JUMP IN THE POOL!

JUMP IN THE POOL!

It's summertime and the heat has set in! It's the perfect time to jump in the pool!  A pool can serve so many benefits to your body.

For those struggling with low back pain, the pool can offer you buoyancy. The deeper you go in the water, the more you unweight the joints and allow for some pressure relief along the spine. The warm water often relaxes the muscles and allows for less pain and spasm as well. For those who have pain in weight bearing positions (standing, walking, etc), the pool can allow you to get back to walking or exercise while reducing the impact through the hips, knees and ankles. This could apply to someone with hip or knee osteoarthritis, someone trying to begin a weight loss program, or someone with plantar fasciitis. Swimming can be a great way to strengthen core muscles and build both muscular and cardiovascular endurance! Pool exercises can be great after surgery to begin more activity, but be sure your incision is fully closed to decrease any risk of infection

Some ideas to try in the water include:

-Water walking (front, sideways, and backward walking)

-Water Jogging

-Standing Leg raises to the front, side and back

-Standing Marching

-Wall push ups

-Arm Circles forward and backward

-Noodle hangs with flutter kicks or knee curl ups for the abdominals

-Stretching (all your usual land stretches can be done in the water for a more gentle and tolerable stretch!)

-Using tools like a kick board, swim fins and water weights to increase the challenge

These are just a few examples, and there are many more. It can also be great to try different swim strokes and tread water. So… hop in the pool and see if you can find a new way to exercise that is both enjoyable and less painful! As always, check with your doctor prior to any new exercise routine to ensure your safety. We have physical therapists and board-certified physicians available to treat your muscle, bone, and joint conditions. We want to help you get back to the activities you love. Visit mmidocs.com/ or call 301-694-8311 today to learn more.