Paulina Kohlhaas stands next to the treatment bench, reaches around her patient’s lower left leg, and strokes it with slow movements over and over again in the direction of her upper body. The knee bends and stretches in the process. The sports physiotherapist is treating a torn cruciate ligament first thing this morning. “After cruciate ligament surgery, the first thing is to restore mobility in the knee. That’s what we’re working on three times a week at the moment,“ the 26-year-old tells us.

She has turned her hobby into a profession by working as a sports physiotherapist. “I came to this great profession through sports, more specifically tennis,“ she says. “It has always been my dream to work in the sports field.“ Paulina is fascinated by how the body works as a whole – and how people can be impacted through holistic physical therapy.

In Paulina’s job, no two days are the same. Almost every hour, a wide variety of people come to the practice with as many of stories and medical conditions. “No matter what problem, what injury someone has, there is no better feeling than helping people and making sure they are no longer in pain,“ Paulina says. “The positive feedback often stays with me long after the treatment.“

As a sports physiotherapist, however, Paulina doesn’t just work in the practice. Rather, she travels the world. Professionally and privately, with her partner Ruben Zepuntke. Ruben is a professional triathlete, and the world is his home. Training camps, preparations, and competitions – Paulina is there whenever she can. “Through my job, I can support Ruben and make my contribution to his athletic success,“ she says.

During her daily practice routine, Paulina almost never sits. “Together with my patients I do the workouts, sports sessions, personal training,“ she says. And when Paulina is not training herself, she treats her patients on the treatment bench with various techniques. The constant movement, the many ups and downs during work are what she loves about her job.

With so much exercise during work, the right shoes also play a crucial role. It’s only logical that Paulina has “a particularly critical eye when it comes to shoes just because of my profession,“ she says. And smiles. Above all, she pays attention to natural stability and a good footbed.

“I want to be a role model for my patients,“ the therapist says, “because how can I give advice if I don’t follow it myself?“