Physiotherapy plays a vital role in supporting athletes, especially runners, in maintaining peak performance and preventing injuries. To shed light on this important profession, the following interview features Gesia Birgen, a qualified physiotherapist and graduate of Nakuru KMTC, who shares her insights into injury prevention, recovery, and the unique challenges women face in the field.
My eleven-year-old daughter conducted this interview.
B: To begin, please introduce yourself and your profession.
Gesia: Hello, my name is Gesia Birgen, and I am a qualified physiotherapist from Nakuru KMTC.
Importance of a Physiotherapy to runners
B: Nice. Question one: How important is a physio to runners?
Gesia: Physiotherapists play a crucial role for runners by helping to prevent, rehabilitate, and manage injuries.
B: Question number two: How many times per month should runners visit a physiotherapist?
Gesia: The frequency with which runners should see a physiotherapist depends on their specific needs. You might visit a physiotherapist for rehabilitation after an injury, for injury prevention and maintenance, or for strength and endurance training. For example, during the acute phase of injury recovery, you may need to go three times a week, then gradually reduce the frequency as you progress.
In the second and third weeks, you can reduce your visits to twice or once a week. If your goal is to build strength, endurance, or stability, visiting a physiotherapist once or twice over a four to six-week period may be sufficient.
For injury prevention, a single visit within 4 to 6 weeks may be sufficient. However, if you are recovering from an injury, it is common to go regularly—about three times a week—during the acute phase, and then reduce the frequency as you improve.
Now you can reduce the number of times you see a physical therapist to maybe 2 times a week, and later on to 1 time. And then you are cleared to go back to function.
B: Question number three: What are the common injuries associated with running the most common injuries associated with running?
Gesia: Common running injuries include iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendon tendinopathy, runner’s knee, and hamstring strains. To minimise the risk of injury, runners should wear proper clothing and well-fitting, stable shoes. Unstable shoes can increase the risk of falls. It is also important to perform proper warm-ups before running events and to do cool-downs and stretching afterwards.
B: Okay. Question number five: Is physio necessary for muscle recovery?
Gesia: Physio plays a major role in speeding up muscle recovery through cryotherapy. Specific modalities that we use to facilitate muscle recovery.
Challenges faced by women physiotherapists
B: Question number six: Is it a must for a physio to be built strong?
Gesia: A physical therapist’s physique does not determine their skill. In physiotherapy, technique and knowledge are more important than physical strength. Most treatments rely on expertise rather than force, and assistive devices such as walkers and wheelchairs are available when needed. While some strength is useful, large muscles are not required for the profession.
Question seven: What are the challenges for women physiotherapists?
Gesia: The biggest challenge faced by women physiotherapists is persistent community stereotypes that view physiotherapy as a job requiring great physical strength, and therefore as men’s work. In reality, many patients recover successfully under the care of female physiotherapists because the job relies on knowledge and technique rather than brute strength.
This interview with Gesia Birgen highlights the invaluable role physiotherapists play in supporting runners, from injury prevention and recovery to enhancing overall performance. Gesia’s insights also shed light on the importance of technique and knowledge in the field, as well as the need to challenge stereotypes—especially those faced by women physiotherapists.
By prioritising proper care and expert guidance, athletes can remain healthy, resilient, and empowered in their pursuits.
I sincerely thank Gesia for sparing the time for this valuable interview.