HILTON PHYSIO NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 200 YOUNG SOUTH AFRICANS

For his efforts to promote and advocate for physiotherapy in the digital space, Hilton sports physiotherapist Nick Pereira has been named one of the Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans 2021.

Pereira said he was humbled by the accolade and did not expect it at all. He was nominated by his colleagues for his work in creating online resources to help people look after their health.

In 2017, Pereira started a blog and a vlog, focusing on promoting physiotherapy and empowering people through education.

Pereira has worked as a team physiotherapist for Bafana Bafana and the KZN Inland Cricket team, has attended two hockey world cups as physio for the SA hockey team, co-founded the Maritzburg College Medical Centre in conjunction with the school, and is currently the sports physiotherapist at Hilton College.

His physiotherapy career was informed by his two passions: sport, and wanting to help people, as well as his own experiences of how physiotherapy helped him in his own sporting journey.

What he loves most about physiotherapy is that it inspires people to pursue their best quality of life. “We generally take health for granted until after an injury. For me, physiotherapy is about taking the person on a journey back to ‘normal’, but then encouraging them to go beyond that and reach their best quality of life,” Pereira said.

Originally from Cape Town, Pereira studied undergrad at Stellenbosch University, and obtained a MSc. in Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy from University of Cape Town. He came to Hilton to further his career. “The community has been good to me. I want to give back and get more involved in the community here,” he said.

He said it was great to be able to share his accolade with his family and colleagues who have always backed and supported him. For more information visit: https:// www.enhancedphysio.co.za/