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Swimming with Disc Pain in the Neck

Swimming is one of the best low-impact cardiovascular exercises, and it often is prescribed by a physical therapist or athletic trainer as part of a course of conservative treatment when a patient suffers from herniated or bulging disc pain in the neck. However, most doctors advise against strenuous exercise, even swimming, for those who have chronic neck pain that has not been properly diagnosed.

If you are an active recreational or competitive swimmer, it’s important to remain aware of the potential risks to the health of your cervical (upper) spine. The twisting and turning motion used in the water can place excess stress on the intervertebral discs when strokes are performed incorrectly. Maintaining proper physical fitness through weight training and other body maintenance exercises is the most important factor in avoiding injury. Here are a few additional tips on how to avoid a serious neck injury while swimming the standard crawl stroke:

• Don’t lift your head forward or up when breathing; turn it to the side, following your body’s long axis
• Don’t over-rotate the neck when breathing – no more than 45 degrees
• Don’t tuck your chin into your shoulder when breathing
• Turn your body correctly when breathing in order to avoid potential neck strain
• Practice bi-lateral breathing; breathing on only the right or left places too much strain on that side

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Head, neck and shoulder stability are key to preventing upper body injuries in the water, whether performing freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke or executing flip turns. If you do develop neck pain that you suspect might be more serious than routine muscle soreness, stay out of the water until you’ve seen your doctor.

Should the source of disc pain in your neck be diagnosed as a herniation, physical therapy and pain medication usually can be used to manage the symptoms until the condition improves. If your doctor suggests surgery as an option, contact Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn how a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using gentle, endoscopic techniques can help you rediscover a life without pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.