Rehabilitation in the pool helps with many ailments. Swimming improves form, relieves muscle and joint pain, corrects postural defects and strengthens the heart. It is also a proven way of combating stress. In addition, it is a sport that activates the intervertebral joints, which are responsible for the cushioning and mobility of the entire skeleton. Thanks to rehabilitation in water, the spine becomes more mobile.
Swimming and its benefits
Swimming prevents and helps correct any overload or faulty posture. This form of activity is mainly recommended for people with back and joint problems and a sedentary lifestyle. Swimming in the pool helps to relax the skeletal muscles and relieve strain on the musculoskeletal system. They reduce existing strain by relieving muscle tension. This results in less discomfort.
For those who shy away from sport, it is a great advantage that exercises that would be heavy and painful on land can be performed without difficulty in water. Although swimming and the exercises performed in water are strength exercises due to the resistance of the water, at the same time, the buoyancy of the water means that the perceived weight of the body is up to 10 times less than the actual weight.
Swimming activates the muscles of the shoulder girdle, back, abdomen, legs, chest and the stabilising muscles of the thoracic and lumbar spine. During swimming, they release tension accumulated in them due to stress or being in one position. In turn, the intervertebral discs then move away from each other, thus bringing relief.
Swimming also plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, as the muscles squeezing and loading the bones increases their density. By forcing the muscles to work, swimming also regulates blood sugar levels.
Swimming pool rehabilitation: relieves stress on the joints and strengthens the heart. In addition, the hydrostatic pressure in the water strengthens the respiratory system and improves cardiovascular function. As an aerobic exercise, swimming increases the heart rate and accelerates breathing. It also stimulates the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and improves the efficiency of the heart.
When moving in water, the oxygen supply to the tissues also increases. Therefore, the heart works more economically: it contracts less frequently and pumps more blood into the arteries. As the vessels inside the body dilate, the risk of ischaemic heart disease as well as varicose veins decreases. It is for this reason that swimming is highly recommended for people after a heart attack.
Swimming style vs. specific ailments.
However, before you choose the swimming style that is best for you, it is helpful to know what ailments it helps. For this reason, it is best that you seek advice from a physiotherapist. You will find out which way of moving in the water will be best for your particular condition.
- Dorsal kraul. Dorsal swimming is the best style for the spine. It relaxes the muscles without causing unfavourable bending. It corrects postural defects: round back, bowed knees, and flat feet.
- The classic style, or the popular covered frog, does not strain any of the spinal muscles. It models the shoulders, buttocks, thighs and can be used to correct postural defects in the lumbar region such as scoliosis and lumbar discopathy.
- Kraul is a recommended style for lumbar spine complaints that are not accompanied by thoracic changes, as well as for the correction of knee valgus or flat feet.
- Dolphin is a difficult and technically complex style. It is suitable for very athletic, strong and healthy people. However, dolphin swimming is not used in rehabilitation.
Swimming technique is also important. This is because an incorrect one can cause more pain.
What should be kept in mind when rehabilitating with swimming?
Training in the pool is beneficial if done at least three times a week for half an hour at a time. To be effective, however, it should be preceded by a warm-up performed either before entering the pool or in the water.
On the other hand, you should do some stretching exercises after getting out of the pool. After exercise, muscles, joint capsules and fascias shrink, hence you need to stretch them to avoid contractures.
