I often get patients coming to me for the treatment and management of swimming injuries at my Bristol Osteopathic clinic, particularly as we move into warmer weather.
I'm a massive fan of swimming, both recreationally with my family as well as (somewhat) competitively in triathlons: it's fun and fulfilling as well as being healthy. I also love an invigorating dip in some cold water through the Winter months.
Many of my patients use swimming for health and well-being purposes, but I also treat patients who have sustained swimming injuries in Bristol.
What are the health benefits of swimming?
Swimming is low-impact, fun and kind on the body compared to some other forms of exercise.
There’s not the impact of running and there’s also that sense of relief from the constant downward draw of gravity when exercising in water.
Are swimming injuries common?
Swimming injuries are not that common. Injuries that prevent people from swimming are more so, but swimming as a mode of rehabilitation can also be a really powerful tool.
As much as I love swimming in pools, lap training, and working on my swimming strokes, I also love the outdoors and you can’t beat open-water swimming.
Injuries of any kind are sometimes an opportunity.
I have patients who are injured runners, triathletes, rugby players, and gardeners.
They can often still get in the water and either swim or move pain-free and perhaps even do aqua-aerobic exercise.
As a year-round swimmer I get a double buzz - the fantastic feeling of swimming in Nature, and the incredible surge of well-being and elation you get from immersing oneself into cold water.
How can I avoid swimming injuries in Bristol?
- Swim training should be properly planned so over-training doesn’t occur.
- Make sure your swimming technique is solid. Most swimming injuries are related to poor technique, so it is always worth a couple of lessons.
- Most commonly I see shoulder injuries usually due to poor flexibility or shoulder stability. This is usually combined with less-than-ideal swimming technique and often a dormant pre-existing problem.
- Don’t go out of your comfort zone, especially when open water swimming.
- If you go open water swimming, don’t swim alone and know the type of water in which you are swimming. be aware of currents, tide times and other related potential hazards.
- Beware of the cold and have a post-swim warm-up routine - including coffee and cake!
- Hydration and nutrition: as with all other sporting activities, we sweat (especially in a warm pool). If you are doing a training session then rehydrate, replace electrolytes and re-fuel to keep the body healthy and reduce the chance of sustaining swimming injuries.
If an injury is holding you back from swimming (or any other activity) then I can help you along the path to recovery, and maybe incorporate swimming or aqua-exercise on that journey.
To book in with me at my Henleaze osteopathic clinic to treat a swimming injury in Bristol, please visit here.