Therapist: Yes, and you can keep your socks and underwear on. I just want you to take off your trousers and put on these shorts.

Peter changes into the shorts and then comes out from behind the screen. Peter: Okay, now what?

Therapist: I would like you to lie on your back on this table with your knees bent a little bit. (Peter lies on the table.) I’ll put this pillow under your knees so you can relax. Is that comfortable?

Peter: Yes, it feels more comfortable with my knees bent like that.

Therapist: Okay, Peter. I would like you to pull up your shorts on the right side so that I can see the top of your thigh. (The therapist motions as if pulling up shorts on herself so that the patient understands what to do.) Peter, I am going to press here slowly. Tell me right away if there is any pain. Okay?

The therapist palpates along the top of the pubic bone towards the ilium.

Peter: Ow! That feels pretty tender.

Therapist: Peter, I’m going to palpate a little further up. (She motions to indicate the direction in which she intends to palpate.) This shouldn’t hurt, but tell me if it is unpleasant.

Peter: No, that feels okay. It’s just down below, where you first touched, that is really painful. Can I play next week?

Therapist: That definitely looks like a psoas strain. We will tape that to make it feel better, but you won’t be able to do any sports for at least a week or two.