I've been swimming 3 times a week, my mid back is hurting now?

Question

I'm wondering if this is common when you start swimming?

I usually, do the crawl, backstroke and a little of breaststroke.

If my back hurting is due to swimming, does anyone have anything I can do, so I can swim and not be hurting.

Answer 1

Swimming should not be stressful on your back. Without seeing how you are swimming, it is hard to determine the cause. I would ask a swim coach or a knowledgeable friend to watch you swim and see if there is anything with your stroke that may be causing the pain. Be careful about asking non-coaches, sometimes they think they know it all, but can be very wrong.

Sometimes your back can hurt when you are swimming laps and either to wall turns (grab the wall with one hand and twist your body around to turn), or are learning how to do flip turns. Some stretching and practice will help the flip turns, for the wall turns, simply be aware if you are twisting too much.

Good luck and keep at it!

Answer 2

you should make sure to check your form to see if you are swimming right. You might be arching your back up too much in backstroke or sinking it in front crawl. Try to keep your back straight and in backstroke keep your head up, that will actually help your back immensely. Also make sure that you stretch before swimming, especially your back as that is what hurts. If you want to strengthen that muscle then try reverse crunches. Those are when you lie on your belly, bring your hands to your shoulders (palms down), and lift your torso off the ground, keeping your hands from touching the ground while doing it. That is more for your lower back but it should still help.

Answer 3

Swimming is great exercise for your back. That is likely why it is "hurting".

You need to do some stretches to recover. Lay on your back on the floor. No pillow. Lift your knees to your chest and squeeze them with both arms and hold for 1 minute.

Now rotate both knees to the left until they touch the floor (leave your shoulders flat on the floor placing your arms on the floor at right angles to your body - one to each side). Hold for 1 minute ... Now swap sides.

Repeat three or four times.

Because it is likely to be muscular you should be able to work through it as it is caused by tightening.. and the stretchin should provide relief. If not.. see a physio.

You coul be putting extra strain on your back if you are swimming in poor form. i.e. head held high, arching your spine like in waterpolo ... Have someone who knows check out your stroke if you don't have much experience. Better still... join a squad. It's more disciplined.

Answer 4

i don't think it should hurt your back make sure you are streaching out before you swim i hurt my sholder last week and it stinks but any ways also when you start out you do get sore so i recomend advil and ice on and off for 15 min. also just keep swimming because if really helps in the long run!!!

Answer 5

swimming will cause some back stress it common specifically if your new to it just take some aspirin and don't work to hard. the pain will go away if it does not you need to see the doctor because it is not swimming related.

Answer 6

maybe you need time until you get used to it
i have back problems and the docter took me to swim.so when i swim it hurts in that exact place of my back