnet bracelet. Crazy, either the ice is working or the magnet is. I'm glad you brought it up as I have been looking for some good stretches.

Try some of these stretches: www.health.com/.../0,,zm2290,00.html I also like the "prayer stretch" catalog.nucleusinc.com/generateexhibit.php It helps to do these throughout the day. I hope these help you!

It makes swimming anything past a 200 really difficultl Talk about dangling the carrot.

Yeah but a softball that big and moving that slow is really hard to resist. But, on a more serious note: are you leaning on that arm too much when you pull on the left side? Sounds like you might be.

Wookie, Are you left-handed? If so, are you on the computer much more than normal? I can definitely notice a tension difference between my forearms after extended work on the computer because of the extra strain put on the arm using the mouse. It hasn't reached pain, but I do notice it in the pool.

Do you tense your left hand when you swim or keep it relaxed?

Yes. In my case, generalized forearm tension and fatigue was a precursor to serious elbow pain. I am all better now but my advice is not to ignore it the way I did. Try some of these stretches: www.health.com/.../0,,zm2290,00.html I agree that stretching is very helpful. Another way to do the type of stretch shown in the link is to stand at arm's length from the wall. To stretch the wrist flexors, which are your problem muscles, rotate your arm externally in the shoulder and put your palm against the wall with your fingers pointing down. To stretch the wrist extensors, put the back of your hand against the wall. Somehow I find that stretching this way is less strain on the wrist itself than doing it by pulling on one hand with the other. I also started using a stretch cord to resist moving my hand through its full extended-to-flexed range of motion. A few sets of those every day just like a few sets of RC exercises seems to have helped too.

Thanks! I will give these a try.

Geek... I am being serious on this one.

Yeah but a softball that big and moving that slow is really hard to resist. But, on a more serious note: are you leaning on that arm too much when you pull on the left side? Sounds like you might be. Don't know but I will try to notice if I am or am not next time I swim.