Editor of the month July 2026 | Sophia Elina Potthoff

We are delighted to introduce one of our newest volunteer editors, Sophia Elina Potthoff, whose belief in the power of movement and its deep connection to mental wellbeing shines through everything she does. Passionate about empowering people to discover movement that feels meaningful and sustainable, Sophia brings warmth, curiosity and a commitment to evidence-based practice to Physiopedia’s global knowledge-sharing mission. Get to know one of our newest contributors this month.

How long have you been volunteering with Physiopedia? I have been working with the Physiopedia team for 3 months now.

Whereabouts in the world are you based? I live and work in Dresden, Germany.

Where did you go to university/college? I studied for my Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Physiotherapy at Dresden International University in Germany, as part of a dual study program combining academic education with extensive practical clinical training.

Where do you work? I work in a private physiotherapy practice in Dresden, and see mostly orthopaedic patients.

What is the most rewarding part of being a clinician, or working with Physiopedia? At the beginning of my career as a clinician, I really struggled with human interactions, as they were something I didn’t always feel comfortable with. However, that never stopped me from pursuing my dream of becoming a physiotherapist. Today, the human connection is actually one of the things I love most about my profession. I value the variety in my work, the opportunity to hear so many different stories and get to know people from all walks of life, as well as the constant opportunity to develop my expertise. These are also qualities I have found within Physiopedia.

What are some of the more challenging aspects about your work? One of the more challenging aspects of my work is the tight schedule we often have due to the way the healthcare system in Germany is structured. We simply don’t have enough time with each patient, which can sometimes leave me with the feeling that the focus is more on getting through the workload than on providing the quality of care I would ideally like to give.

What are some of your professional passions? I’m particularly passionate about the active and exercise-based side of physiotherapy. I enjoy taking a hands-off approach and empowering people to experience for themselves that being active and moving isn’t a personality trait or something that is only for “sporty” people. It’s an essential part of our physical and mental wellbeing. I also really enjoy incorporating mental health aspects into my work, as I believe that physical and mental wellbeing are closely connected. You’ll probably find me in the gym more often than in the treatment room, as I love helping people discover movement in a way that feels meaningful, enjoyable and sustainable for them.

What are a few of your personal passions? I love living an active lifestyle. You’ll mostly find me cycling or running, but I’m also someone who can be convinced to try almost anything if you make it sound appealing! I also enjoy taking part in a cycling or running event each year, as having a specific goal to work towards helps keep me motivated and makes training even more enjoyable.

What would be your advice to a newly graduating physiotherapist or professional? My advice would be not to put too much pressure on yourself at the beginning. It can feel extremely overwhelming and intimidating when you’re starting out, but it does get easier once you find your own workflow and become more confident in your role. Placements can also be stressful, but I think the most important thing is to observe, ask questions and learn from the people around you. At the same time, take the opportunity to figure out what kind of physiotherapist you want to become. You don’t have to copy one particular approach or clinician. You can take what you like from different people and gradually develop your own style and clinical identity.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? That’s a difficult question, because ultimately, I just want to be happy and to build a life that feels right for me. Professionally, I could see myself having completed a Master’s degree in Sport Science or working as a lecturer in physiotherapy education. Personally, I hope to be living somewhere that allows me to fully embrace my love for the outdoors, exploring and enjoying an active lifestyle with my husband. For me, success in 5 years would be a balance between doing meaningful work, continuing to learn and having a life that makes me genuinely happy.

What attracted you to joining Physiopedia? I’m keen to keep developing my knowledge so that I can become the clinician I want to be. Coming from Germany, where physiotherapy education traditionally does not always follow the same academic pathway as in other countries, I wanted to strengthen my scientific background and develop a more evidence-based approach to my clinical practice. Physiopedia really appealed to me because it offers the opportunity to keep learning, engage with current evidence and connect what I learn with my clinical work. It felt like a great way to continue developing both professionally and academically.

What are the best things about being part of Physiopedia? The lovely and supportive community.💜

What Physiopedia page are you most proud of? My page on Mastitis and Breast Abscess in Lactating Women.

Anything else you would like to share? One thing I would like to share is how grateful I am to be part of a profession that gives me so many opportunities to keep learning and growing. Physiotherapy has allowed me to combine my passion for movement, science and working with people, while constantly challenging me to become a better clinician. I’m excited to see where this profession takes me and to keep learning from the people and communities around me along the way.