Swimming With Multiple Sclerosis – an MS Patient’s story

By jennifer faxon | Yahoo! Contributor Network 

Summertime is the most beautiful time of year. People enjoy the great outdoors even more in the summer. The summer is the best time for pool activities, as you can have the great outdoors or you can enjoy an indoor pool if you want.

Summertime is the ideal time for people with multiple sclerosis, too.

When people think of outdoor sports we generally have a mindset of those who are in good physical condition. This is not the case for summer sports like swimming, diving, and aquatic aerobics; these sports are ideal for people who have multiple sclerosis.

I have been swimming since I was a little girl growing up in Palm Springs, Calif. I love to swim and used to be able to swim 2-3 miles with no problem. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006, and it changed me. I went from being able to swim what I consider long distances to swimming shorter distances. I still love the summer, though, because I can swim in the great outdoors.

People with multiple sclerosis need to remember these 10 tips to ensure that they are able to enjoy summertime sports like swimming, diving, and aquatic aerobics:

People with multiple sclerosis may want to enjoy summer sports with their family, but they need to remember to warm up first. This is important for us with multiple sclerosis to remember since we already have a more sensitive muscular system. I always warm up for 5-10 minutes before going for a good swim.

If you plan on taking a long swim, gradually build your way up. This ensures that your muscular system is prepared to take on that long swim. I usually start with a swim that lasts about 10 minutes then work my way up through the first three weeks of the summer to prepare for a 45-minute swim.