Ryan Chiro & the PGA

Randolph chiropractor Ryan has Bjorn's back

BY JIM NAMIOTKA

DAILY RECORD

RANDOLPH--A Morris County chiropractor can take at least a little credit for Thomas Bjorn's record-setting round Saturday at the PGA Championship.

Dr. Patrick Ryan was with patients Monday morning when he received a call from a colleague in London whose own client, a professional golfer in North Jersey for teh PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, was in pain.

The patient was Bjorn, who drove straight to Dr. Ryan's practice on Route 10 in Randolph, complaining of a restriction in his neck that kept him from turning his head properly in his swing.

Using information provided by Bjorn's London chiropractor and a scan of his own, Dr. Ryan diagnosed a subluxation of the first thoracic vertebra -- the point where the head and the shoulders meet --which prevented proper rotation.

The result was a severe muscle spasm at the base of Bjorn's neck.

Dr. Ryan performed an adjustment, prescribed ice and told the golfer to come back the next day.

By Tuesday evening, a new scan showed Bjorn's imbalance had improved from severe to mild.

The golfer told Ryan he felt "fantastic."

On Saturday, Bjorn shot a 7-under-par 63 -- tied for the best round ever in a major tournament.

In interviews, the Danish pro credited a new swing.  But did his chiropractor also play a role?

"It's quite possible, if left uncorrected, (the pain) could have kept today from happening," Ryan said Saturday afternoon.  "I helped the man be able to do his job ... to do what he needed to do."