Meet Lavina Mital

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

My first thoughts of Physiotherapy as a high school student – 'they are the people that give massages right???'

As it turns out, Physiotherapy is so much more than just massages. I am a fourth year student studying a Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy degree at Western Sydney University. When it came to choosing a career, I wasn't clear on the specific job. What I did know was that I had a passion for human health and enjoyed helping improve people's well being. With this knowledge in mind, I chose to pursue a career in Physiotherapy and can safely say there have been no regrets!

Over the course of my studies, I have grown to love Physiotherapy more each day as I learn about the wider role that I will play in our community and health care system. I have learnt that we save bodies. I have learnt that after a fracture, amputation, surgery, chronic injury, congenital disease (disease you are born with) or serious acute illness, physiotherapists are the first primary health care providers to be referred to. We help the individual with their recovery and return to daily life activities such as work and sport.

During my clinical placements, I have helped return numerous people of varying ages to their functional independence and, for me, there is nothing more rewarding.

What inspires me most about working as a physiotherapist is how much people trust us. We work very closely with patients on a daily basis, so much that we often become their companion and confidant. While I worked at Nepean, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Wollongong Hospital as well as Rehab HQ private practice I have been exposed to some very confronting and heartbreaking stories. I love that I am able to not only physically, but mentally and emotionally support my patients and provide a light at the end of their tunnel.

Each and every day at work is different. Each and every patient is unique. I am so proud of all the people I have been had the opportunity to help thus far and I am excited to embark this life-long journey as a, soon to be, graduate.

Lavina is now a graduate of Bachelor of Physiotherapy