Rehab Kinetics

Rehab Kinetics is a physiotherapy clinic in Birkirkara, the busy central town that sits between Valletta and the island's interior. It was founded in 2004 with a clear mission: to encourage a fitter, healthier and more active way of life, and to give clients a thorough rehabilitation experience in the shortest sensible time.

The clinic is run by two physiotherapists who both graduated from the University of Malta in 2002, Karl DePasquale and Darren Sillato. Their practice is one of the entries in our physiotherapists in Malta directory, and it will appeal to readers who want a clinic with a strong grounding in movement science, whether they are residents, long-stay visitors or people newly settled on the island.

The founders and their expertise

Karl DePasquale is the owner and managing physiotherapist. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and has worked in both public and private healthcare. His speciality is musculoskeletal physiotherapy, which covers the muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments, and his work ranges from postural and biomechanical analysis to sports and occupational injuries. His additional qualifications include a Fellowship Diploma in Sports Rehabilitation, a Postgraduate Diploma in Football Physical Training and certification as a Health Fitness Instructor. He also practises sports acupuncture, supported by certification in medical acupuncture and dry needling and in acupuncture for sports medicine and performance.

Darren Sillato is a registered physiotherapist and co-founder. After his BSc (Hons) he completed a Master's degree in Clinical Biomechanics, and he has trained in three-dimensional motion analysis in Dundee and Oxford. At Rehab Kinetics he specialises in gait analysis and biomechanical assessment, using video analysis and 3D motion capture to understand movement patterns. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Malta and has co-authored research on fixed-seat rowing kinematics and on how gait data is represented.

What the clinic can help with

The clinic's profile points to several areas. Musculoskeletal physiotherapy is the core of the work, and the clinic treats problems linked to posture, sport and the workplace. Gait analysis studies the way you walk or run, looking for patterns that could overload a joint or slow a recovery. Biomechanical assessment widens that view to the whole body in motion, and 3D motion capture records movement with cameras so that it can be measured rather than simply observed.

Sports acupuncture and dry needling use fine needles to address muscle and tendon problems, and they are offered by practitioners with specific certification. Occupational injuries, such as those that come from repetitive tasks or long hours at a desk, are within the clinic's scope. For exact treatment options, session lengths and costs, ask the clinic when you enquire, since the website does not publish them. This page gives a description of the services and is not medical advice.

Finding the clinic

The clinic is at Villa Pace, 173 Msida Street, Birkirkara. Birkirkara is a short drive from Valletta, covered in our Valletta guide, and the walled town of Mdina, covered in our Mdina guide, so an appointment can be fitted around sightseeing. Our things to do in Malta guide has ideas for easy days while you recover, and our Malta weather guide helps you plan outdoor exercise around the summer heat.

Because no hours or prices are published online, the best way to find out whether the clinic is the right fit is to ask. Mention your problem, how long you have had it and whether it is linked to sport or work, and say when you will be on the island.

Staying in Malta

Staying a while? Our where to stay in Malta page compares areas, and the Malta relocation guide is written for UK households making a permanent move. Health cover often comes up at that stage, and local advisers such as AIB Insurance Brokers are listed in our directory, as are nutrition specialists such as A New Better Life.

To contact the clinic, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Rehab Kinetics.