Surfers shoulders and other joints!

[jaffa1949]

APH and I have had a discussion via PMs about longer boards shoulders and weight and fitness in regard to surfing.

I'd like to go through a few thoughts about this.
This is all general advice as it does not fit everyone and in some cases you would need a doctor's or health professionals 's advice to ensure that you are doing the right thing for your body. If in doubt seek a consultation
I have worked as a chiropractor for over 30 years and surfed for over 50.
So lets start;
Joints as a rule are supported by opposing groups of muscles that pull the bones that make up the joint into its various functional positions
To best function they need to be balanced in power across the joint and hold it in its correct positioning during movement.
Prolonged misalignment of a joint or excessive muscle pull on the joint will over time cause some types of arthritus .
Excessive weight, pressure or repetitive usage can do the same or worsen the problem.
Add wipeouts, cold water and being overweight and you can see why surfing enjoyment would be way down.

The challenge, getting fit;
Monday morning at clinic was always about repairing weekend warriors who thought they were fit.

So be realistic about what you undertake.
Believe me if you haven't done it for a while you are not as good or as fit as you were!

Get a check up listen to the advice and follow it, walk at speed heaps, if the joints are not working well get any or all of these, chiro, physio, sports doctor and trainer to devise you a program. ( See that they understand your surfing and how it stresses the body but relaxes you)
Then having done that and spent some money, you will probably like to stop making excuses.
Do your program with some friends, more fun, positive peer pressure.
Drink more water and avoid casual visits to the fridge.
You will probably like to stop making excuses at its white enamel door. Truly, realistically review your eating habits.
This covers fitness, weight, out of breath experiences and each of these improved will make surfing easier and more enjoyable, being over 60 myself I have to keep this in mind all the time.

Joints/ arthritus etc,. Medication first thoughts, steroid injections painkillers, anti-inflammatories,and surgical repairs need to be carefully weighed up by medicos with a risk versus benefit for each individual and their health pattern.
There are joint supplements that can help the joint recover from arthritus.

See a specialist sports physio, chiropractor or osteopath, get the joint checked and possibly aligned , learn from them, shoulder or specific joint rehabilitation exercises, do them as part of your increasing exercise regime.

Very important make your program varied and FUN boredom is a killer of exercise programs and health,
FFS treat yourself with the respect you deserve.

Think about this one too;.
I am a health professional but I went to another health professional/ weight loss program to get myself healthier, because having to face the truth of where I was on weight and health from someone else and have them give me a program meant I couldn't make excuses.

Long post hope it helps. More health means more fun + more surf etc. Surfing more and better now than I was 15 years ago.

[billie_morini]

jaffa,
thanks for sharing your professional opinions and expertise. It's greatly appreciated.

Coincidentally, I went to a chiropractor this morning with problems related to herniated neck disks and, following simple treatment, felt like a new man. My chiro surfs, too.
billie

[jaffa1949]

jaffa,
thanks for sharing your professional opinions and expertise. It's greatly appreciated.

Coincidentally, I went to a chiropractor this morning with problems related to herniated neck disks and, following simple treatment, felt like a new man. My chiro surfs, too.
billie

Great Billie, and your chiro surfs major good call here!
Keep your neck and shoulders and upper back in top condition and it will go a long way to maintaining everything, let it go and could be major consequences. Keep up the muscle fitness to support your back and neck.
Herniated discs at any level are a major problem and need careful consideration and there are times when manipulation is inappropriate.
BTW be aware all readers that in different countries laws regulation of medical and other practitioners is different.
All things are not equal.
Neck work is a highly specialised area don't let amateurs do manipulation there are risks.
Your professional should take you through what your problem is and and what they will achieve and the risks, if you are happy and feel confident then OK. If not seek more advice!
Every keen sports person should have a team of people behind them, doctor, physio , masseuse, chiro, osteopath all of whom I would suggest at least have a professional appreciation and understanding of each other.
Hey it costs money, but you would pay to maintain your car, you are more important than your car, especially if you have family

[Forage]

Great post. Now that you've outed yourself as a chiropractor get ready for a million stupid questions , starting with this:

I read in an old surf magazine that paddling with your knees bent (feet up in the air) takes some stress off your back and puts it on your abs. The article claimed that switching it up between bent-knee and straight-knee while you're surfing will help you get a bit more mileage on your spine. Does that sound right?

[jaffa1949]

Great post. Now that you've outed yourself as a chiropractor get ready for a million stupid questions , starting with this:

I read in an old surf magazine that paddling with your knees bent (feet up in the air) takes some stress off your back and puts it on your abs. The article claimed that switching it up between bent-knee and straight-knee while you're surfing will help you get a bit more mileage on your spine. Does that sound right?

I don't have a problem for questions and most of them are not stupid most people just don't know, hence the question.
However be aware that answers on this forum can be only A) generic or B) general purpose as anything deeper than that requires face to face history and examination as symptoms of any sort can have many different origins.
Ok that was the dislaimer.
Now your question was a good one!
My answer is go out and observe your body in both positions and keep in mind that many low back problems have component of hamstring injury or lack of flexibility, short answer Yes!
A change in paddling habits evokes different muscle groups so variety is good, also try paddling, alternate arm strokes and paired arm strokes compare drive and shoulder comfort, try keeping a rhythmic beat with your legs bending and unbending while you alternate arms paddle, left arm right, leg type thing, paddle with feet up feet down , knee paddle too if your board will allow that.


My fitness tip for longevity of surfing is to get assessed by a qualified reputable health practitioner . if OK then see somebody who can plan a good fitness regime that strengthens and increases flexible function of the core muscles in the spine and deep abs.
These muscle groups are vital to balance each other in winding up and releasing power through your turns and acting as a shock absorber around your spine which then houses all the action groups of nerves that work your muscles to work your turns and give feedback as to how and where your body is in space relationship to gravity

IN short the fitter your spine and it's muscular support the better you will function, feel and surf.


For this I recommend Pilates, Yoga or sport medicine trained physiotherapists, (hopefully with the knowledge of how surfers work) sports physiologists ( surfing knowledge needed). A surfing chiro would be good too. To design your program.
Expensive, not necessarily, learn the program from basics your qualified teacher and get to the level you believe appropriate for what you wish and keep that program going.

Do it with a group of friends enjoy fitness programs only work if you do them each restart is just that little bit harder.