Originally Posted by
Illusional 
actually when you're swimming a lot of the weight is reduced because the body naturally floats. doctors encourage this sort of exercise because it takes the stress off of the back. unless you're swimming in some sorta weird position, the last time that i swam, my back wasn't all bent out of shape.
that's why I edited it to say it's the neck part of the spine that gets stressed. I certainly always notice that my neck gets tense when I swim.
Anyway, when this thread came up I dug up and re-watched a very comprehensive documentary on back pain issues that was on german tv recently. I'm sure swimming is a great way (especially for athletes who need to keep fit even when they have an injury) to keep active when you have back pain- I imagine it's also relaxing which helps all by itself. I'm not saing swimming is bad in general.
But, for back pain preventative exercise, swimming doesn't do much. X-rays of people in a swimming-position (breaststroke) show that the neck is arched back too much. Since you suggested to stop running and start swimming, I figured I'd point out that for a healthy person, running is in fact a good exercise for the back and can prevent back pain. It keeps your spine flexible. Unless you encounter problems there is no reason to stop.
Originally Posted by
Illusional sorry, i don't have a foot fetish. however, foot massaging would only lead to even kinkier things, and with your back, you couldn't keep up with me. haha.
I'll get out my bio-oil and give you the nicest foot massage ever, then, miso. We'll tie raver up and make him watch.