ra/oa in neck and swimming

[Emye343]

hi all,

I used to swim 5 days a week, but since developing arthritis in my neck I’ve virtually stopped. The problem is that I swim with my head up ( I’ve tried lessons etc, but I just can’t put my face in the water, I hate the sensation of water in my eyes and other facial orifices!) I have heard that there is some sort of float that one can get which supports the neck while you swim and wondered if anyone on the forum has any experience of this and can recommend anything? I know swimming is good for the joints and would love to get going again, at least a couple of times a week if I can. Thanks for any advice/ experience you can offer!

[helixhelix]

Back stroke?

[Emye343 in reply to helixhelix]

Hi, thanks The suggestion, but my arms wouldn’t allow me to do that. X

[bpeal1]

I used to be like you but found a decent pair of goggles really helped.

[Emye343 in reply to bpeal1]

Thanks bpeal1. I’ve tried the goggles already but it doesn’t stop the water entering my nose, which I hate! X

[bpeal1 in reply to Emye343]

As you come up to breathe blow out hard, you’ll then automatically breathe in quickly which means by the time your head goes back under you’ve finished breathing so water less likely to go up.

Alternatively try breathing out of your nose as you go under. If neither of those things work you could try a nose clip. I’ve never used one but have seen other people swimming with them. Good luck!

[Emye343 in reply to bpeal1]

Thanks bpeal1. Not sure I’m brave enough to try the breathing - but I might get a nose clip!

[Caza]

Maybe you could do aquafit instead or as HH said backstroke

[Emye343 in reply to Caza]

Thanks Caza. Can’t do backstroke because of the ra, but I will investigate aqua fit. X

[Sarahg62]

I have the same problem. I took up Aquafit, but the pandemic put paid to that. Swimming wise, I ended up doing side stroke, or just lying in my back and using my legs only, I can’t swing my arms properly to do back stroke. Not ideal, but at least I could do something.

[Emye343 in reply to Sarahg62]

As you say, Sarahg62, Something is better than nothing! X

[Boxerlady]

I do Aquafit and it's great as you can do it without joint impact and do it at your own pace, adapting the movements if necessary. You can do it in deep water if you like with a bouancy belt so you're floating or in shallower water so that you're standing on the bottom of the pool. I vary the depth between classes but never very shallow. Re swimming, I didn't swim for years (over 30!) partly because I had neck problems (nothing to do with RA, work related issues) and I always swam breast stroke with my head up. When I developed RA 3 years ago, I realised that I had to start some suitable exercise so I went to swimming lessons. Initially I found the exercise where you held a float out in front to practise leg kicks hurt my neck so I started doing it on my back and that was fine. I then bought some goggles and did some reading/research and practised putting my face in the water (using a bowl of water at home initially) and eventually started swimming breaststroke with my neck straight enough not to be a problem for me although I don't put my face right down, just avoid tilting it up too high. The best information I found was by reading about the Alexander technique swimming approach but then I'm a real fan of the technique anyway.

I don't swim regularly atm as I find that Aquafit suits me better - more variation in movement and posture.

[Emye343 in reply to Boxerlady]

Thanks for the detailed reply Boxerlady,I will do some research Into the Alexander technique! X

[Ali_H]

Hi,If you’re water confident then doing ‘running’ in the deep end will give you plenty of movement but not stress your neck too much.

All the best

Ali

[Emye343 in reply to Ali_H]

Thanks Ali. I’m not sure I would fancy running in the deep end!x

[Boxerlady in reply to Emye343]

Aquajog might work - you wear a buoyancy belt around your middle and then making jogging movements; you don't need to be very deep but as you get more confident, you might feel able to venture further. I tried the classes but couldn't move very fast and felt a bit silly but it would be fine if you were doing it on your own. I do prefer sitting astride a noodle but wear the belt sometimes when I want to do the Aquafit classes deeper i.e. without my feet reaching the floor - I do that with one of the instructors who yells more than the other one so that I can stay out of earshot and I'm not the only one! 😂

[thould]

I swim 3 times a week and have a terrible left side stiffness but i do do a lot of backstroke now whereas before I never, so it may work for you, give it a go and practice

[Emye343 in reply to thould]

Hi thould,I think backstroke is probably a non starter for me as I can’t use my arms in that way. However, I think I will take up the aqua fit idea and see where that goes. X

[Boxerlady in reply to Emye343]

When I did backstroke I adapted it; I didn't use my arms and I swapped between the usual leg kick and the breaststroke leg kick and it worked fine 😉Alexander Technique is brilliant although it's best if you have a teacher initially and as it becomes habitual, it just becomes part of your life. It helped/helps me with sciatica, back, shoulder and arm problems. It just about using your body in the best possible way, having a good posture and learning how to relax but the teachers are highly trained; they all have different areas of interest/expertise though so worth chatting to them to find someone you can work with. As a musician, I always chose ones with experience in that area - I have had 3 over many years and they were all great. I didn't have one to help with the swimming but I found that the book was enough as I already understood the concept.

[Emye343 in reply to Boxerlady]

Thanks Boxerlady, I’ll look into it.

[Madrugada]

I am a fan of noodles. Those long tubes of polystyrene. You can sit astride a noodle and cycle round the deep end. Also you can lean back on a noodle and swim on your back. Not sure if they allow them in public pools though.

[Boxerlady in reply to Madrugada]

We use those in Aquafit classes and they're great

[Emye343 in reply to Madrugada]

Thanks. I’ll find out if they are allowed in our leisure centre pool.