Swimming

When I was in college, an elderly gentleman with severe rheumatoid arthritis used to come to the pool every day at lunchtime and swim laps in the diving pool for the entire hour. I saw him do this for four years; he rarely missed a session. He told me that swimming was the only thing that kept him moving and decreased the pain. Swimming is not for everyone, but there are many who swear by it. If your arthritis involves your shoulders, you may find that swimming aggravates rather than relieves your pain. However, those patients with lower-extremity arthritis or multiple joint involvements may find that the lack of impact afforded by swimming makes it a great exercise choice. Swimming has several benefits: decreased weight bearing due to the buoyancy of the water, increased relaxation and reduced stiffness (with the proper water temperature), and total body conditioning.

What Does a Swimming Program Look Like?

Are There Any Special Considerations for a Swimming Program?