Steve Karas, PT, DSc, CMPT, BS; ATr Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS)

Photo of Steve Karas
Professor
412-365-2798
Eastside - 208

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Joined Chatham: 2008

ACADEMIC AREAS OF INTEREST

Mechanisms of manual therapy, manual therapy of the spine, the effect of nutrition on low back pain, and effective methods of teaching spinal mobilization.

PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST

Cycling, Hockey, Travel, Coffee

EDUCATION
  • DSc, Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI) 2011
  • MPT, Chatham University, (Pittsburgh, PA) 1996
  • MA, Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) 1994
  • BS, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) 1991

ORGANIZATIONS
  • American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy: Research Committee, Education Committee
  • International Federation of Manipulative Therapy: International Monitoring Resource Chair
  • North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
  • Garrett D. Kearns G. Karas S. Manual Therapy Considerations for Adhesive Capsulitis in the Breast Cancer Population: A Clinical Perspective. JMMT (2025)
  • McKenzie B. Ferreira G. Haas R. Gorelik A. Maher C. Buchbinder R. Karas S. et.al. Development of an internationally agreed national minimum dataset for low back pain: a modified Delphi study. Spine, (2025)
  • Keter D. Bialosky J. Brochetti K. Courtney C. Funabashi M. Karas S. Learman K. Cook C. The Mechanisms of Manual Therapy: A Review of systematic, narrative, and scoping reviews. PLOS ONE. DOI: (2025)
  • Cook C. O’Halloran B. Karas S. Klopper M. Young J. Treatment Fidelity in Clinical Trials. Archives of Physical Therapy. (2024)
  • Kearns G. Windsor B. Karas S. Lehr M. Robic B. Sheldon A. Do United States Physical Therapy Pre-Professional Programs Integrate the IFOMPT Cervical Framework? Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy. (2024)
  • Karas S. Living Better with Low Back Pain. Oxford Press. (2024)
  • Fulton J. Carrillo A. Karas S. An Anti-Inflammatory Diet Compliments Physical Therapy Care of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case Study. Clin Image Case Rep J. (2024)
  • Karas S. The Demonization of the demonization of manual therapy. JOSPT online. (2023)
  • Karas S. Windsor B. Redefining Specificity in Orthopedic Manual Therapy: A case for being as specific as you can be, knowing you are not as specific as you think you are. JOSPT online. (2022)
  • Sheldon A. Karas S. Adverse effects of extremity manipulation: A scoping review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. (2022)
  • Brown J. Alexander D. Kearns G. Karas S. The Neurophysiological Effects of Cervical and Thoracolumbar Manipulation on Shoulder range of motion in Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome. Journal of Novel Physiotherapies. (2022)
  • Moses J. Karas S. Evaluation and treatment of trigeminal symptoms of cervical origin following a motor vehicle crash: A case report with 9 months follow-up. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. (2022)
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
  • Dunn M. Lewis S. Mitchell A. Muders S. Karas S. Approaches to Reduce Opioid Use in Patients with Acute and Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review. American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. (Reno, NV) 2025.
  • Conty J. Gannon T. Koller J. Wagner O. Karas S. Comparison of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization to Traditional Manual Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain: A Scoping Review. American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. (Reno, NV) 2025.
  • Chappie J. Lamison M. Nowak J. Karas S. Keeter D. Specific versus Nonspecific Mobilization Techniques of the Cervical Spine. AAOMPT. (Orlando, FL) 2024.
  • Chapple C. Farrell G. Sampath K. Karas S. Can you learn spinal manipulation online? Student perceptions about online and in-person teaching of a lumbosacral manipulation. IFOMPT. (Basel, Switzerland) 2024.
  • Karas S. Woollard J. Miller H. Stokes R. Validation of a Tool Assessing Fidelity in Orthopedic Manual Therapy: A Delphi-Survey of Experts. IFOMPT. (Basel, Switzerland) 2024.
  • Kearns G. Karas S. Sheldon A. Windsor B. Implementation of International IFOMPT Cervical Framework into Musculoskeletal Cervical Vascular Screening Curricula in United States Physical Therapist Professional Degree Programs. AAOMPT. (St. Louis, MO) 2023.
  • Karas S. Flouris A. Dinas P. Eat, Move, improve: Using nutrition to lessen inflammation and complement PT management of CLBP. AAOMPT. (San Diego, CA) 2022.
  • Biernacki J. Pierce E. Unger R. Woollard J. Karas S. Use of Joint Mobilization After Total Joint Arthroplasty of the Knee, Hip, and Shoulder: A Scoping Review of the Literature. AAOMPT. (San Diego, CA) 2022.
  • Hill E. Kinney S. Karas S. Pain Neuroscience Education May Enhance the Effects of Manual Therapy in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Scoping Review. AAOMPT. (San Diego, CA) 2022.
  • Jacobson C. Moses J. Karas S. Effects of AC Joint Manipulation on Shoulder Pain, Range of Motion and Outcomes: A Case Series. AAOMPT. (San Diego, CA) 2022.
 CERTIFICATIONS 
 AWARDS
  • American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT): Excellence in Research 2025
  • AAOMPT: Fellowship Honor 2024
  • AAOMPT: Platform Presentation Award
  • AAOMPT Cardon Research Grant
  • Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association: Research Award
  • Journal of National Athletic Trainers Association: Outstanding Manuscript
ACHIEVEMENTS