Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science

Professional Background
Dr. Sharma’ clinical background is in orthopedics and manual therapy. She primarily teaches courses in the orthopedic tract,, including Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I and II in the DPT curriculum and Evidence-based Orthopedic Rehabilitation in the post-professional DPT curriculum. She is also currently a staff physical therapist for services in the Silver City Health Clinic.

Academic Background
Dr. Sharma began her academic career at the University of Jodhpur in India by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. She completed a Master of Science in Physical Therapy at KU Medical Center in 2000 and received manual therapy certification from the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy, Inc. (NAIOMT) in 2004. In 2008, Dr. Sharma earned her doctorate from KU's PhD in Rehabilitation Science program.

Research Focus
Investigation of biochemical and neural mechanisms contributing to chronic pain syndromes and exercise training. Dr. Sharma is interested in examining central sensitization and effects of exercise training on the central nervous system.

Recent Projects
Completed dissertation project defining muscle pain at the peripheral and spinal cord sites and  the effects of exercise training on neurotrophin-3 and pain-like behavior in an animal model of fibromyalgia. Current work seeks to examine central sensitization from chronic low back pain and exercise-induced modulation of chronic pain at cortical regions.  This work is being conducted at Hoglund Brain Imaging Center and George Holland Metabolic, Strength and Energy Lab.

Collaborators
Carmen Cirstea, MD, PhD
Kenneth McCarson, PhD
Douglas Wright, PhD
Janice Loudon, PT, PhD

Lab Sites

Georgia Holland Metabolic, Strength and Energy Lab

The major goal of ongoing research in this lab is to improve the health and wellness of people with chronic disease or disability.

Hoglund Brain Imaging Center

The Hoglund Brain Imaging Center (HBIC) at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) brings together a unique combination of neuroimaging technologies under one roof. By providing an environment where basic and clinical neuroscientists can work together to integrate structural and functional approaches to the assessment of the brain in both health and disease, HBIC functions as a regional resource engaged in activities at the forefront of neuroscientific endeavors.