Swimming is the second most popular sport in the United States, and for good reason! The benefits of swimming and its positive effect on your health are countless. Some of these benefits include weight loss, decreased risk of heart disease, improved strength and flexibility, and even its ability to act as a mood enhancer. With all of these great benefits, it’s no wonder swimming is commonly used as a source of rehabilitation for many injuries. It is often used to treat patients suffering from arthritis, back injuries, knee injuries, and those suffering from chronic pain.
If you suffer from arthritis or other chronic pain, swimming can be a great exercise because it provides resistance to make your muscles work harder, but it is gentle on your joints. Also, you are more buoyant in water which allows you to move stiff joints more easily. In addition, this buoyancy allows your body to move more freely and work muscles in a different way. Since the water supports the weight of your body, you can get an aerobic workout with very low impact on your joints.
Swimming can also be used to relieve back injuries as well. Unlike running or other types of aerobic exercise, there is almost no impact on your spine while swimming. As a result, you can work the muscles in your back without putting a great deal of strain on the area. Swimming provides a great way to work your core muscles which will help to relieve some of the pressure on your back. In much the same way, swimming can be used to treat knee injuries as well. Again, the low impact on your joints makes swimming ideal for those with knee pain.
Pool therapy is highly recommended for a variety of different injuries. It can help to strengthen and improve your muscles with little or no pressure on your body. Whether you are looking for a way to rehabilitate after an injury or to provide relief for osteoarthritis, swimming can be very beneficial. Unlike other forms of exercise, swimming can be done well into your senior years. This makes it an ideal form of therapy for patients of any age. Not only is swimming ideal for rehabilitation, but it is also an excellent way to keep your body in shape at any time. Swimming is an excellent sport that can provide numerous benefits for you and you health!
