Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 10/9/2007

Question
Hi,
I'm beginner golfer, started 3 weeks ago. During one of the practice, I smacked the ball and felt sharp pain under right arm (right handed golfer), rib/chest area. Could not go on, had to stop practice, every next swing was a pain.
Just to mention that I felt a little pain in that area after I started practice golf, but it was nothing serious, very little, and one days I felt it and others did not.
I went to see a doctor and diagnose was sprained muscle.
But it has been over 2 weeks after and it is very little improvement, if any at all. Every time I press area where rib joints, I feel pain.
Here are my other symptoms: pain in the chest when deep breathing, pain during SOME movement of the chest. When I turn on either side in bed, I feel pain, which weakens after couple seconds. But more on right side. And I feel it mostly when I turn side to side.
When I turn face up, pain goes away completely.
I have red about rib subluxation and I worry it may concern me.
Please tell your opinion, what should I do?

Answer
You may want to find a chiropractor to help on this one.  You can have a rib subluxation, a strain in the intercostal muscles, a misalignment in the spine, etc.  I lean towards a rib, as I see this often, and one of the big signs is pain with a deep breath.