Swimming relieves stress, rejuvenates muscles
Jessica Long, a Paralympic swimmer for Team USA, found life in the water. At 12, she had already won three gold medals for swimming. Even though she has no legs to assist her in the water, that hasn’t stopped her, just as it shouldn’t stop anyone living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) or other life altering illness. She is currently the world-record holder in 15 events for swimming.
While you may not aspire to be an Olympic swimmer like Jessica, there are a lot of great benefits to swimming for those who are living with and overcoming the obstacles of a disability.
Aquatic activity can improve anything from cardiovascular and respiratory health to muscle strength and range of motion. In addition to physical benefits, swimming can relieve stress and help prevent depression, something those with spinal cord injury (SCI) often battle. Swimming relieves stress by providing you with a physical outlet for releasing tension. It also helps prevent depression primarily through goal setting and continuous physical activity.
Generally, swimming reduces the negative effects gravity has on your body. It increases circulation and reduces swelling. Additionally, warm water helps alleviate soreness and muscle spasms at temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees. Plus, there are all kinds of safety features in many pools these days. When entering a pool, a chair lift can be used to transfer you from a wheelchair into the water. Other pool safety equipment you might use includes neck collars, flotation belts and webbed gloves.
A therapist should evaluate your physical abilities prior to swimming to determine what safety equipment should be used inside the pool. As a safety precaution, Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System advises anyone with any type of spinal cord injury (SCI) who is looking to swim to get a physical before beginning to determine any limitations.
If Jessica can win in the water why can’t you?
Find out more about how you can participate in research activities conducted by the Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System.
COMMENT: What swimming pools with great safety features do you frequent in your area?
By: Tanza Loudenback
Experea Healthcare Blog Editor
I’m not sure of the pools in our area that have great safety features. But, I was really inspired on my recent family vacation to Hawaii. Sitting poolside, I saw a dad enjoying the water with his kids. As he got out of the pool to leave, I noticed two things — his USC sweatshirt and both of his prosthetic legs. Truly inspiring.
Nice post, I love the website.