Swimming injuries Treatment
One of the most common injuries both professional and swimming enthusiasts often develop is known as the ‘swimmer’s shoulder’, which is caused by either improper technique or continuous use of the shoulder (wear and tear). As a result of the repetitive motions of the upper body muscles, particularly shoulders, the tendons and muscles found in the shoulder area endure constant stress, causing shoulder pain and incapacitated shoulder function. The problem may lie in the shoulder, the joints, or the rotator cuff itself.
Swimmer’s shoulder injury is a basic inflammation of the shoulder tendons due to compression of the tissue caused by overhead movements, also part of a series of repetitive strain/stress injuries (RSI). Such injuries are very common among swimmers, and during on the Olympics in the 80’s, the majority of the USA’s Swimming Olympic Team had the condition. However, varying degrees of pain and symptoms, although quite similar in nature, can produce a variety of diagnoses, requiring different types of treatment. Leaving swimming shoulder injuries untreated and continuing swimming through the pain may intentionally lead to far more serious conditions.
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
The repetitive stress/strain injury in swimmers can be classified into the following three categories:
- shoulder tendinosis – occurs on cellular level and is the degradation of the collagen fibers found in the shoulder, causing pain and discomfort during swimming; often confused with tendinitis as the symptoms are similar
- shoulder bursitis – inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) which minimizes friction between the joints during movement, causing the joints to grind and wear down
- rotator cuff tendinitis – inflammation, caused by micro tears in the tissue, of the small group of tendons connecting 3 bones (the scapula, clavicle, and humerus) together, which allow movement in the shoulder
Depending on the diagnosis, different combinations of treatment methods are appointed by the doctor, to restore and rehabilitate the shoulder. Since the sport is upper body intensive, putting extra pressure on the tendons in the shoulders, regardless of the swimming style, shoulder injuries account for the majority of traumas swimmers constantly sustain. Overuse caused by long and strenuous practices wear down the tendons in the shoulder. If the pain persists and it is left untreated, surgical intervention may be required to prevent further deterioration of the shoulder happening. Such invasive intervention may prove to be career ending for professional athletes, so seek medical assistance and rest the shoulder(s) as soon as possible when pain appears.
Depending on the severity and duration of the injury, the patient may experience varying levels of pain, with the pain and movement restriction increasing over time. The most common symptoms include:
- shoulder popping/cracking noise
- shoulder pain spreading to the arm
- limited rotative ability of the arm
- soreness and tingling sensation
*Same symptoms may be experienced during rotator cuff tendinitis, which progresses from a swimmer’s shoulder condition. If this issue is ignored, rehabilitative procedures may not be enough and surgery may be required. This is the most drastic solution with high probability of preventing full recuperation and restoration of the shoulder use.
Swimming shoulder injuries may prevented by following the simple steps listed below. Unfortunately, for professional swimmers and those with a genetic disposition to shoulder injury, these steps may not be enough, due to the excess stress the tendons endure during strenuous and continuous training sessions.
- proper warm ups and lengthy stretching, as before any sport activity
- steady and slow increase of the training time and intensity
- additional strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff
- implementing proper technique during swimming
Shoulder injuries in swimmers are generally treated by a number of ways – ranging from physiotherapy and pain relief treatments, to invasive surgery. At NYCSPT, we have developed an individualized approach to restore the function of the shoulder for swimmers with the help of state of the art diagnostics and rehabilitative equipment. We understand the importance for athletes of getting back into the sport at full strength, as well as those who simply enjoy swimming as a recreational sport.
Our clinic not only specializes in the rehabilitative procedures for the shoulder injuries swimmers that may incur and helping them return to the sport, but the treatment methods offered may be used to enhance performance and prevent future injury.
The diagnosis is established through three steps:
- Identifying the type of the injury (what obstructs full movement and rotation of the shoulder and causes pain) through state of the art technology available at our clinic,
- Evaluating the severity of the injury, and
- Developing a personalized rehabilitation treatment, catering to each patient’s needs.
The rehabilitation process of the swimming shoulder injury in our clinic involves a balanced spectrum of treatments: physical therapy, regenerative treatments, pain-relief treatments, and specifically developed Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises. The latter is a unique and technologically innovative approach to treating repetitive strain shoulder injuries in the different stages of the trauma. This is a non-invasive treatment which provides both pain relief, reduces inflammation and stimulates the healing processes of the affected shoulder. Along with rehabilitative qualities, it restores and improves the full body motor pattern, resulting in a complete recovery and enhanced performance of the swimmer’s injured shoulder.
We also offer computer assisted rehabilitation environment therapy, which revolves around the stabilization of the core and impacts precise coordination of the muscles via central nervous system by immersing the patient into virtual reality. This treatment method is generally used as part of a complete rehabilitative and restorative period, but can also be used as part of performance enhancement, since.
In the instances of severe swimming shoulder injuries, such as a tear in the tendon, we offer a conservative treatment using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), which, as studies have shown, has been proven to be a substitute to surgery in such cases. This is an innovative technology offered by NYCSPT clinic to help restore the shoulder to its initial healthy state by stimulating and accelerating the healing process of the musculoskeletal tissue through a set of pressure waves applied to the affected region.