Swimming and arthritis?

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

orca1946 — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 04:29:40 GMT

And now with a harder work out in the gym, my morton's neroma is acting up again. I have tried the 10 shots to kill the nerve and a slight cut to open the tendons around it, but when I push hard getting ready for state & nats it starts to hurt again.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Nancy H. — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 10:01:05 GMT

I have mild arthritis in pretty much my entire body--getting up in the morning, I feel a bit like the Tin Woodman. But swimming definitely helps keep me loose and supple. I also try to lift weights at least twice a week and do some stretching. I don't overdo anything, but I can feel it in my body if I haven't been able to exercise for a week. Normally I commute into work via public transportation, which adds about a mile of walking to my daily routine, but this winter has brought our transit system in Boston almost to a standstill. As a result, I've been driving in with a co-worker. I can feel the difference--my joints are more creaky, and it takes me longer to loosen up. I'm looking forward to getting back into my normal commuting schedule so I can do that walking again. Also, my clothes feel tighter now, which I'm not happy about. : / Almost everyone I know who doesn't exercise on a regular basis has some form of chronic pain; those of us who exercise seem to have a lot less of it. This is admittedly a very non-scientific survey of a small handful of people, so take that with a grain of salt.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Iwannafly — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 08:58:26 GMT

I have arthritis in my knees and hands, I can't say swimming regularly prevented the onset, but I can say it nicely ameliorates the symptoms. Nice! I've not seen 'ameliorates' before in the USMS forum. :-)

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

orca1946 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 11:01:57 GMT

The support water gives would be beneficial in keeping weight off those sore joints.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 09:37:25 GMT

I believe in many cases that swimming is beneficial for some joint problems. The obvious thing is that it is a non weight bearing exercise meaning it doesn't impact on the joints directly. Also, swimming can help lessen the effect of arthritis because the muscles surrounding the joint are strengthened, removing some of the strain from the joints.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:31:26 GMT

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:56:43 GMT

I believe swimming is good for people with arthritis (though there seems to be saying that people with rheumatoid arthritis should avoid swimming?) . I wonder if it helps prevent it? Are lifelong swimmers less likely to develop arthritis in old age? I checked our research databases, and found lots of studies showing benefits like pain relief, but no direct research tracking the prevalence of arthritis among swimmers v. non-swimmers. That doesn't mean it's not out there -- but if it is, we just don't happen to have it. (I do remember recent research, tho, showing that swimmers live longer than runners.) However, according to Chicago Sports Medicine, strengthening ligaments and connective tissue does reduce the incidence of osteoarthritis, so you might expect swimmers to be better than sedentary folks on that count, but papers on swimmer's knee show that we can actually weaken the medial collateral ligament by repeated stretching during kicking, especially in breaststroke. Here's an interesting article linking heavy workouts with arthritis in middle-aged men and women, but it notes: Study leader Dr Christoph Stehling, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco said: "Our data suggest that people with higher physical activity levels may be at greater risk for developing knee abnormalities and, thus, at higher risk for developing osteoarthritis. "This study and previous studies by our group suggest that high impact, weight-bearing physical activity, such as running and jumping, may be worse for cartilage health. "Conversely, low-impact activities, such as swimming and cycling, may protect diseased cartilage and prevent healthy cartilage from developing disease."

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:35:44 GMT

I have no idea if cold water can make arthritis worse or if it can cause it. I suppose over use of a joint could cause osteo arthritis, but not RA. I believe RA is an autoimmune disorder. Some folks actually find that cold relieves some arthritis pain while others prefer heat. Lainey

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:06:40 GMT

My rheumatologist is all for swimming. He just tells me to "respect the pain". Since everyday is a battle with RA, I adjust my workouts to the amount of pain and stiffness I have in any particular joint. Yeah, from what I'm reading, I think we have to be mindful of the various meanings of "swimming" or "exercise". I would think that the kind of swimming that goes into training for competition might not be advisable for many OA or RA sufferers. For mild cases, a fairly high level of fitness swimming might be a good thing, but for severe cases you might want to limit it to hydro-fitness in warmer water. Here's a nice overview from the Arthritis Foundation.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:44:36 GMT

