In English

A native English-speaking physiotherapist in Vienna

Explaining an injury is hard enough in your own language. Harlan Swan is from New Zealand, so the whole appointment can simply be in English.

Plenty of practices in Vienna list English as a language they speak. Fewer are run by someone who grew up speaking it. Harlan Swan, BPhty, trained and qualified as a physiotherapist before moving to Vienna, and has 24 years of clinical experience behind him.

That matters more than it sounds. A physiotherapy appointment is mostly conversation: describing where it hurts, when it started, what makes it worse, and then understanding what you have been asked to do at home and why. When that runs in a second language on both sides, detail gets lost.

The practical details

If you are new to Austria

You do not need a referral to be treated, and you do not need to have sorted out your Austrian insurance first. If you would like part of the cost refunded later, you will need an ärztliche Verordnung from a doctor. The whole arrangement is explained on the costs and reimbursement page, including roughly what the ÖGK pays back.

What he treats

Musculoskeletal work, from an acute problem to rehabilitation after surgery: back and neck pain, disc problems, ACL and post-operative rehab, runner's knee, Achilles and ankle problems, shoulder and rotator cuff, tennis and golfer's elbow, plus strength, balance and return to sport.

Common questions

Is the whole appointment in English?

Yes, if that is what you prefer. Harlan is from New Zealand and English is his first language, so nothing has to be simplified or translated. German is equally available.

I have just moved to Vienna. Do I need anything to be treated?

No. You can book and be treated without a referral, without registering anywhere first, and whether or not you are in the Austrian system yet. A referral only matters if you want to claim part of the cost back. See costs and reimbursement.

Where is the practice?

Beatrixgasse 19/2, 1030 Vienna, a few minutes' walk from U3 Rochusgasse and close to Stadtpark and Wien Mitte. Use the left-hand entrance and look for the green Beaktiv signs.