Swimming Pools

By Boris The Bold

2 min read

Hi all - and hope you're all managing okay.

I write this as I have just had a great meeting with my niece's new husband and wanted to let you all know of his insights.

Why would I bother you with this, you must be asking?

Well - he's an orthopaedic surgeon.

Moreover, and amazingly, his father is a world-renowned ortho surgeon, and his mum is too!! Seems like I have had a bit of luck amongst this AS crap!!!!!

He has advised me to go to a swimming pool, and just sit there. Make no movements. His advice was that i sit in a pool as often as I can for about a month, letting the ant-gravitational forces gently allow my back to start getting relief and also helping it in straightening a bit.

After a month, he suggests, it will be time to start building muscle tone in my back (where I have my problems). Again, without much movement, he says what needs to be done is to start "swimming" with my arms - without actually moving my body. The resistance of the water will automatically - if slowly - start building tone amongst the correct muscles that surround the spine, and add strength.

Once that starts to actually work (obviously we're all different and will advance at differing rates) you can start getting more active.

All in all the pool seems to be the surest, safest and most effective way to counter the ankylosing of your spinal column.

I will be starting this weekend, so will gladly keep you posted if you're interested. I am overjoyed at being able to take my little ones to the pool - and actually join them in the water!!!! i have been simply too scared until now (despite being 60 years old, I have 3 young kids).

Of course, having one of these types in the family, with no financial or professional axe to grind or financial pressure to give heartfelt advice is probably as good as it gets. I guess that if I could get one of my kids to marry a consultant Rheumatologist would also not be a bad idea, however the Rhuems are only great at the diagnostic side of things. The Ortho is the guy (or gal) who then have to deal with the outcomes - in the worst cases.

Interestingly, he tells me that on an average day he sees several new cases of people with these probs (not just AS,, but other spinal problems too). He is also the ER ortho surgeon, so sees all types.

I hope this gives hope and hep to you guys, and let me know if you have any similar types of suggestions.

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James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="Boris The Bold" user-id="4525048"/> , Wow what a stroke of luck that was with your niece's choice of husband! I've heard a lot of good things about exercising in the water from others with AS and have been meaning to give it a go myself but it seems like all of the pools near me have closed down annoyingly. But I guess it might be worth travelling a bit out of the way if it does help as much as I have heard it does! How have your water adventures gone so far? Have you noticed any differences since you started with these? Wishing you well, James (Community Member)
Boris The Bold Member
The Borg Were Wrong!! Any fan of Star Trek will immediately understand what the heading is about, but for those of you unfortunates who have yet to be enlightened by the pleasure that was Star Trek (its sort of gone a little wonky of late…) The Borg were the race of crypto robot/humans who basically devoured and consumed everything in their sight. Their moto was “Resistance is Futile”, but I am here to happily reassure all that resistance is far from futile! In fact it is damned wonderful!! What am I talking about? Well, as someone who has never been comfortable in water (and often felt claustrophobic under water), I never warmed-up to swimming or the like. And - believe it or not - my dear brother has, for the last 50 years, been an obsessive surfer to boot!! Haha So going to the pool was never in my books. And because I suffered bad psoriasis as well, it has made it VERY difficult to take my 3 young kids swimming - something that I sorely missed. But now, with my AS diagnosis after 25 years of deterioration (and in taking Waltz, my skin has cleared-up), I have had my arm twisted to go the pool to help me build-up needed muscle tone, as it will reinforce the shite that is happening along my spine. It has been nothing short of a pleasure, I am delighted to tell you!! I’m not doing anything stupid! I couldn’t anyway, even if I wanted. I am not even swimming either. What I am doing is walking up and down the pool in the opposite direction of the water jets, and the effect of that resistance, and feeling long-lost muscles say “hello - we’re still here” is exhilarating and thankfully very enthusing. I go once a week and spend an hour or so. About half the time I am walking, and the rest of the time I hang by my hands from the border/rim and fold up my legs, so that I am no longer standing - I’m semi-afloat. I then just lift my arms and relax, and feel my whole body rise with the effort, and again, muscles are clearly being used in the process, so I know it is beginning to work. I am VERY lucky that I have a wonderful neighbourhood pool nearby which has one pool which is about 1.6 metres at the deepest, and as I go at lunchtime, most of the other few customers are also using this pool for exercise and just general fitness. They’re not the youngest customers, of course, but its great to see them making the effort!! There IS a downside, however. Boy, when you get out of the pool, you feel as though you weigh at least 2 tonnes! Its at THAT point that you realise how effective the act of floating or just being in the water, is for anyone suffering from back issues. I heartily recommend it, if you are able.
1. Doreen H Community Admin
 Boris the Bold, What a wonderful revelation. I'm so glad you've overcome the obstacles that prevented you from enjoying the water. It certainly sounds like it's been therapeutic for you...and a game changer as well. Wishing you well, Doreen (Team Member)
Boris The Bold Member
Hi there. Due to a number of scheduling "issues" I have had to put a hold until the end of next week. I will start then and will happily report back if interested.
1. Doreen H Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Boris The Bold" user-id="4525048"/>, Yes, of course! We get it, sometimes "life" gets in the way. We hope the pool/water will make a difference and we look forward to hearing from you. All my best, Doreen (Team Member)
Facing Spodyloarthritis Member
Hi there, yes indeed. Swimming is apparently the safest and best excercise for this condition. I add the fact that it enhances the breathing movements which are so important in this condition in order to achieve chest expansion. I don't know about many of you but AS affects often my ribbcage and my chest bone. Good luck at the pool. Keep us updated 
1. Nicky-Flikas-aks Moderator & Contributor
 Yes. It does affect many parts of the body. AS affects me a lot in the areas you mention. How are you feeling today? Have you found ways to help when you feel this way? Nicky (Team Member)