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Salt Lake City Swimming Injuries and Swimming Performance
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Preventing Swimming Injuries, Recovering from Injuries and Reaching Peak Performance Levels
Swimmer's shoulder is a common phrase used to describe shoulder pain in a frequent swimmer or competitive swimmer. Swimming is a sport that relies on the shoulders and upper extremities for forward or backward propulsion. Swimming requires maximum shoulder flexibility and full range of motion for peak performance. Additionally, this sport is performed in the water which creates more resistance to movement than air does. The demands placed upon a swimmer's shoulder can lead to a wide variety of injuries in the swimmer's shoulder, the most common of which is rotator cuff tendinitis.
Swimmer's Shoulder
Upper Cross Syndrome
Swimming is not a sport where the swimmer athlete is exposed to a high degree of traumatic injuries such as the injuries typically associated with football, hockey, boxing and other contact-type sports. However, like all athletes, swimmers are susceptible to injury from their sport. A swimming athlete's body undergoes stress and it's imperative to take the appropriate steps in all areas of a swimmer's training regime to prevent injuries from happening. If or when an injury does occur, the ability to recover from the injury becomes very important.
Dr. Michael Page and his team at Page Chiropractic and Wellness Center have a long history helping swimmers prevent injuries, recover from injuries and teaching swimmers about how to reach their peak performance levels in the pool. Dr. Page is an Approved Health Care Provider of USA Swimming and has extensive experience with swimming. Please contact Dr. Page at (801) 733-8300 or send a Website Message to ask about our Special Programs for Swimmers and Swim Teams.
Swimmers many times develop a condition called Upper Cross Syndrome. Upper Cross Syndrome is a pattern of tight and weak muscles the body develops. Swimmers overuse muscle groups in their neck, shoulders and back while under utilizing muscle groups in other areas of their bodies. Over time, these imbalances can cause a variety of conditions and make it very difficult to perform proper swimming stroke mechanics and techniques. When improper stroke mechanics are used, a swimmer becomes more prone to injury and they cannot perform at their best.
How We Can Be a Valuable Member of Your Swim Team
Whether an individual swimmer or a competitive swim team, Page Chiropractic and Wellness can play a key winning role on your team. Here are just a few ways we can help:
- Education Programs on Swimming Injury Prevention and Proper Injury Treatment (Customized for athletes, coaches and parents).
- Swimming Stroke Techniques for Optimal Health and Performance.
- Swimming Nutritional Programs for Optimal Performance, Enhanced Whole Health, and a Longer Swim Career.
- Proper Spinal Alignment and Health to Increase Range of Motion, Promote Optimum Function, Resistance to Injury, Recovery and the Potential to Maximize Strength and Endurance Through Training.
- Exercise Plans Focused on Strengthening all Groups of Muscles in a Swimmer's Body.
Dr. Michael Page invites parents of swimmers, swim coaches and swimming athletes to call Page Chiropractic and Wellness at (801) 733-8300 or send Dr. Page a Website Message to learn more about our customized swimming programs. The results will speak for themselves.
Swimming Related Neck Injuries
Swimming involves repetitive motions used over and over again. The proper stroke technique based on the style of swimming is critical to prevent injury. When faulty swimming technique is used, the neck is an area of the body that will usually suffer due to its anatomy and the multitude of muscles, bones, joints, legiments and tendons that give the neck such great mobility. Each swimming style commands a different stroke technique to avoid neck injury:
- Free Style - Many swimmers will tuck their chin toward their shoulder when breathing, placng undue stress on the neck causing pain, along with arm numbness and tingling. A high head position with the eyes looking forward has also been a technique of Free Style Swimming. This offers no hydrodynamic advantages and also places a great deal of stress on the neck. The ideal position is to keep the head face down in the water looking at the bottom of the pool. This keeps a straight alignment of the body and minimizes stress on the neck.
- Breaststroke - The head and neck should be held still during the Breaststroke. The head should not be tilting back in order to breathe or to look at the end of the pool. The neck should be aligned with the back and the head should be facing the water, looking down and slightly to the front.
- Butterfly - As with the breaststroke, the neck should be aligned with the back. A strong kick and sufficient upper body strength are criticial to correct neck position and lifting the head out of the water for proper breathing.
- Back Stroke - The neck must be kept aligned with the spine and the head looking straight up. The muscles of the neck must be gradually strengthened and maintained to handle the pressure exerted on the head as the swimmer propels through the water.
Approved Health Care Provider of USA Swimming
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Swimming and Nutrition
Proper nutrition is essential to anyone, especially athletes. You will never be able to perform at your best if your body is not being provided with a constant stream of essential nutrients.
Eating healthy and proper nutrition are not about counting calories. It's about giving your body the nutrient-rich foods it needs to perform at high levels both mentally and physically. The importance of nutrtion isn't just about "WHAT" to eat, it also involves "WHEN" you eat.
Participation in sports programs like swimming, teaches athletes of all ages important lessons in life. Proper nutrition, healthy nutritional habits and taking care of their bodies are included in the life-enriching qualities an athlete can learn from a quality sports program.
Swimming Nutritional Program Elements
(1). Fats - Fat is often overlooked, but it is actually the number one nutrient to begin focusing on in a swimming nutrition program.
(2). Carbohydrates: When most swimmers think of carbohydrates for performance, they think of sugar and sugar based recovery drinks. While sugar is a quick source of energy, you will pay a price. Sugar is poor quality food that has catabolic effects on muscle and immunity.
(3). Protein: Protein is a very important nutrient. It is essential for muscle building and repair, maintains a healthy immune response and is absolutely necessary to replenish after swimming.
