Swimming to relieve sciatica or back pain : The benefits, Which swims practiced

Sciatica, and more commonly back pain, are very common in our society today. Besides medical treatment and rest for good recovery, it is possible to accelerate the healing process by practicing swimming. Discover what are the benefits and which kind of swimming exercises you should practice.

Stay active despite the pain

Sciatica is a pain that is originates in the sciatic nerve at the buttock and which may extend to the back of the thigh, to the calf, or even to the foot in the worst case. Depending on the severity of the case, some people find that it's impossible to walk or to set foot on the ground. 

Although resting is always beneficial, but is important to stay active to solicit the muscle and to not losing mobility. There is no question obviously to run a marathon or playing tennis, but some sports can still be practiced, like Swimming.

The benefits of swimming

Being considered as a worn sport, swimming is not traumatic for the joints and muscles in general. The body is almost weightless in water which allows the swimmer to relax the spine. Swimming also helps to beef up the back. By improving your posture in this area, so you relieve your vertebrae and reduce tensions. Also note that performing movements in a pool or in the sea, allow you enjoying the natural resistance of the water to increase the intensity of muscle work while protecting your joints. In case of sciatica, always consult a doctor because swimming does not cure it. It just makes relieve pain and prevent it from reappearing later.

Which swims practiced with sciatica?

If swimming relieves sciatica, all obviously depends on the movements you make and intensity you put into it. The ideal is to swim 2-3 times a week for 30-45 minutes per session. Privilege backstroke swim as this allows beef up the back, the abdominal muscles and shoulders. The crawl requires much lumbar and could worsen sciatica. Forget the breaststroke and butterfly swims are "traumatic" for the back and joints. Do ample and smooth movements and do not try to using speed. The goal is to relieve pain and relax muscle.