"Krankengymnastik" is an older German term for what is now called physiotherapy. Since the reform of the professional laws in 1994, in the course of reunification and alignment with international usage, the professional title was officially changed from "Krankengymnast" to "Physiotherapeut" (physiotherapist).
Krankengymnastik or physiotherapy is a form of specific training and the external application of therapeutic remedies, primarily intended to restore, improve or maintain the movement and functional capacity of the human musculoskeletal system.
The origins of the field go back a long way. After the currency reform of 1948 in West Germany, jobs in this area were initially cut. Only with the founding of regional associations, contracts with health insurers and the standardisation of training did the profession re-establish itself.
In 1959, the work of the Central Association of Krankengymnasten (ZVK), today Germany's largest professional association, achieved a federal legal distinction of the profession from other medical auxiliary professions.
Although the term "Krankengymnastik" is still widespread in everyday German, the official name today is physiotherapy. Physiotherapists work closely with physicians and implement their prescriptions with specific techniques and exercises to improve patients' health and quality of life.