Btw, I can't find any evidence that swimming is bad for rheumatoid arthritis, and the PA Dept of Health cites a study from the Johns Hopkins U. Division of Rheumatology that swimming "is effective in reducing joint swelling and pain" for folks with RA. My rheumatologist is all for swimming. He just tells me to "respect the pain". Since everyday is a battle with RA, I adjust my workouts to the amount of pain and stiffness I have in any particular joint.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:05:46 GMT

Oh, and I can sometimes predict earthquakes!! That's interesting and very useful, seeing you are in CA :) Swimming in cold water makes my elbows HURT. That's what I was thinking about. I heard some say cold water is not good for arthritis; I wonder if it just makes it painful, or also worsens the condition. And I wonder whether frequently swimming in cold water could cause arthritis??? :confused: Lainey - Have you ever tried a neoprene sleeve? Though you were talking about laptops ;)

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:51:22 GMT

About 14 years ago I broke both of my arms at my elbows. Looking at x-rays you can see wires, screws and what seems to be a pulley in each arm. As a result of the break I don't have full range of motion in either arm, and I've developed arthritis in both elbows. Swimming in cold water makes my elbows HURT. Sometimes the cold water is so painful I feel a little quesie. Water temp of 80 is about as 'cool' as I can tolerate before I'm in pain. Yes, swimming helps keep my achie breakie gimp arms from becoming stiffer. And yes, I have to respect the pain as well. If I do really long workouts, or a lot of pull sets I will pay for it... can usually feel the consequences before I get out of the pool. Lainey

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:26:58 GMT

Thank you, Deep. It has never dawned on me to try a neoprene sleeve. I will definately look into that. If it keeps the elbows warm and from aching then it will be worth a wonky stroke... like it isn't already from the permanently bent arms! Thanks again! Lainey

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:58:32 GMT

Lainey - Have you ever tried a neoprene sleeve? I've used one on my leg with some success when the arthritis has been particularly bad. I imagine it can make your stroke a little wonky but might be worth a try.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:29:58 GMT

I have arthritis in my knees and hands, I can't say swimming regularly prevented the onset, but I can say it nicely ameliorates the symptoms.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

tjrpatt — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:42:53 GMT

I have arthritis in my knees. If I am out of the water for six months, get back in, I will have inflamatory issues for a week or so. Overall, it doesn't bother me that much. But, I will have my inflammed episodes here and there.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

orca1946 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:20:04 GMT

To keep joints & muscles moving is the goal of all of us.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:44:31 GMT

I, too, have lost most of the range of motion in most, if not all, of my joints due to RA. Swimming allows me to keep and utilize what range I have left. Also, I can only stretch when I'm in the pool. I use the resistance of the water to stretch out legs, etc without overstretching or locking up my joints. Even on days when my RA is flaring, I will get a good, slow-paced workout in and feel better for the rest of the day.

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:25:28 GMT

I have never had a problem swimming in warm or cold water. My regular pool usually runs about 72-75 degrees. I also never had a problem surfing in January either, even though I wore a wetsuit. For some reason, water temps never bothered my RA. I can, however, predict when a storm is coming in as my joints are very sensitive to air pressure changes!! Oh, and I can sometimes predict earthquakes!!

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:00:49 GMT

Sorry to know that you had arthritis at such a young age, but it's nice to know swimming helped so much! I seem to have heard that it's important you swim in warm, not cold, water?

RE: Swimming and arthritis?

Former Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:36:32 GMT

I feel swimming is very beneficial for people with arthritis. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 15 years (I am 30yo). I started swimming at 18 which was 3 years after my diagnosis. I still swim to this day doing Masters workouts. I usually wake up in the morning very stiff and in a lot of pain. After I get going, I hit the pool and my joints feel SO much better. But, having arthritis means I have to "respect the pain" and don't overdue my joints. Swimming is the only exercise I get, as I cannot run on a treadmill, ride a bike, or use the free weights....they are just too hard on my joints. :drown: