{"id":20758,"date":"2022-08-04T07:15:56","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T14:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciatica.com\/?p=20758"},"modified":"2024-05-23T16:48:48","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T16:48:48","slug":"is-swimming-good-for-back-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sciatica.com\/blog\/is-swimming-good-for-back-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Swimming Good for Back Pain?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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BY Justin Field, M.D.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Dr. Field is a board certified, fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon. Dr. Field has specialized training in minimally invasive spine surgery and motion sparing technologies, such as cervical and lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement, as well as non-fusion stabilization. In addition, he has extensive training in adult deformity correction and treatment.<\/div>\n
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View Bio<\/a><\/div>\n
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Swimming is an excellent exercise, and it often feels refreshing to take a dip in the water. It is also beneficial for your health and provides an effective way to relieve back pain. Keep reading this article to discover how swimming can help with back pain.<\/p>\n

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Benefits of Swimming for Back Pain<\/h2>\n
Swimming can relieve back pain by alleviating pressure on your joints, increasing back strength and more. Here are five specific benefits of swimming for back pain.<\/div>\n
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1. Reduces Pressure on Your Joints<\/h3>\n

Whenever you put an object or body in water, it will have some buoyant force that resists gravity and decreases its weight. Thus, the buoyancy of water\u00a0reduces the body weight<\/a>\u00a0the joints in your spine support. That’s why swimming and other aquatic exercises are easier on your joints than land-based exercise. Exercising in water is an ideal way to increase strength without risking joint or back pain. Relaxing in water also relieves back pain caused by sitting, standing or walking on land.<\/p>\n

2. Increases Back Strength<\/h3>\n

Swimming can strengthen the muscles that support your spine. One way swimming increases strength is by\u00a0elevating muscle myokine production<\/a>, which is a type of protein produced and released in response to muscle contractions. These proteins\u00a0regulate muscle cell proliferation and growth<\/a>. With increased muscle myokine production comes more muscle mass, improved spinal stability and reduced back pain. Water also provides more resistance than air, resulting in stronger muscles in your core and back.\u00a0<\/p>\n

3. Relieves Pain<\/h3>\n

Swimming increases\u00a0endorphin secretions in your brain<\/a>. Endorphins are hormones that promote pleasurable feelings and\u00a0naturally relieve pain<\/a>. If you’re dealing with back pain, the endorphins released from swimming can lessen it and make you feel good.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. Improves Circulation\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Research has shown\u00a0immersion in warm water improves blood flow<\/a>, which is essential for tissue healing. If your back pain relates to tissue damage, the improved circulation from swimming can accelerate the healing of those tissues and improve your back pain experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. Helps With Weight Loss or Weight Management<\/h3>\n

Obesity and excess weight are\u00a0common comorbidities of back pain<\/a>,\u00a0so maintaining a healthy weight is essential to limiting your risk of experiencing back pain. Swimming and aquatic exercise are\u00a0excellent ways to control your weight<\/a>, especially if you need to shed some pounds to reach a target.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Types of Back Pain Suitable for Swim Therapy<\/h2>\n
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1. Sciatica<\/h3>\n

Inflammation and irritation of the sciatic nerve cause sciatica. This nerve begins in your lower back, runs through your buttocks and branches down each leg. When it gets compressed or pinched from nearby joints, discs or bone spurs, pain can radiate along this nerve from your lower back down one or both legs.<\/p>\n

Just as the buoyancy of water reduces pressure on your joints, it also reduces pressure on your nerves. In this way, swimming is helpful for sciatica pain. Adding exercise into the mix can strengthen the muscles around the affected nerve without aggravating your pain.<\/p>\n

2. Degenerative Disc Disease<\/h3>\n

Degenerative disc disease is a natural condition where one or more spinal discs in between each vertebra dry out and crack. The proper function of spinal discs is to absorb shock and allow movement between vertebrae. This condition causes increased back pain as the vertebrae have less cushioning and absorb more shock than when healthy.<\/p>\n

Aquatic exercise can help with degenerative disc disease by increasing circulation to the damaged tissues, helping them stay as hydrated and flexible as possible. Swimming and aquatic exercise also strengthen supporting muscles and promote weight loss, which can help with degenerative disc disease pain by relieving pressure on your joints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Herniated Disc<\/h3>\n

A herniated disc occurs when the fluid-filled center of a spinal disc tears through the interwoven fabric-like exterior, creating a bulge or rupture in the spinal canal. The herniated disc can pinch, pressure or irritate your spinal cord nerves, causing pain and discomfort.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One study shows that\u00a0swimming can reduce inflammation and nerve pain<\/a>\u00a0caused by lumbar disc herniations. The study posits that swimming may be an effective therapy for improving herniated discs in the lumbar region.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Swimming Tips for People With Low Back Pain<\/h2>\n
The pool or lake are ideal places to go if you’re experiencing back pain. You can relax and experience pain relief or exercise without worrying about aggravating your condition. Here are some pool exercises for lower back pain.<\/div>\n