How Can Swimming Injuries Be Prevented?
Whether you do it as a hobby, or for competitive meets, swimming is a great way to stay in shape. Due to your body being submerged in water, swimming is less impactful on your joints than running, or weightlifting is. However, don't forget that injuries can still take place. At United Rehab Hands On Physical Therapy, we want you to stay in the pool and remain pain-free. To learn about how you can prevent some of the most common swimming injuries, please continue reading.
Common Injuries
When swimmers are not careful, they subject themselves to some unfortunate injuries. While our team can treat them, we also know you'd rather avoid their development altogether. Examples of the injuries swimmers can face include:
Shoulder impingement (swimmer's shoulder).
Shoulder inflammation and irritation.
Neck and back pain.
Bicep tendonitis.
Rotator cuff tendonitis or tears.
Take Time To Warm-Up
In any physical activity, the first step in avoiding injuries is to take the proper amount of time to warm-up. Jumping into a pool and trying to swim at full force while your body is still stiff and cold is the perfect way to get injured. By taking the time to perform a few static and dynamic stretches before swimming, you'll be increasing the blood flow to your muscles, as well as their flexibility. Doing this allows for the optimal athletic output while negating the chances of an injury taking place.
Focus On Mechanics
Going through hours of practice focused solely on your mechanics can be a tedious process. However, there is a reason your coaches have you do this. Even the slightest deviances from the proper mechanics can lead to an injury when swimming. That is why no matter what stroke you utilize, you need to ensure you're doing it properly.
Additional Prevention Methods
There are no shortages of ways that swimming injuries can be avoided. By being careful and smart, you increase the likelihood of remaining pain and injury-free the next time you head towards the water. Below are some additional methods you can utilize to raise your chances of staying healthy:
Never swim when you are hurt or are feeling sick.
Train all of your muscle groups year-round.
Whether you are swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean, always be aware of your surroundings.
Schedule An Appointment
Even after you've done your part and worked diligently to avoid an injury, they can still take place anytime you go for a swim. Should this happen to you, our team at United Rehab Hands On Physical Therapy will be there for you. Contact us today to schedule the appointments for the care you need to get back to full strength.
