A couple of weeks back I did a pool swim of about 3000 meters, which is long for me. The next day my lower back tightened up badly, causing some serious pain. I saw my doctor and he doesn’t think it’s anything more than a lumbar strain, a diagnosis confirmed by x-ray and MRI. He gave me some muscle relaxants and told me to take it easy for a bit. I took a week off, started feeling much better, and then did an easy run one day and an easy bike the next - still feeling better. So last night I go for an easy swim (felt perfect afterwards) and BAM this morning I am in a world of hurt again. WTF? I thought swimming was supposed to be good for the back?
I am starting some PT later this week to work it all out but I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.
Get someone competent to watch you swim. You may be swimming head-up/legs-down which will definitely screw your back up. I bet you anything your body position is causing you this grief.
Funny you should post this. I compressed a vertebrae about 2 years ago, my lower back gets real tight but it doesn’t prevent me from doing anything. Anyway, I am just getting back into training after about a 2 week layoff and did my first hard swim last night. Woke up this morning and my lower back feels like I did 100 miles in the aerobars.
Get someone competent to watch you swim. You may be swimming head-up/legs-down which will definitely screw your back up. I bet you anything your body position is causing you this grief.
I do plan to get some competent coaching – this is good advice. However, I am very meticulous about keeping my head down when I swim. I literally stare at the bottom of the pool (and sides when I rotate) so much that I sometimes forget myself and nearly crash into the wall. I have been making a concerted effort to “lengthen my vessel” lately by reaching for forward with my stroking arm. Maybe I am overdoing it.
Your doc actually ordered an MRI that quickly? Were you having pain radiating down your legs or significant numbness/tingling or weakness? Seems rather premature for an MRI, but at any rate, at least it was negative.
If it’s improving enough that you are able to run and ride a week later, that’s definitely a good sign. Getting to PT is a good call. Hopefully they will be able to get you back in the water sooner rather than later.
Your doc actually ordered an MRI that quickly? Were you having pain radiating down your legs or significant numbness/tingling or weakness? Seems rather premature for an MRI, but at any rate, at least it was negative.
If it’s improving enough that you are able to run and ride a week later, that’s definitely a good sign. Getting to PT is a good call. Hopefully they will be able to get you back in the water sooner rather than later.
I have had some problems in the past (years ago) and always minor back pain (who doesn’t?), so I basically begged to get the MRI done just to rule out any major damage. He acquiesced.
Looking forward to the PT later this week. Just want to put this to bed.