Summer is here, so it’s time to cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool. Whether swimming for recreation or exercise, being in the water is a great way to keep cool during summer heat and work in some extra activity. However, while swimming may be an excellent, low-impact activity, those who hit the pool regularly should know that swimming can cause injuries to bones, muscles, and joints.
Knowing which injuries affect swimmers’ bones, muscles, and joints can help you protect yourself during a summer packed with water activities.
Common Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries in Swimmers
Swimming is generally a low-impact sport. However, swimmers are prone to repetitive stress on specific body parts. Over time, repetitive motions can lead to overuse injuries affecting the bones, joints, and muscles.
Some of the most common bone, muscle, and joint injuries that can impact swimmers include:
- Stress fractures – While more common in high-impact sports, stress fractures are still a concern for swimmers, particularly fractures of the ribs or lower back, due to poor breathing techniques or strokes like the butterfly or backstroke.
- Bone spurs – Long-term overuse can result in bone spurs or bony growths, particularly in the shoulder.
- Swimmer’s shoulder – A painful repetitive motion or overuse injury associated with the shoulder joint or rotator cuff.
- Breaststroker’s Knee – The repetitive kicking motions involved in the breaststroke can cause issues with the medial collateral ligament and the knee joint.
Other injuries associated with swimming include:
- Tendonitis
- Lower back strain
- Muscle sprains/strains
- Cartilage tears
- Shoulder and hip impingement
Most swimming injuries are caused by overuse or repetitive motions. However, some injuries involve improper swimming technique, too-intense training, or failing to factor recovery days into a training schedule. Focusing on proper technique and body alignment, strength training, and addressing discomfort before it turns into pain can help prevent serious swimming injuries. For those who only swim during summer months or don’t train year-round, a refresher course can provide a good reminder on proper swimming techniques. Proper training can improve stroke skills and also help prevent injuries caused by twisting, turning, or improper breathing techniques. Adequate warm-ups and cool-downs can also help get muscles and soft tissues ready for activity, helping to prevent injuries.
Treatment Options for Swimming Injuries
A serious swimming injury can set back your training or ruin your summer plans. However, treatment options are available that can help alleviate pain and boost recovery so you can get back into the water.
Which treatment option works for you depends on the nature and severity of your injury. As soon as you feel pain or discomfort, you must seek medical attention to help prevent the injury from worsening or causing significant damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. A medical practitioner can evaluate the injury and find the cause of your pain before suggesting therapies that can address your specific needs.
Some of the therapies that may help address swimming injuries include:
- Acupuncture
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP therapy)
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF therapy)
- Prolotherapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Personalized physical therapy programs
These options can help build strength and mobility, alleviate pain, decrease inflammation, and promote healing. PRP and prolotherapy are particularly helpful in boosting the body’s natural healing ability to address pain and damage in tendons and ligaments. Prolotherapy, in particular, is a regenerative medical technique that stimulates tissue repair and may help get swimmers back in pool-ready condition.
Get Back into the Water with Help from Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine
A swimming-related injury can derail your entire summer, causing pain, discomfort, and loss of mobility and functionality. Don’t try to push past the pain. Instead, contact the medical team at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, who can evaluate your condition and find treatment options that will get you back on the road to recovery and in swimming form.
Contact our office today and schedule an appointment so you can get back to enjoying your time in the water. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we take a whole-person approach and work with you to find personalized solutions to your issues.