Swimming for Healthy Joints

Orthopedic Benefits of Swimming

According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects more than 50 million adults and over 300,000 children in the United States. This condition can impact your ability to perform everyday tasks and lower your quality of life. Therefore, many people affected by joint pain look to stay active to improve their joint health.

When living with arthritis, it can be difficult to find physical activities that are gentle on your joints. Fortunately, swimming is a great low-impact activity that helps to promote joint health and keeps you active. Here’s how.

Pain Relief

A recent study from the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation suggests that swimming is an effective exercise for reducing the pain associated with arthritic conditions. It can help to improve the function of affected joints while also improving quality of life for those affected by joint pain.

Support Surrounding Muscles

While many know that swimming is considered a full-body workout, it is important to note that this exercise also helps to build up the muscles that support your joints. Because swimming is a low impact activity, it helps to build muscle without the discomfort associated with other exercises and activities such as weightlifting.

Protection from Falling Injuries

Studies suggest that those who participate in swimming activities are less likely to fall compared to those who do land-based physical exercises. This is because swimming helps to strengthen the muscles in your legs and core, which improve your balance — reducing your risk for sustaining fall-related injuries.

Aquatic Therapy in Gillette

CCH Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation services is the home to Gillette's only therapeutic swimming pool. For more information about this program and it's benefits please call 307-688-8000.