SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND RUNNER:
"THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOUR JOB PHYSICALLY STRAINS YOU IS IN YOUR OWN HANDS"
For hours, Daniela Wiefhoff runs through the halls and corridors of Johanna-Etienne Hospital in Neuss. The 28-year-old is a resident physician specializing in orthopedics and trauma surgery. "I just function while I'm at work," she says. What matters most to her are her patients. Her own needs? They take a back seat. This is a portrait of a doctor who manages the high workload and mental stress through triathlon training sessions.
A normal workday starts early in the morning for Paulina Kohlhaas; many of her patients need to head directly to work after their treatment. The sports physiotherapist works as a freelancer in a physiotherapy practice. Here, the 26-year-old treats athletes who are recovering from injuries, undergoing rehabilitation, or in need of stabilization training. As diverse as the people she deals with daily are, so are their injuries. "Every day, I encounter new medical conditions, and treatment methods are constantly evolving – in physiotherapy, you never stop learning," she says. This is a portrait of a sports physiotherapist who combines her greatest hobby – sports – with her profession, allowing her to travel the world together with her partner.
Paulina Kohlhaas stands beside the treatment table, reaching around her patient's left lower leg and gently stroking it towards the upper body with slow movements. The knee flexes and extends during the process. This morning, the sports physiotherapist is treating a cruciate ligament tear as her first case. "After a cruciate ligament surgery, the initial focus is on restoring knee mobility. We are currently working on this three times a week," the 26-year-old explains.
She has managed to turn her hobby into a profession as a sports physiotherapist. "I got into this fantastic profession through sports, specifically tennis," she says. "Working in the sports field has always been my dream." Paulina is fascinated by how the body functions as a whole and how a holistic approach to physiotherapy can influence a person.
In Paulina's profession, no two days are the same. Almost every hour, a diverse array of people with different stories and medical conditions come into the practice. "No matter what problem or injury someone has, there is no better feeling than helping people and ensuring they are free from pain," says Paulina. "The positive feedback often stays with me long after the treatment."
However, as a sports physiotherapist, Paulina's work doesn't just confine her to the practice. Instead, she travels the world both professionally and privately, accompanied by her partner, Ruben Zepuntke. Ruben is a professional triathlete, and the world is his home. Training camps, preparations, and competitions – Paulina is there whenever possible. "Through my profession, I can support Ruben and contribute to his athletic success," says the 26-year-old.
During the daily practice routine, Paulina rarely sits down. "I do the training, sports sessions, and personal training together with my patients," she says. And when she's not training alongside them, she treats her patients at the treatment table using various techniques. The constant movement and the ups and downs during her work are what she loves most about her job.
PROVIDE RELIEF,
WHENEVER YOU NEED IT
"I am active all day long – comfortable, healthy shoes are crucial," says sports physiotherapist Paulina Kohlhaas. Thanks to the patented U-TECH™ technology, the U-TECH White Nevos reduces stress on the knee and Achilles tendon by up to 10%, providing less muscle fatigue. It's perfect for all situations where you spend a lot of time on your feet. Experience the U-TECH White Nevos.
BEING A ROLE MODEL
With so much physical activity during work, having the right shoes plays a crucial role. It's only logical that Paulina has "a particularly critical eye when it comes to shoes" solely based on her profession, she says with a smile. Above all, she pays attention to natural stability and good arch support.
"I want to be a role model for my patients," says the 26-year-old, "because how can I give advice if I don't follow it myself?"
When she's on her bike, running through the city, or diving into the swimming pool, Daniela can disconnect and forget about the daily hospital routine and all the stressful experiences. "Especially after a long, intense workday, I need to clear my mind. Sport becomes like therapy for me," explains the 28-year-old.
Even though she is physically exhausted time and time again, Daniela primarily battles with something entirely different: the mental strain. The more difficult and impactful the experiences, the more she feels a sense of emptiness. Training helps her process the day. "It's through sports that I find myself again," she says. And that's important so that she can rush through the hospital corridors the next day once more.