Surfing is fairly gentle on the body, but even it has its occupational hazards. After 45 years on a surfboard, I have developed everything from surfer’s ear to bad posture, and am always on the lookout for ways to correct the problems caused by all that fun. One of the quickest and best remedies I’ve found is neuromuscular deep-tissue therapy.

Some would call it accidental, others might refer to it as a “divine appointment.” Either way, my meeting Gene Metcalf helped me realize, and correct, something about myself that I didn’t realize: I was crooked and getting more so.

After first meeting Metcalf at LA Fitness, we exchanged information and I was soon on my way to his office for my first treatment. Unlike many of his clients, I was not in any pain and was there more out of curiosity than need. Or so I thought. After measuring my hips and shoulders, which were about an inch and a half different from floor to socket, it was determined that I was in need of correction.

Using a combination of Swedish stress-relief massage, advanced deep-tissue massage and rehabilitative sports massage, Metcalf customizes his technique to exceed treating symptoms — he gets to the core of correcting posture. The procedure was not exactly painless, and I quickly realized that his powerful hands, which are a source of healing, could also cause some pain.

Knowing this, Metcalf calmly asked, “On a scale of one to 10, let me know how painful this is.” I redlined at a high four, with a sensation somewhere in between having a softball gently pushed into my back and having someone stand on the ball. Whenever I mentioned feeling pain, Metcalf immediately reduced the pressure and I was once again relaxed. It was an ouch, but not big ouch.

The entire procedure took an hour and a half and while results were immediate, with most of my problem corrected in that one visit, I was left with a feeling of slight intoxication. It was the result, I am told, of the toxins that were stored in the body for who knows how long being released into the system, and the increased blood flow, which Metcalf compares to taking the kinks out of a garden hose.

After two days of soreness, comparable to that of hard workout, I felt more limber, stronger and more focused, just as Metcalf said I would.

He has worked with numerous pro athletes and surfers including young aspiring local pro Gary Strahle. Just last year, Strahle faced the possibility of never competing again after his shoulder repeatedly popped out of place while surfing.

Strahle had suffered about a dozen such dislocations, but resisted surgery until his shoulder became unhinged when just paddling into a wave. “I finally decided to get surgery, and between the time of that last dislocation and my operation, I met Gene. He worked on me and strengthened my shoulder to the point that it never came out again,” Strahle said. “After the surgery, I began seeing Gene regularly, and within four months, I was able to do a 6-mile paddle, with no problems. I feel a lot more strength in my shoulders and my back and even a lot more clarity in my thinking.”

Aside from shoulders, one of the main problems surfers face is in the upper back, which is caused by paddling while lifting the neck. Knees, shoulders and other back problems also affect most longtime surfers. One way or another we all end up being out of alignment, but this, I now believe, is treatable.

For more information on Metcalf’s work, visit www.goldentouchtherapy.com.