Is
Swimming Good For A Herniated Disc?
Why is it we often seem to get conflicting advice from the medical community? Remember when we learned too much fat in our diet was bad? And then we later learned, ‘no wait, fat is good’! That is ‘heart-healthy’ monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in olive oil, nut oils, and fish oils. So, the lesson to follow is ‘good things in moderation.’ And so too we now learn that swimming, which is often prescribed for individuals with certain back injuries, can in fact cause back pain, even possibly a herniated disc! And once again, moderation is key. That is, moderation with sound technique.
Olympic swimming hopeful Milorad Cavic has recently made a dramatic comeback, winning the 100 Butterfly at the European championship games after undergoing spinal surgery in 2010 for a herniated disc. He was narrowly bested by Michael Phelps in the 2008 Beijing Games and is hoping for a shot at gold in the upcoming London Games. While it hasn’t been reported whether his herniated disc was a result of rigorous training in the butterfly stroke, some elite swimmers who compete in butterfly have experienced low back pain.
Swimming, like other forms of low impact aerobic activity, can be a part of a conservative treatment plan for herniated discs in the lumbar region. In addition to physical therapy, swimming helps to strengthen the muscles supporting the spinal column and strengthen the area surrounding the injured discs. Pain is lessened, and the area is able to heal naturally, while the supporting tissues protect the discs from stress and impact. Recommended back-friendly strokes include the side-stroke and crawl as long as proper technique is followed.
However, the butterfly stroke may actually do more harm than good if you suffer with low back pain. Butterfly, mostly used in competitive swimming, requires more muscular strength than other strokes to properly execute the body’s wave-like motion and dolphin kick. The spine remains in a hyper-extended position for much of the time, while both arms move in and out of the water together, pulling the body forward. The explosive nature of the motions needed for this stroke demand a strong core, powerful glutes, legs and back. Not to mention, perfectly executed form, unlike the other three traditional swimming strokes, which are more forgiving to recreational and novice swimmers.
If you suffer with low back pain from a herniated disc, and your physician has recommended that you continue to swim during your treatment, rest assured swimming has proven beneficial to many people recovering from various back and other injuries. However, be mindful of avoiding demanding strokes like the butterfly, which may contribute to worsening your condition, and possibly lead to spinal surgery.
Why is it we often seem to get conflicting advice from the medical community? Remember when we learned too much fat in our diet was bad? And then we later learned, ‘no wait, fat is good’! That is ‘heart-healthy’ monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in olive oil, nut oils, and fish oils. So, the lesson to follow is ‘good things in moderation.’ And so too we now learn that swimming, which is often prescribed for individuals with certain back injuries, can in fact cause back pain, even possibly a herniated disc! And once again, moderation is key. That is, moderation with sound technique.
Olympic swimming hopeful Milorad Cavic has recently made a dramatic comeback, winning the 100 Butterfly at the European championship games after undergoing spinal surgery in 2010 for a herniated disc. He was narrowly bested by Michael Phelps in the 2008 Beijing Games and is hoping for a shot at gold in the upcoming London Games. While it hasn’t been reported whether his herniated disc was a result of rigorous training in the butterfly stroke, some elite swimmers who compete in butterfly have experienced low back pain.
Swimming, like other forms of low impact aerobic activity, can be a part of a conservative treatment plan for herniated discs in the lumbar region. In addition to physical therapy, swimming helps to strengthen the muscles supporting the spinal column and strengthen the area surrounding the injured discs. Pain is lessened, and the area is able to heal naturally, while the supporting tissues protect the discs from stress and impact. Recommended back-friendly strokes include the side-stroke and crawl as long as proper technique is followed.
However, the butterfly stroke may actually do more harm than good if you suffer with low back pain. Butterfly, mostly used in competitive swimming, requires more muscular strength than other strokes to properly execute the body’s wave-like motion and dolphin kick. The spine remains in a hyper-extended position for much of the time, while both arms move in and out of the water together, pulling the body forward. The explosive nature of the motions needed for this stroke demand a strong core, powerful glutes, legs and back. Not to mention, perfectly executed form, unlike the other three traditional swimming strokes, which are more forgiving to recreational and novice swimmers.
If you suffer with low back pain from a herniated disc, and your physician has recommended that you continue to swim during your treatment, rest assured swimming has proven beneficial to many people recovering from various back and other injuries. However, be mindful of avoiding demanding strokes like the butterfly, which may contribute to worsening your condition, and possibly lead to spinal surgery.
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