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From: Keith.Jones@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Jones)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Swimming
Message-ID: <15786@handicap.news>
Date: 23 May 91 20:04:29 GMT
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Index Number: 15786

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

  I have found swimming to be extremely beneficial. Good exercise and
great for cardiovascular system. I have a very bad back. I used to race
wheelchairs competitively but since the back problems have not been able
to. Also have problems with pain in my hip and ball of my right foot. I
do not notice the pain at all when I swim. Additionally I have terrible
spasticity (I have my share of problems) for which I have taken up to 25
mg. Valium daily, 100 mg. Dantrium daily, and as much as 200 mg.
Baclofen a day. I currently take 5 mg. Valium, 50 mg. Dantrium, and 80
mg. Baclofen. Nothing helps. I have considered an intrathecal pump. The
only thing that really helps is exercise, particularly swimming. It
wipes out spasticity for hours. In water, I am able to range myself and
also get into all kinds of positions that I cannot get into normally. It
keeps me flexible. Great physically and mentally. I miss it since I just
recently moved back to Cleveland from Phoenix where I swam 3-4 times a
week. In Cleveland the pools will not open till June. I have been going
crazy since I got back here at the beginning of May. I would strongly
suggest swimming to all SCI people.

                                             Good Luck,
                                              Keith

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