What does a physiotherapist do?

Examination of patients: Whether it is paralysis or pain - before treating a patient, he or she must first be examined. Different methods are used for different parts of the body: For example, there are different examination techniques to check the mobility of the shoulder joint.

Planning the treatment: After a hip operation, certain muscles need to be trained - especially in the back and legs. The choice of exercises to be performed and the duration of the treatment depend on the course of the disease. A treatment plan is drawn up and updated regularly to follow all stages of treatment.

Treatment of patients: Checking the strength in the knee after an operation or explaining the application of a therapy ball after an arm injury - as a physiotherapist, we are familiar with different complaints and treatment methods of medical gymnastics. We apply them with patients and correct harmful movements.

Documenting the results : Have there been any improvements or even setbacks during the treatment? Physiotherapists document symptoms, outcomes, patient behaviour and treatment methods. Depending on the practice, these may be therapy reports that can be completed or edited online.

Counseling clients : The invention relates to a skeletal model to show how treatment, for example in the arm, can have an effect or what measures should be taken in addition to therapy. In addition, one motivates one's patients to do the exercises regularly and is also the first point of contact in case of pain or problems during the treatment.

Where can I work as a physiotherapist?

As a physiotherapist, you work in the health and social care sector.

Your places of use at a glance:

• doctors' surgeries
• physiotherapy practices
• hospitals
• clinics
• retirement homes
• Sports halls
• Spa hotels

What are the physiotherapist's hours like?

The hours depend on where you work. If you work in a practice, you work on weekdays, for example from 9am to 6pm. In a hospital, however, shift work is not uncommon. As a rule, you have an eight-hour day, with overtime sometimes occurring.

What work clothes do physiotherapists wear?

In clinics or practices, outer and underwear may be mandatory and match the clothing of the rest of the staff. Physiotherapists often wear white trousers and T-shirts and sports shoes, as they are actively involved in the physical therapy of their patients.

What does a physiotherapist learn at the vocational school?

In the theoretical part, it is about the construction of the human body, a knowledge of the different treatment and study techniques and training. During the practical phases of the vocational school, a lot of time is spent in training rooms or gymnasiums, for example with therapy rooms, mattes and lymphocytes. There you use different treatment techniques with your students.

First year of training:

Anatomy: Joints, bones and muscles - as a physiotherapist on break, you learn everything about human anatomy. This includes not only German, but above all Latin names.

Physiology: In this field, you learn how the body functions and how all the organs interact in the body.

Second year of training:

Practice: In this area, the basic concepts of learning, causes of illness and diseases are explained. In addition, symptoms such as a change in the colour of the skin in certain internal injuries are pointed out.

Treatment techniques: In physiotherapy, there are a variety of treatment techniques, for example jaw joint treatment or thermal applications. This is where the most common methods are discovered.

Third year of training : :

Prevention: Preventive physiotherapy is an important part of the training. In this area we learn about preventive exercises and how to build up the muscles as efficiently as possible.

Rehabilitation : Whether it is an accident or an illness, rehabilitation is about preventing "malfunctions" and restoring the body's natural functions.

The different forms of treatment are taught by professional schools.

What does a physiotherapist learn in practice?

During the training, several placements are carried out, usually at different locations. Each school has its own rules concerning the practical phases. In the end, however, a total of 1600 practical hours must be completed.

In practice, you learn about medical specialities such as neurology, accidental surgery or orthopaedics. Patients are examined, treated and cared for. They apply their knowledge of body functions and general therapeutic processes. In addition, in the presence of the trainers, different treatment methods such as health gymnastics, electrotherapy or massage can be applied, as well as preventive measures such as muscle strengthening sessions.