Gabi Böhle reaches for the backrest of the leg extension machine. One of her patients has just sat down. The sports therapist adjusts the training device, always individually. Always depending on the patient’s height. For ten rehab patients at St. Mauritius Therapy Clinic in Meerbusch the first group therapy session of the day is about to begin. Strength training is on the agenda. “The goal of the therapy sessions is to help patients regain a sense of their bodies,” Gabi explains.

All participants in the sports therapy sessions have neurological impairments, i.e., they suffer from diseases of the nervous system and the muscles. Some are recovering from a stroke or a traumatic brain injury. Others have nerve diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s. As diverse as the clinical pictures are, the recovery process is equally individual. “Those affected cannot be compared with each other – even if they have the same diagnosis and the same age,” says Gabi.

The therapist explains how important group therapy is, despite the individuality, because of the social interaction. “Neurological diseases often put a strain on the mind as well as on the body. Knowing that rehab doesn’t have to be endured alone can be incredibly helpful.” For this reason, the sports therapist is in demand throughout the day, not only as a trainer and motivator, but especially as a contact and reference person.

Gabi accompanies her patients throughout their rehab stay at the clinic. Depending on the severity of the impairment and on the individual recovery progress, patients stay for about three weeks. And longer. “In order to be able to ensure the best possible recovery, the patients are cared for and treated holistically,” Gabi explains. To this end, they each get an individual rehab plan. In addition to the exercise therapies led by the sports therapists, those affected also receive treatment in speech therapy, neuropsychology, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.

Neurological impairments of the nervous system can have a direct impact on the patients’ mobility. Most of them can no longer use their muscles in a targeted manner – and become less mobile as a result. “Many are in wheelchairs when they start therapy. It’s great to see them leave the clinic on their own two feet at the end of their rehab,” says Gabi, adding that it feels great to be able to help people who need this kind of support. 

On the other hand, she says, cases with little prospect of recovery are particularly stressful. Sometimes the damage suffered is too severe, and a full recovery is not possible. “In the case of particularly severe illnesses, the main goal is to alleviate the symptoms and to slow down the progression of the diseases,” Gabi explains. To achieve this, she and her colleagues work hard every day.

During the sports therapy sessions, they are constantly on their feet, rushing from patient to patient during the strength training circuit, joining in the walking during the endurance sessions, or working from the edge of the pool as exercise instructors during the aqua training. And Gabi’s body feels it, too. The therapist realized early on how important comfortable sports shoes are for her work. “There’s no question about it, in my job I need shoes with a lot of cushioning.”

During her workday, Gabi not only covers thousands of steps, but is also exposed to other physical stress. Since many patients have limited mobility, they need help moving from the wheelchair to the exercise equipment and back. That requires a lot of strength. “There are days that I feel after work, as soon as my body has wound down a bit,” she tells us.

Not only then, but especially on days like that, Gabi still tries to get out. Being outside, she immediately notices how the fresh air helps her clear her head.