Man Ther. 2002 Aug; 7(3): 168-72.

Thoracic pain in a collegiate runner.

Austin GP, Benesky WT.

Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science, Sacred Heart University Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. austing@sacredheart.edu

This case study describes the process of examination, re-examination, and intervention for a collegiate runner with mechanical thoracic pain preventing athletic participation and limiting daily function. Unimpaired function fully returned in less than 3 weeks with biweekly sessions to re-establish normal and painfree thoracic mechanics via postural hygiene, exercise, mobilization, and manipulation. The outcome of this case study supports the original hypothesis that the pattern of impairments was in fact responsible for the functional limitations and disability in this athlete. At the time of publication the athlete was without functional limitations and had fully returned to competitive sprinting for the university track team.