A Late bloomer in Physiotherapy

My Journey to my Passion and my Profession

My path to physiotherapy was anything but straightforward, but every diversions contributed to the therapist I am today. It was a quest that eventually brought me to a place where I found my passion, and gave my life a new direction.

After graduating from HHC-Tervuren in 1997, I started looking for a field of study that would suit me. Physiotherapy was at the top of my list, but the long waiting lists dampened my enthusiasm. So I decided to choose my second love: translator-interpreter at the E.I.I. in Mons. It was a tough study that enriched me with Italian and additional German, but in the end I discovered that this was not my vocation.

After a year of interim jobs, during which I realised that a secondary diploma did not open many doors, I enlisted the help of a career coach. Thanks to thorough tests, I started training as a Librarian-Documentalist at the I.E.S.S.I.D. in Brussels and later in Dutch at the De Nobel Institute in Leuven. However, life turned out differently, and working as a postman in Hoeilaart proved to be incompatible with my studies, forcing me to discontinue them.

My search for a stable future took me to various workplaces: from the Ikea Zaventem depot, a flower shop, to four years as a driver for the disabled at Taxi Hendriks. It was only during this period that my interest in physiotherapy flared up again. After a difficult period - the loss of my home, a divorce, and the birth of my daughter - I decided to study physiotherapy again in 2006.

Studying as Therapy

Studying became my therapy. I had finally found my passion and could make my work my vocation. My training included several techniques, but I specialised in Godelieve Denys-Struyf's muscle chains (GDS). This method makes the link between psyché and body and strives for balance between different muscle chains, both preventive and curative. I took this holistic approach into my work as a physiotherapist.

I gained my first experience in rest homes, where the focus was mainly on classical physiotherapy. Soon, however, I noticed that the holistic approach of GDS was not always appreciated, which eventually led me to private practice. There I was given the space to further develop my ideas.

Training courses and specialisations

My desire to develop myself further led me to study Manual Trigger Point Therapy at the David G. Simons Academy. This was a true revelation for me. My intuitive sense of tracking trigger points was now scientifically confirmed. Although these treatments can sometimes be painful, they proved incredibly effective.

My most recent specialisation is Souchard's Global Postural Rehabilitation (GPR), a technique that delves further into muscle chains. Through gentle, slow stretching and attention to breathing, corrections are made to connective tissue. This technique is even used by top teams such as Real Madrid.

During my work, I also discovered the importance of scar treatment. Treating scars after mastectomies, abdominal surgery, severe fractures or burns is essential to prevent scar tissue from obstructing surrounding structures and hindering movement. This is something I want to delve further into with an upcoming course in the future.

Neurological Pathologies in Physiotherapy

Another important part of my work is treating neurological pathologies. Neurological conditions range from strokes and Parkinson's disease to multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy and problems with nerves and the spine. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in restoring functions, such as improving muscle strength, mobility, balance and coordination.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Early intervention is essential in neurological disorders. Physiotherapy not only helps restore function after a stroke, for example, but can also slow the progression of conditions such as Parkinson's or MS. The physiotherapist's role then is to promote motor learning, improve muscle strength and restore mobility. In my practice, I use techniques such as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), neuromuscular training and rehabilitation exercises to improve patients' functioning.

The aim of physiotherapy is not only to improve mobility, but also to reduce pain and promote independence. All this contributes to a better quality of life for the patient.

My Approach as a Physiotherapist

In my practice, I combine different techniques to offer holistic and global treatment. I strongly believe in listening to the patient; the best therapy starts with understanding their needs. Using muscle chains, trigger point therapy, neurological rehabilitation and postural rehabilitation, I offer an approach that treats not only the symptoms, but also the underlying causes.

My goal is always to help my patients take control of their own recovery process. I actively involve them in their rehabilitation process, so that over time they are not completely dependent on my treatments. In this process, I also encourage the need to continue practising at home, because I believe proprioception is our 'sixth sense', and it can never be over-stimulated.

I am also an advocate of calisthenics, using our own body weight to strengthen muscles. We can achieve a lot with little equipment, as long as we emphasise progressiveness and give each individual space to work at his or her own level.

Outside the Practice: My Passions

Besides my work as a physiotherapist, there are several activities that energise me and give me great satisfaction. Spending time with my girlfriend brings me a lot of connection and joy, as well as keeping in touch with family and friends. Skiing, a passion I inherited from my father, and snowboarding, which I later discovered, are two activities that bring me immense pleasure. Paragliding, hike & fly and the dream of going full-bivouac are adventures that mean freedom and excitement for me.

Weekly frisbee training, tournaments and Belgian championships give me both satisfaction and competition, while hiking, gardening and music-making offer me peace and creativity.

Conclusion

For me, physiotherapy is not just a profession, but a passion. It is a constant journey of learning and growing so that I can provide the best possible care to my patients. Each of my experiences has helped me become the therapist I am today, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my knowledge and techniques to help others improve their health and quality of life.