(Pain) Swimming is good for your spine, but it can also be toxic to your health.

Swimming is a sport that can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors, and isn't limited to any particular season. Even in the cold winter, many people flock to indoor pools to enjoy a swim. Swimming is recommended for those who regularly experience back or knee pain, as its buoyancy reduces stress on the spine and joints. However, it can be detrimental to the shoulders.

 

◇Swimming, causes of shoulder joint injuries

 

While swimming can be beneficial for spinal health, many people complain of shoulder pain afterward. This is because the frequent shoulder movements and repetitive movements put more strain on the shoulders than usual. Excessive shoulder strain without adequate stretching can lead to shoulder impingement syndrome. This condition occurs when the rotator cuff tendons (shoulders) rub against the acromion (the roof of the shoulder blade), causing inflammation. Impingement syndrome is characterized by pain felt at a specific angle and a "popping" sensation within the shoulder.

 

Director Moon Seong-cheol (orthopedic specialist) of the Joint Center at Gangnam Nanuri Hospital said, "Pain does not occur at all angles, so it is often left untreated," and added, "You must be careful because it can worsen symptoms and lead to secondary conditions such as rotator cuff tears." Other symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome include ▲pain that is worse in the evening than in the morning ▲pain when turning your hand and arm behind your back ▲a sound in the shoulder when moving your arm.

◇Shoulder impingement syndrome can be treated with arthroscopy.

 

If shoulder pain occurs after swimming, symptoms can initially be alleviated simply by resting and avoiding the painful movement. In the acute stage, cold compresses can provide relief, but if the pain persists, conservative treatment such as medication or injections is recommended. Injections involve injecting steroids and local anesthetics into the bursa to improve symptoms. If symptoms persist or the shoulder blade grows too far and interferes with daily life, surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome involves arthroscopically removing a portion of the protruding bone called acromioplasty. This procedure uses an arthroscope to reshape the bone around the acromion, widening the space beneath the acromion to prevent further impingement on the joint during shoulder movement, thereby reducing pain. Dr. Moon Seong-cheol, a director of the surgery department, stated, "If pain persists despite sufficient conservative treatment or interferes with daily life, surgery is recommended." He added, "Patient satisfaction is high because the pain is immediately relieved after surgery." He continued, "Since it is performed through arthroscopy, there is a low incidence of unnecessary tissue damage and complications, and the hospital stay is short, allowing for a quicker return to daily life."

 

Rehabilitation after surgery is crucial. Strengthening your shoulder muscles is essential to prevent recurrence. Furthermore, sufficient stretching before swimming to maximize your shoulder range of motion can reduce the risk of injury. No matter how much you strengthen your shoulder muscles, friction will inevitably occur while swimming. Therefore, it's recommended to limit swimming to 40 minutes to an hour.

 

Director Moon Seong-cheol said, "It is difficult for the general public to distinguish whether or not they have a shoulder disease based solely on the location of the pain." He added, "If your shoulder feels different than usual after exercise, it is important to receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment from a shoulder joint specialist."

 

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For joint health

I thought swimming was only good for me,

I think I need to exercise while considering this too.