Cohen Gunn, 15, loves playing sports. So when a stress fracture in spring 2023 derailed his summer baseball season and a thumb injury in December 2023 threatened to do the same for spring baseball this year, Cohen knew he needed some extra help. That help came through physical therapy with Jake Thompson, DPT, regional manager of rehabilitation services for The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend.
“I was throwing while warming up for baseball practice and I felt a pop in my shoulder,” said Cohen, who pitches and plays center field. “It was really painful, and I couldn’t keep playing.” Angie Gunn, Cohen’s mother, took Cohen to see his physician, family and sports medicine specialist Tom Dagg, MD, after a couple of her friends recommended him.
Dr. Dagg diagnosed the shoulder injury – a stress fracture in his growth plate – and prescribed rehabilitation. “I’m glad I could help Cohen get the help he needed in a timely fashion,” said Dr.
Dagg. “My nurse, Jenny Parker, is outstanding at recognizing urgent needs communicated to her from the community, and this isn’t the first time her skill has resulted in better care for our patients.” Motivation drives healing While Cohen was grateful that he didn’t need surgery, he did have to rest his shoulder before he could begin rehabilitation.
Once he was ready for physical therapy, Cohen started working with Thompson, who is also Cohen’s pitching coach. “I was worried with the shoulder specifica.
