Benefits of Swimming for Injury Rehab and Active Recovery

I have been dealing with some nagging joint pain and I am thinking about adding swimming to my routine for active recovery. I have heard that the buoyancy of the water is great for taking pressure off the joints while still getting a good cardiovascular workout.

Do any of you lifters use swimming as part of your rehab? I am a bit worried that the overhead motion of swimming might aggravate my shoulder issues. Is there a specific stroke that is better for people with upper body injuries?

I am also wondering how often I should go. I do not want it to interfere with my strength training sessions but I think a couple of times a week might be beneficial. If you have a specific swimming routine for recovery please let me know.