If you struggle with back pain, you are not alone. In the United States, more than 80 percent of adults have had lower back pain at some point in their life. That’s a staggering number of people who have had to struggle with this condition. Although many people take over-the-counter pain medication to help deal with this painful symptom, that’s not the only solution. Many are turning to activities like swimming to relieve back pain. But does it work?
Studies show that aquatic exercises, including swimming, are indeed some of the most useful activities to relieve lower back pain.
How Does Swimming Ease Back Pain
When a patient struggles with lower back pain, the temptation may be to rest and avoid exercise altogether. However, that’s one of the worst things you can do. Too much rest can cause the muscles that support the lower back to atrophy. When these muscles weaken, they cannot stabilize the spine properly, which causes the patient’s condition to worsen. For that reason, experts agree that performing strengthening exercises for these muscles is essential for spinal health.
Exercises performed on land put a lot of strain on the spine. Activities in the water, like swimming, however, allow patients with lower back pain to strengthen the muscles that support the spine without the stress. The buoyancy of the water takes the pressure off the spine and joints.
The Benefits of Swimming for Back Pain
From early childhood, most people love the idea of spending time in the pool. As it turns out, swimming is an incredibly beneficial form of exercise, especially if you struggle with lower back pain. Some of the benefits you’ll experience from swimming include:
- Relaxes Your Nervous System: Tense muscles are sometimes what causes back pain to develop, or they can aggravate spinal conditions, which can cause increased pain. Swimming releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones, which relax your nervous system as well as tense muscles.
- Relieves Pressure on Joints: When you swim, much of your body is buoyant, so the water supports it. This puts much less pressure on your joints than other forms of exercise.
- Builds Muscle to Support Spine: Exercising in water supports your joints and spine, and it also increases resistance. Swimming engages muscles that you don’t always use, particularly those needed to improve your spine’s stability.
Swimming Exercises for Back Pain Relief
It’s always a good idea to check with your physician before engaging in any exercise, especially if you’re unfamiliar with them. When you meet with the team at the International Spine Institute, we can determine if you are an excellent candidate to participate in swimming exercises. If so, here are some swimming exercises that could help bring back pain relief:
- Walking: Although technically not swimming, walking around the pool still allows you to reap benefits for your back pain. The resistance builds up your muscles, especially if you swing your arms while walking.
- Water Aerobics: Aerobics in the water is perfect for working on the cardio aspect needed to build muscle strength. It works a variety of muscles while at the same time, building your flexibility.
- Swimming Laps: If you’re not a swimmer, it’s essential to start slow when swimming laps, perhaps only twice a week at first. All the different types of strokes work a variety of muscles in your hips, chest, and back. And you can always begin with treading water if you’re not comfortable with any particular stroke. Swim coaches can give you tips on the proper technique, so you don’t hurt your back through an improper form.
Contact International Spine Institute for More Information
At the International Spine Institute, our primary objective is to get you the treatment you need to help manage and alleviate your back pain. If swimming and other home treatments aren’t relieving your lower back pain, then contact us today for more information about our least invasive spine procedures, including endoscopic spine surgery & regenerative stem cell injections.
