People with lumbar disc herniation should avoid exercises with large range of motion, such as basketball and soccer. Some people who are used to exercise may wonder if swimming is beneficial for lumbar disc herniation.
Is swimming beneficial for lumbar disc herniation?
Swimming is an effective method for preventing and treating lumbar disc herniation.
To prevent lumbar disc herniation, it is important to strengthen the muscles of the lumbar spine. For those who already have lumbar disc herniation, exercising the muscles of the lumbar spine can also provide auxiliary treatment. Swimming can effectively exercise the muscles of the lumbar spine, making it helpful for preventing and treating lumbar disc herniation.
Swimming can reduce the burden on the lumbar spine.
During swimming, the muscles of the lumbar spine are exercised, which can effectively strengthen their strength. In addition, when swimming, the body is immersed in water and buoyed up by buoyancy. Whether in a supine or prone position, the burden on the lumbar spine is reduced.
Swimming can improve blood oxygen supply to the lumbar vertebrae.
Another important reason why swimming can effectively prevent and treat lumbar disc herniation is that when swimming, the body changes from a vertical plane to a horizontal plane, reducing the burden on the spine and reducing the pressure on the lumbar intervertebral discs. In addition, the stimulation of water temperature increases blood circulation, promotes metabolism, and helps improve blood oxygen supply to the lumbar region. Therefore, swimming can provide auxiliary treatment for lumbar disc herniation and prevent recurrence of old diseases.
What swimming positions should be used for lumbar disc herniation?
Breaststroke mainly relies on the muscles of the waist, abdomen, and legs, and the back muscles are used when breathing. Therefore, both the muscles of the lumbar spine and shoulders can be exercised during breaststroke, making it suitable for people with lumbar disc herniation and cervical spondylosis.
Swimming positions that should not be used for lumbar disc herniation.
Butterfly stroke is not suitable for patients with lumbar disc herniation because it mainly relies on the muscles of the waist, abdomen, and upper limbs, and the range of motion is large. Prolonged butterfly swimming can put excessive pressure on the vertebral body of the lumbar spine, which can easily cause compression fractures. Therefore, patients with lumbar disc herniation or those who experience pain in the lower back and legs should avoid butterfly swimming.
