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Making Movement Happen Physical therapists make sure injured athletes regain the level of performance they had before their injury. Keith Steigbigel

said that PTs are “movement dysfunction specialists.” A key part of their job is studying “movement patterns—what is normal movement and what is abnormal movement.” Based on their knowledge of such fields as physiology and kinesiology, the therapists know when sports- related physical motions such as throwing, kicking, or running are not right. Their goal, working with the athlete, is to bring the motion back to normal by healing and strengthening an injured body part. Since few professional teams have full-time PTs, the therapists often do their work

Using Electricity to Heal Chances are, most people have felt the sharp zing of an electrical shock, even if only from static electricity. From an early age, we learn that electricity can be harmful. But for physical therapists, low levels of electrical current are useful tools. Most PTs use a process called electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to help control pain. A machine that produces low voltages of electricity is attached to an injured limb with small pads. The electricity curbs pain by blocking the pain signal from the nerves in a damaged area. TENS may also stimulate the brain to release its own natural painkillers, called endorphins . Another useful electrical process is called electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), which helps muscles contract to strengthen them.

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C areers O ff T he F ield • Health Careers in Sports