Three Reasons Why Osteopaths Recommend Swimming To Stay Healthy

28 Jun Three Reasons Why Osteopaths Recommend Swimming To Stay Healthy

1. It is great for cardiovascular health and fitness

Not only is swimming great for heart and lung health, it is one of the few types of exercise which will elevate the heart rate without putting significant amount stress on the joints. Studies have shown that swimming regularly may help reduce high blood pressure, improve arterial blood flow and help developing a strong vascular system.

Swimming is also a great sport for young asthma patients as it is can help improve respiratory function. However, patients who do experience respiratory distress should try to swim in outdoor pools or in well-ventilated indoor pool areas. This is because a high concentration of chlorine can irritate the airways.

Osteopaths encourage patients to swim to improve respiratory function and increase blood flow through the body. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and promote injuries to heal at a quicker rate, making it a great adjunct to osteopathic treatment.

2. It’s a fantastic way to get back to exercise after an injury

When in water the body’s weight is supported, making swimming great for early mobilisation after an injury. Exercising in a heated pool will help relieve muscle tightness, decrease inflammation, ease joint stiffness and reduce the pain experienced. So, if possible, try to get laps done in a heated pool, such as a hydrotherapy pool.

Hydrotherapy pools are ideal for anyone getting back into exercise after an injury. This is because they are kept at a constant temperature of 34 degrees and have wide steps making it easy to get in and out of the water comfortably.

Studies have shown that aquatic exercise is beneficial for many common pain conditions and injuries, even chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis. This is because swimming is an all-body workout with very little impact on the joints. The buoyancy of water can also help develop muscle strength, improve coordination and balance, and increase functionality. This can help to speed up recovery and get patients back to their normal daily routine as soon as possible.

For more information on the type of exercise that you should be doing in the water, speak to your osteopath. They may be able to provide you with an aquatic-based exercise programme that is tailored to your age, diagnosis, fitness level and
overall health.

3. It can be used to improve your mental health

Regular swimming has shown to be highly beneficial to people with mental health concerns or those experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety. Because swimming is
a workout that requires the use of all the major muscle groups in the body, it triggers
a release of serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone), therefore helping to improve
overall mood.

Reducing stress levels can help to ease any pain that you may experience, especially chronic pain, as high levels of stress are linked to increased inflammation levels.

Because swimming forces you into a calm, relaxed state of mind, it can help to decrease pain and stiffness throughout the body, therefore improving a patient’s quality of sleep. This in turn promotes the body’s natural healing process.

Osteopathy is a holistic approach to treating musculoskeletal ailments. It can be used to diagnose, treat and prevent any MSK condition. Osteopathy is a complementary form of treatment that can be used alongside other forms of treatment such as physiotherapy and instruction given by the doctor. At OsteoVision, our musculoskeletal specialists are trained to treat a wide range of conditions. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your symptoms, would like to book an appointment, or require more information about your injury.

Call: 03303 904 300
Email: info@osteovision.life
You can also book an appointment online at www.osteovision.life