Swimming and Preventing Shoulder Injuries

Swimming is one of the more common low-impact fitness activities. Pain in the shoulder can become common in swimmers due to overuse. The shoulder is an inherently unstable joint, making muscle function critical for maintaining stability, proper motion, and painless activity. The repetitive overhead motion of the swimming stroke can lead to overuse injuries due to fatigue and failure to perform proper technique. The more common overuse injuries include impingement, tendinitis, and instability. These injuries make it painful to continue the overhead motion with swimming and may also effect other overhead activities of daily living.

Ways to prevent injury:

• Using a good stroke technique.

• Limiting the repetitive strokes that cause the overuse injury. (Usually the overhead motion).

• If injured, doing other forms of training/exercise.

• Incorporating rest times/days to recover.

• Performing strengthening exercises for your shoulders (including your rotator cuff, scapular, and upper back muscles). It is also important to strengthen your core, lower back and hips.

For some strengthening exercises to prevent shoulder injury, please go to our website at www.SleepyHollowPT.com

If you are experiencing shoulder pain or if you have any questions about preventing injury, please call one of our locations:
Hawthorne (914) 631-6969
Sleepy Hollow (914) 631-8100
Yonkers (914) 423-3750