August is here, and you’re finally on holiday.
No patients. No treatment plans. No thinking about rehab. (At least that’s the idea)
Because when you’re a physiotherapist, completely switching off isn’t always that easy.
Here are seven signs you might be a physio on holiday.
1. You Can’t Stop Analysing People’s Movement
You went to the beach to relax. Five minutes later, you’re watching someone walk past and wondering why they have that much hip drop.
You don’t even mean to do it, it’s just become automatic.
2. You Carry Resistance Bands Everywhere
You probably don’t actually need them, but you packed them anyway.
Because what if you suddenly need to do some glute activation on holiday?
You gotta be prepared.
3. You See a Sports Injury and Immediately Want to Know the Mechanism
You see someone fall off their bike and you immediately think: “Wait, how did they land?”
You want to know what happened, what direction they fell, and what they’re going to do next.
Occupational hazard.
4. Someone Tells You They Have Back Pain and Suddenly You’re Working
You’re having perfectly normal conversation then someone casually mentions: “My back has been hurting lately.”
And suddenly you’re asking questions about when it started, what makes it worse and whether they’ve tried anything for it. Next thing you know you’re mobilizing their low back on the beach.
5. You Judge Hotels by Whether They Have a Decent Gym
The pool looks nice, the breakfast looks great, and the room has an amazing view.
But the real question is: Does the hotel gym have dumbbells?
Bonus points for a cable machine.
6. You Pack More Activewear Than Normal Clothes
You tell yourself you’ll take it easy, and that you’ll pack light. Then you pack running shoes, gym clothes, cycling kit, swimming gear, resistance bands and enough sportswear to train for a triathlon.
7. Your Idea of Relaxing Is Somehow Doing a 10 km Run
“I’m going to have a really relaxed day today.” So of course you wake up early, go for a 10 km run, swim in the sea and walk 15,000 steps.
Maybe Physiotherapists Just Aren’t Very Good at Switching Off
But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. When movement, sport and the human body are part of your everyday life, it’s difficult not to notice them, even when you’re supposed to be on holiday.
And sometimes, the best part of being a physiotherapist is that your curiosity doesn’t switch off when work does.
Just remember to enjoy the holiday too. Your patients will still be there when you get back.
(Just in case!)
Your next holiday could be a little different…
If your idea of a holiday involves staying active, meeting other physiotherapists, exploring somewhere new, and learning along the way, our Physio Camps might be for you.
From running in Kenya to cycling in Girona and surfing in Sri Lanka, our camps bring physiotherapy education and unforgettable experiences together.
Take a look at our upcoming camps and see where your next adventure could take you.