Swimming

August 24, 2010 - 9:30pm | 5 posts

vadim

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07/22/2010 - 2:12pm

Swimming

Freestyle swimming is usually recommended for people with back pain. I noticed that I habitually sway (extend my back) during swimming and it is hard for me to control that. Is this a problem? I do feel increase in pain sometimes after swimming, not sure it is related to sway. What will be your recommendation?

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August 25, 2010 - 8:54am | 1 post

Esther Gokhale

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Swimming is potentially excellent exercise because it gives your abdominal muscles a chance to strengthen by resisting the tendency to sway (especially in breast stroke) and twist (in freestyle and back stroke). It is important not to over-challenge your abs in these actions. Go slowly and deliberately so that your muscles can in fact keep your torso intact. Otherwise, your swimming is going to be part good (aerobic activity, strengthening, etc.) and part bad (compressing your discs, nerves, etc.) If you have low back soreness after a swim, you need to pay closer attention to your form.

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July 20, 2012 - 4:10pm | 1 post

(Reply to #2) #3

CerebrallyYours

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02/24/2011 - 9:40am

I'm interested in hearing more about proper swimming technique in accordance with the Gokhale Method. In particular, what would be the proper form for butterfly, and what should we do with the twisting of the body that is supposed to take place in freestyle and backstroke?

Since I've taken up swimming again I've been working on inner corset in breast stroke, which is great. I've also avoided using kickboards because I think they cause a sway I wonder if there is a way to use kickboards that would not be harmful for the spine?

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July 23, 2012 - 3:46pm | 1 post

(Reply to #3) #4

charlenehannibal

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12/15/2010 - 7:51am

Stay tuned to this months Newsletter-it's all about swimming!

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April 17, 2014 - 1:04pm | 1 post

postureguy

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03/27/2014 - 7:06am

I've experimented with this. I find that setting the core (corset) is the key to link all parts of the body. And of course, streamlining your body like a boat hull--long and sleek. Look up Total Immersion (TI) Swimming. It's a very natural way of swimming