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Hi everyone
I've been given the go ahead to start gentle swimming 4/5 weeks post op. I'm a bit confused about which stroke is safer as I've read that you should be doing front crawl or backstroke and avoid doing breast stroke? When doing front crawl there is a fair bit of twisting as you take a breath each stroke whereas breaststroke your back does not really twist at all. I can't really do back stroke as an older shoulder injury and op makes this uncomfortable.
When my Dad was having hydrotherapy for a back injury many years ago, he was advised not to worry too much about 'strokes' but to start off by moving forwards in the water by trying to 'walk'. He did laps of the hydro pool, just walking - it was quite strenous! He was in chest height water. After a few weeks of this he then floated on his back, and 'skulled' with his hands and did gentle kicks with his legs - the physio in the pool with him made sure he didn't barge into the wall! It was several weeks until he felt confident enough to try a 'stroke' - and that was doggy paddle (!!!) Within 8 weeks he was back to flogging up and down the local pool alternating 3 strokes.
Take it easy - enjoy the weightlessness!
Cheers Jabba, I alternate between doing a length front crawl and then walking around in the water. 'It does feel nice to be in the water and you can instantly feel the relief of pressure on your spine when you get in. I'm starting slow by doing 5-6 lengths and so far I'm not in too much pain so I'll slowly start increasing.