If you’ve been swimming for a long time, it’s likely that you’ve suffered from some aches and pains throughout your body. Swimming injuries are very common, but mainstream treatments for them often leave a lot to be desired
Chiropractic care offers an affordable, effective method for decreasing pain and symptoms in swimmers who have suffered injuries of many different kinds.
What are the Most Common Swimming Injuries?
Because swimming is a non-impact activity, the injuries involved are much different than those associated with sports and activities that involve running or jumping. For instance, you’re unlikely to ever sprain your ankle in the pool, or to develop a bone fracture after swimming a few laps.
However, swimmers are very likely to suffer from overuse or misuse injuries. These ailments can include any of the following:
- Rotator cuff tears.
- Impingement syndrome.
- Back and neck pain.
These injuries can be suffered by any swimmer, at any level of expertise. The extreme shoulder range of motion required with all swimming strokes places a tremendous amount of pressure on the rotator cuff. This becomes extremely problematic when swimmers have poor posture as well. We will discuss this concept further in the next section.
When it comes to back and neck pain, these issues are generally due to excessive twisting in untrained swimmers. By correcting form and strengthening the core muscles, these issues generally resolve quickly.
How Swimmers Develop Shoulder Injuries
As was indicated in the previous section, swimmers commonly experience shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears and impingement syndrome.
These issues typically develop due to a combination of two factors:
- Misaligned shoulder blades due to poor posture
- High volume of training the front shoulder muscles and low volume of training the rear shoulder muscles.
Essentially, the muscles in the front of the shoulder become irritated and inflamed from being used so much. At the same time, these muscles overpower those in the back of the shoulder, causing the shoulder blade to tilt forward. As a result, the rotator cuff tendon is often “pinched” by the misaligned shoulder blade, leading to pain, weakness, and symptoms characteristic of a rotator cuff tear.
Shoulder injuries usually take a very long time to recover from, especially those caused by excessive use. Thankfully, chiropractors are ready and willing to help these patients recover so that they can get back in the pool quickly.
Rehabilitative Chiropractic Care for Swimmers
After an injury, your chiropractor can help you address any pain, symptoms, or other issues you might be experiencing. By manipulating the spine in specific areas, your chiropractor can improve your body’s healing capabilities. In many cases, this speeds up the recovery process and allows you to start swimming again as soon as possible.
For swimmers, the thought of having to take a ton of time off due to an injury is the worst news they can imagine. Get yourself back in action fast with chiropractic care.
Preventative Chiropractic Care for Swimmers
What about preventative measures? Can chiropractors help swimmers in that way?
Absolutely!
The old adage, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, states: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Your chiropractor understands this, and she wants to make every effort she can to prevent you from ever suffering from a swimming injury.
By prepping your body for swimming with chiropractic treatments, you can experience improved range of motion, better blood flow to working areas, and a host of other amazing benefits.
If you’re seeking some help with your swimmer injuries, look no further than At Last Chiropractic, your Lithia, FL chiropractor. Book your appointment now!
