Physiotherapist open practice in Haenertsburg
Haenertsburg born and bred Michelle Kroger (32), known to all as Michi, is establishing her physiotherapy business at one of Dr Richard Gorbaszewicz's rooms behind the village library.
HAENERTSBURG – Kroger (32) studied a four-year physiotherapy course at the University of the Western Cape, specialising in neurophysiotherapy and orthopaedic physiotherapy.
She’d met her husband through the UCT Mountain Club and at the Catholic Church. Ray is a civil/structural engineer involved in water retaining structures and by all accounts a genius inventor. Shortly after completing her studies in 2008 Michi married Ray and they have two children, Beth (5) and Ruben (3).
Michi worked at the Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit from 2009 until 2010. While there, she and Ray went on rock climbing expeditions.
Michi loves running and has completed one marathon and a few trail runs. Her dream is to compete in a 100 km race on a French island.
The couple then moved to Cape Town. Ray studied further and needed to gain more experience. Michi worked in private practice in Hermanus, at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town and in several private practices including with a German physiotherapist called Trixie Blumschein.
Michi wanted to return to the mountain and laughingly says, “I wanted to come home and wanted to refresh my Sepedi.”
Her parents are Nipper and Sylvia Thompson of the cheese fame at Wegraakbosch on the Cheerio Road.
Ray is able to work remotely from the farm and travels to Cape Town occasionally as he’s involved in a waste water treatment that he helped to design.
One of Michi’s areas of success is in treating stroke patients.
Strokes, she says, can be avoided by following a healthy diet. She says the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle are under the spotlight and one of the biggest researches being undertaken is on the harmful effects of sitting for lengthy periods of time.
Michi has also had success in treating spinal cord injuries. One patient was afraid to do anything. He can now sit up by himself with the constant physiotherapy Michi gave him. Home visits, rehabilitation and balance classes are all part of this physiotherapist’s day. She says that back pain is one of the most common complaints. Posture is vital in preventing back pain.
Michi is available at her new rooms Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 08:00-12:30. Prospective patients can also contact her on 072 370 1886 or email her at michi.kroger@gmail.com.
