02 Sep 2008 – Physical therapist Erik Moen, PT, CSCS, will be heading to Beijing as part of the US Paralympics Cycling team. As the team “soigneur,” he will perform therapy services such as therapeutic massage for the athletes. Moen will discuss his experiences in a blog featured on http://www.apta.org/consumer, the consumer Web page of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Moen, an APTA member, is a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of endurance athletes, specifically cyclists. He has assisted patients in bicycle performance coaching and positioning, retrofitting, injury treatment, exercise planning, and performance.

“I am extremely proud to be assisting the US Paralympics Cycling team,” Moen said. “This is an amazing opportunity that allows me to combine professional and personal goals, and I am excited about sharing these experiences with others.”

The Paralympics will take place in Beijing September 6-17. Moen’s blog will begin by August 29.

Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and manage individuals of all ages, from newborns to elders, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.

Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

The American Physical Therapy Association is a national organization representing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research. Consumers can visit http://www.findapt.us to find a physical therapist in their area, as well as http://www.apta.org/consumer for physical therapy news and information.

American Physical Therapy Association