Neck pain is a relatively common occurrence for swimmers that can negatively impact performance and daily comfort. At St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance, we specialize in managing and preventing neck pain in swimmers and other athletes.
Chiropractic services can help alleviate pain and improve swimming form to manage and reduce the risk of neck injury. Neck pain prevention and management are two core pillars of our method to improve swimming performance and comfort.
Understanding and Preventing Neck Pain in Swimmers
The most common causes of neck pain while swimming are insufficient mobility in the lower back and improper swimming form. Immobility in the back causes other parts of your shoulders, scapula, and neck to overcompensate, leading to stress injuries. Swimming with improper form risks overusing certain muscles, which can pinch nerves and create neck and back pain.
Pain is most common among beginners who might have improper form, but even experienced and professional swimmers suffer from neck and back pain. Practicing proper swimming form, massage therapy, targeted exercises, and performance training are all viable treatment options to isolate and manage neck pain from swimming.
Moreover, these treatments can enhance athletic performance by strengthening muscles, improving posture, and increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Positioning and Swimming Techniques to Avoid Neck Pain
One of the simplest methods of neck discomfort prevention in swimming is to have the correct head and back position when swimming. Experts recommend keeping your neck level in the water, looking down at the ground. Keeping your neck in this neutral position prevents you from constantly looking up for sighting.
Other positioning techniques are to keep your head in line with the rest of your spine instead of moving side to side. For taking breaths, rotate to both sides equally so you don’t end up straining one side from overuse. A significant portion of our treatment sessions for swimmers is inculcating proper swimming techniques.
Stretch Exercises and Strength Training for Swimmers
Other techniques for neck pain prevention in swimming include stretching. Stretching before and after swimming sessions activates neck muscles to improve your range of motion. You can roll your shoulders and neck or look over your shoulders to the left and right as far as you can.
One exercise is to tuck your chin to your chest and look at one of your armpits. Using the arm on that side of your body, slowly push your head down until you feel stretching in the base of your neck and upper spine.
Strength training exercises that target the upper shoulders, trapezius, and deltoids can keep your neck aligned when going through swimming motions.
High-Level Best Practices for Neck Pain Prevention
Chiropractic techniques also work for preventing neck pain in swimmers by aligning the spine, reducing the likelihood of pinching nerves and straining muscles. In combination with regular stretching and strength training, neck pain preventive measures for swimmers can improve performance and avoid injuries that impede your swimming ability.
Incorporating daily stretching and regular strength training before swimming helps loosen neck muscles, reducing overuse strain and improving flexibility.
Rehabilitation and Recover for Swimmers & Athletes
At St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance, we offer a wide range of chiropractic care and treatment, including injury rehabilitation, performance training, and nutritional therapy. Our team has in-depth training for handling specific athletic injuries and can design treatment plans to target the specific injuries swimmers face.
Regardless if you are a recreational swimmer or a professional athlete, you can benefit from performance training and chiropractic care. Our team uses the latest technologies to analyze athletic movement patterns and fine-tune posture, techniques, and performance.
We want swimmers to be at their best, which is why we take a personalized approach to each patient. Our specialists work closely with patients to create a plan that is sensitive to your skill level, strength, conditioning, and athletic goals.
Navigating the Water Without Neck Pain at St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance
Preventing neck pain in swimmers involves engaging with preventative and rehabilitative services. Our St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance team dedicates itself to helping athletes of all skill levels enhance their performance and prevent injury. Contact us at (904) 217-7078 to schedule a discovery call!
