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Physical Therapy

GC Haarlemmermeer

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Physical therapy treatment

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, aimed at restoring range of motion, reducing pain, and improving overall bodily function through exercises, advice, and training. A physical therapist analyzes the cause of the symptoms and develops a treatment plan with goals, such as learning to move better despite the symptoms, increasing physical capacity, and preventing recurring symptoms.

What does a physical therapist do?

A physical therapist can help with a wide range of mobility issues, such as: 

  • Injuries: For example, from sports or an accident.
  • Illness or surgery: To allow the body to recover and become stronger.
  • Chronic pain: Such as back, neck, or shoulder pain.
  • Conditions: Such as osteoarthritis and rheumatism.
  • Injuries: For example, from sports or an accident.
  • Illness or surgery: To help the body recover and become stronger.
  • Chronic pain: Such as back, neck, or shoulder pain.
  • Conditions: Such as osteoarthritis and rheumatism.

A physical therapist uses various techniques, such as:

  • Exercise therapy: Targeted exercises to strengthen muscles and tendons and improve mobility.
  • Posture Advice: Explanation and training to help you learn proper posture and reduce pain.
  • Mobilization techniques: To make joints more flexible and improve range of motion.
  • Exercise programs: To improve fitness and overall stamina.

The treatment focuses on:

  • Recovery: Helping the body recover faster and more effectively after an injury or illness.
  • Functional improvement: Helping the body function better so that movement becomes easier.
  • Pain relief: Reducing or preventing pain during movement.
  • Prevention: Explaining what you can do on your own to alleviate symptoms and reduce the likelihood of new symptoms developing.

What happens during a physical therapy appointment?

Watch the video below for more information. 

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Merel van Nimwegen

  • Merel van Nimwegen is a pediatric physical therapist. She specializes in treating children with headaches, sensory processing issues, and psychosomatic symptoms. Since 2025, Merel has been working on Fridays at the Paramedical Headache Treatment Center to treat children under the age of 14 who suffer from headaches. She also works in Heemstede: www.kinderfysio-heemstede.nl.
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Linda Pronk

  • Physical therapist specializing in the treatment of jaw pain, headaches, and dizziness. She also specializes in edema therapy and psychosomatic physical therapy.
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Veronique Huisman

  • A manual therapist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with headaches. She has specialized in dry needling as a complementary treatment for neck and head pain. She also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder pain.
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Tim Jongejans

  • Manual therapist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with headaches. He is also pursuing a degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
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Jasper Flick

  • A manual therapist specializing in the treatment of various types of dizziness, including the most common: BPPV. He also treats patients with headaches, spine-related issues, and sports injuries.
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Dr. René Castien

  • Manual therapist, senior researcher at VU University Amsterdam, and consultant at the Paramedical Headache Treatment Center. He earned his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Medicine at VU University Amsterdam for his research on the effectiveness of manual therapy for tension headaches. René oversees and coordinates the collaboration between VU University Amsterdam and the Paramedical Headache Treatment Center on scientific research into headaches.
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Laura de Kam

  • Manual therapist specializing in the treatment of various types of dizziness, including the most common: BPPV. She also treats patients with neck pain, with or without headaches.
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Lotte the Fockert

  • A manual therapist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with headaches. She specializes in dry needling of the neck, jaw, and cervical muscles to complement the treatment of headaches and orofacial complaints. She also treats patients with shoulder pain.
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Andreas Amons

  • Manual therapist specializing in the treatment of patients with headache symptoms. In the Department of General Practice at Amsterdam UMC, he is conducting doctoral research on the effectiveness of manual therapy for migraine.