Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 5/14/2008

Question
I am a long term surfer and am also an IT consultant. I've had a pain behind my right should blade for six years now. It began to hurt only after a surf and not during and could only be felt as a pinch behind my should blade. Now, six years and many specialists later, any surfing causes my arm to ache and shoulder blade to hurt sharply for hours. My sternum is also constantly popping on the right side at the rib joint. I MUST pop this joint after sitting down, and the joint is actually getting quite sore. Please help, I fear I may not be able to surf for much longer.

Answer
Hello Ben.  Congratulations on the active(surf) lifestyle.

"Popping sternum and severe pain behind should blade after surfing"

Started years ago after a surf- a pinch under the blade.

You state you have been to many specialists.  I hope those 'specialists' include a Doctor of Chiropractic.  I would look to attend a Chiropractor with Diplomat status in sports, orthopedics or rehabilitation.  Yes, DC's, just like MD's go through additional training in a specialty of their interest.

Your problem sounds like chiropractic should help.  You may have over did your activity years ago- resulting in a small strained muscle.  You repeated your activities. You repeated the injury. Over time this strained muscle grew worse, ultimately building an imbalance into your musculoskeletal system.  Now any activity aggravates this chronic imbalance/ injury.

Your ribs run from your spine to your sternum.  A problem in the back (spine) will create a problem in your front (sternum), or vice versa.
Your muscle 'pull' created the rib problem in back, created the rib problem up front.

I would look for a DC with diplomat status: DACBSP, DACBO, DACRB, who practices a technique called A.R.T.- active release technique.  Kind of like a massage technique along with the adjustments that may be necessary.  ART will locate and treat the muscular imbalance in your system, and I think, help resolve this longstanding muscular imbalance which lead to the bone/ joint problems.  http://www.activerelease.com/  May be of help to you.  This Staten Island Chiropractor is not certified in ART (although I utilize some of the techniques).  This is an approach, for this problem, that I would use upon myself.  Good Luck.

As always, this article is not prescriptive.  Specific recommendation/ treatment can only be performed by a treating health professional. This article is for discussion, information, educational purposes only.

Wishing you Good Health, Naturally!

Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
http://www.DocDolan.net