Swimming Pool Exercises for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis occurs when your spinal cord narrows. This leads to pinched nerves and discomfort. Approximately 400,000 Americans most likely suffer from spinal stenosis, although it is not always diagnosed. Most patients diagnosed with spinal stenosis are treated with a more conservative approach before a doctor pursues surgery. One such approach is swimming pool exercises. The point of the exercises is to strengthen the spine.

Instructions

Leg Stretch Exercise

• 1

  Face the pool wall and rest your hands on the side.

• 2

  Extend your body and legs out from the wall, letting the water support them.

• 3

  Hold your body outstretched for as long as it is comfortable.

• 4

  Try to increase the amount of time you hold the position each time you do the exercise.

• 5

  Repeat the stretch for 10 to 15 minutes, with small breaks in between each repetition.

Pool Walking

• 6

  Stand in the shallow end of the pool, where your feet comfortably touch the ground and your head is well above water.

• 7

  Walk to the other side of the pool.

• 8

  Pause at the other side and then walk backward to the side you started from.

• 9

  Add hand weights to make the exercise more challenging once you are comfortable and feel strong enough.

• 10

  Repeat as many times as comfortable.

Knee to Chest Exercise

• 11

  Stand perpendicular to the pool wall.

• 12

  Place your hand on the edge of the pool for balance.

• 13

  Pull your left knee up to your chest, while your right foot remains on the ground.

• 14

  Switch legs, pulling your right knee up to your chest.

• 15

  Alternate between legs for as long as is comfortable.