Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?

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2008-10-24 7:40 AM

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Subject: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?

I just started doing laps and have gone three times.  My right forearm is killing me.  It is hard to pick stuff up with my right hand.  It also hurts when I bend my wrist.  The pain is up closer to my elbow but hurts when I bend my wrist. 

Is this just normal pain as I get used to the lap swimming???  I always think of swimming as a non-injury sport. I am probably underestimating the water resistance. 

2008-10-24 7:48 AM
in reply to: #1763486

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Master
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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
it could be technique.. is you breath side, the side that's hurting? you could be over exaggerating the stroke, to ensure you get a full breath.

2008-10-24 7:54 AM
in reply to: #1763499

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?

momo - 2008-10-24 7:48 AM it could be technique.. is you breath side, the side that's hurting? you could be over exaggerating the stroke, to ensure you get a full breath.

 

That could be.  It is my breath side.  I think I do that so I don't feel like I am suffocating...that should improve over time, right?  I am not sure my form is great but am trying to work on it.  I won't be swimming again until Monday so I am hoping the pain subsides.  I took a swim lesson before I started but probably should have a coach watch and critique my form.  The hard thing will be finding one...I would have to ask the high school coach (the team leaves the pool when I arrive) and hope he doesn't find my question annoying!

2008-10-24 9:09 AM
in reply to: #1763486

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Master
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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
If you find the problem and fix it. the pain will go away.. Sometimes the lifeguards or aquatics instructors are available to watch and critique. Is there a masters swim club in your area?

2008-10-24 9:15 AM
in reply to: #1763486

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
I started swimming laps again this week and noticed the same soreness. It has gone away, though. Although my arms are pretty tired today.
2008-10-28 9:03 AM
in reply to: #1763486

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
I'm certainly no swimming guru, but am pretty decent and have taught it in the past.  I would suggest trying to make sure you reach further in your stroke.  If you have a sharp bend in your elbow when entering the water, you are more prone to pull with your hands and forearms as opposed to using your lats in your back.  This will tire the areas you mentioned.  Tough to say without seeing your stroke, but there's my .02.

2008-10-28 9:45 AM
in reply to: #1763486

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
Bronwyn1968 - 2008-10-24 7:40 AM

I just started doing laps and have gone three times.  My right forearm is killing me.  It is hard to pick stuff up with my right hand.  It also hurts when I bend my wrist.  The pain is up closer to my elbow but hurts when I bend my wrist. 

Is this just normal pain as I get used to the lap swimming???  I always think of swimming as a non-injury sport. I am probably underestimating the water resistance. 



Very odd stuff.

I would guess your stroke is no where near accurate. Can you get a swim coach to help you with your form?

Sounds like you might need it. Sorry.

*Note: Please keep in mind I have not seen you swim. But in all my years of swimming, and having swam competitively, I have never experienced such a thing so I'm left to assume that your stroke is pretty bad because you are doing something really wrong to make that part of your arm hurt.*


2008-10-28 9:46 AM
in reply to: #1763504

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
Bronwyn1968 - 2008-10-24 7:54 AM

momo - 2008-10-24 7:48 AM it could be technique.. is you breath side, the side that's hurting? you could be over exaggerating the stroke, to ensure you get a full breath.

 

That could be.  It is my breath side.  I think I do that so I don't feel like I am suffocating...that should improve over time, right?  I am not sure my form is great but am trying to work on it.  I won't be swimming again until Monday so I am hoping the pain subsides.  I took a swim lesson before I started but probably should have a coach watch and critique my form.  The hard thing will be finding one...I would have to ask the high school coach (the team leaves the pool when I arrive) and hope he doesn't find my question annoying!



Why not offer to pay him for some outside coaching? He won't find your questions annoying then.
2008-10-28 10:30 AM
in reply to: #1763486

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?

one thing to keep in mind here is that you just started swimming.  You are now activating muscles in ways that they have never been activated before.  Even if your form was 100%, those muscles are still going to complain.

Right now, I'd be looking at making sure you have adequate recovery and are slowly working your way up in volume.

I'm not saying that taking classes and working on form is pointless, just that it's not going to solve the aches and pains.  Actually as form improves, and you start catching more water and pulling with your back, core and triceps, you will find many more muscles that like to complain.  You are just as prone to overuse injury in swimming as in running and cycling...it's just a different set of muscles.  

2008-10-28 11:28 AM
in reply to: #1763636

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?

momo - 2008-10-24 10:09 AM If you find the problem and fix it. the pain will go away.. Sometimes the lifeguards or aquatics instructors are available to watch and critique. Is there a masters swim club in your area?

 I saw that you asked about my swimming in my other thread. Thanks for remembering.

This is going to sound real "granny-ish".  It was feeling better but then I went up north in the car and crocheted the whole way (about 4 hours) and then my arm started hurting again! I am thinking it may be the crocheting....Or the crocheting combined with the swimming.

 I swam last night again.  I don't feel pain when I swim but have trouble lifting items.  I am just going to keep swimming but stop crocheting the xmas presents I have been working on. 

 For everyone....I did take a swim lesson before I started doing laps.  I can't imagine that my form is that off...I will try to get an opinion from someone about how I am doing.

Thanks.



Edited by Bronwyn1968 2008-10-28 11:29 AM
2008-10-28 11:45 AM
in reply to: #1763486

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
Its most likely pain at your wrist flexors where they attach to your humerus. Is is sore just below the bone at your inner elbow, near where your "funny bone" is? Its a tendonitis type response from your wrist flexors contracting in a static position as your reach and then pull through with your arm. You can ice the area, stretch it (bend your elbow with your arm at your side, pull your fingers back to extend your wrist, and then straighten your elbow, 5x15 seconds), or you could get one of those tennis elbow straps and swim with it it. But, make sure you put the padded part on the inside of your elbow where your pain is occurring.


2008-10-28 6:45 PM
in reply to: #1763486

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?
Do you swim only front crawl or do you also swim sidestroke and/or breastroke?  I can swim several thousand yards front crawl, but a couple hundred yards breastroke and my hands cramp and my forearms are very sore. 
2008-10-28 7:02 PM
in reply to: #1771737

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Subject: RE: Forearm pain/soreness - Caused by Swimming?

McFuzz - 2008-10-28 7:45 PM Do you swim only front crawl or do you also swim sidestroke and/or breastroke?  I can swim several thousand yards front crawl, but a couple hundred yards breastroke and my hands cramp and my forearms are very sore. 

 

I love the "several thousand yards"... maybe someday I will be able to also!

I mix it up.  Usually ten laps of front crawl and then two backstroke and two breaststroke and one kickboard. 

 

Veteran - it hurts on the top of my forearm...close to my elbow (not the inside).  It hurts when I rub it deep...like a sore muscle.

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