How Swimming Supports Joint and Spine Health

Dr. Jeff Verenski • July 2, 2025

Dive Into Relief: The Benefits of Swimming for Your Joints and Spine

At Resolve Chiropractic in New Berlin, WI, we understand how crucial it is to find safe, effective ways to manage joint and spinal discomfort. One of the most underrated tools for improving musculoskeletal health is swimming. Whether you're dealing with chronic back pain, arthritis, or recovering from an injury, swimming offers powerful benefits that can complement your chiropractic care.

Why Swimming Is Ideal for Joint Health

1. Low-Impact, High-Reward Exercise
Swimming provides a low-impact environment that reduces the stress placed on your joints. Unlike running or weightlifting, swimming cushions your joints while still giving you a full-body workout—perfect for patients with arthritis or joint degeneration.

2. Improves Joint Flexibility and Range of Motion
The resistance of water helps strengthen muscles around the joints without straining them. Over time, this can lead to increased flexibility, better joint mobility, and reduced stiffness—especially helpful for shoulders, hips, and knees.

3. Reduces Inflammation
Regular swimming helps improve circulation and reduce systemic inflammation. This can ease pain and swelling in chronically inflamed joints, providing natural relief and improving overall function.

How Swimming Benefits Your Spine

1. Decompresses the Spine
Water’s buoyancy takes the pressure off your spinal discs, creating a gentle decompressive effect. For those with herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica, swimming can temporarily relieve pain and tension, allowing for more comfortable movement.

2. Strengthens Core Muscles
A strong core is essential for spinal stability. Swimming engages your abdominal, lumbar, and pelvic muscles—creating better support for your spine and helping to prevent future injuries.

3. Promotes Better Posture
By strengthening postural muscles and improving balance, swimming encourages better alignment of the spine. When combined with chiropractic adjustments, swimming can help reinforce proper posture habits.

Swimming + Chiropractic: A Natural Partnership

At Resolve Chiropractic, we often recommend swimming as part of a well-rounded wellness plan. When combined with personalized chiropractic care, swimming can:

Speed up recovery from injury
Extend the benefits of your adjustments
Reduce stress on the nervous system
Improve overall quality of life

New to Swimming? Start Slow

You don’t need to be a competitive swimmer to enjoy the benefits. Even gentle lap swimming or water aerobics classes at your local New Berlin pool can make a significant impact on your joint and spinal health. If you're unsure where to begin, we’re happy to guide you with safe recommendations based on your current condition.

Experience Whole-Body Relief at Resolve Chiropractic

If you’re ready to feel better, move better, and live better, Resolve Chiropractic in New Berlin, WI is here to help. Our expert team will create a care plan that may include gentle chiropractic adjustments, at-home exercises, and lifestyle advice—including how swimming can support your journey to wellness.