Chiara: Lymphedema Therapist in Italy
“Be the Change you Want to See in the World” – M. Gandhi
My name is Chiara, I live in Italy, I’m 27 years old and I am a physiotherapist specialized in Oncological Rehabilitation and in the treatment of lymphedema and lipedema.
With lymphology, it’s been love at first sight, I had chosen to undertake this specialty even before I graduated and in these years of study and work, exciting and tiring, I get passionate trying to spread everything I have learned and that I continue to learn with enormous devotion and love.
My education started following the path proposed by the Lymphoedemklinik Wittlinger (Walchsee -Tirol- Austria), one of the most recognized and famous lymphatic clinics in the world, and from there I never stopped, because the need to improve and learn has become a constant goal. My latest international training course was in Aqua Lymphatic Therapy with Dorit Tidhar, which will give an innovative twist to the classical lymphological formation of the Germanic school.
Subsequently, I studied the main medical specialties that revolve around lymphology and oncology (phlebology, aesthetic medicine, plastic and general surgery and wound care), working closely with famous doctors and experts in these specialities by actively participating in congresses and courses both in Italy and abroad.
The period of study abroad and the relationship with foreign and international teachers led me to make greater use of social networks in my work. I opened an Instagram profile (@fisioterapiaelinfologia) and a Facebook page (Bertocco Chiara – Fisioterapia e Linfologia) that allow me to stay in touch with doctors, fellow physiotherapists but above all patients from every part of the world.
The passion and the deep love for my work, the knowledge and the dedication to my patients, pushes me constantly to be interested and to study the innovations that emerge both in the scientific research field and in the market as new products, brands and materials .
I love spending my time with the people I care for because every patient of mine is unique: what I see beyond clinical symptoms is everyone’s personality, emotions, dreams and perspectives. Sometimes I find myself thinking about the extraordinary people I know and whom I see in a timely and constant way for their therapy. In life they are doctors, they are office workers, they are artists, they are pastry chefs, they are fishermen, they save lives by helicopter, they work in a factory, they teach at school … but the only thing I think is that they are exceptional people, each of them, and for this towards them I have a human and professional moral obligation to which I cannot renounce: to be able to offer them the best that exists to help them. And I do this with my knowledge, with training and with my hands which are the direct extension of my heart.
Mind, Hands, Heart. This is my work.
My profession is not simply a “job”, I can’t conceive it as such, because taking care of people is what makes me feel alive. Being the point of reference for a person, being able to help them understand and overcome difficulties (and I assure you that for those who have suffered or suffer from oncological diseases, lymphedema and lipedema, there are many difficulties to overcome!), makes my life whole.
Once Confucius said “Choose a job you love, and you’ ll never work a day in your life”, I can only say he was right!