RehabX

RehabX is a physiotherapy and wellness clinic at 89 Triq Sant Antnin in Marsaskala, in the south east of Malta. It brings physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, speech therapy, massage, dietetics, personal training and a sports and musculoskeletal medicine consultant together under one roof, so a visitor or a resident can be assessed and treated by several specialists in the same place.

For a UK reader, the clinic is useful in two ways. If you live in Malta, it offers a multidisciplinary team for adults, children and older people. If you are visiting and pick up a sports injury, a foot problem or a niggling strain, it is an easy stop in the south. This page sets out what each service covers, who the practitioners are and how to ask for an appointment through VisitMalta.co.uk.

Who RehabX is for

The clinic's approach is holistic: physiotherapy, podiatry, movement training, rehabilitation, exercise performance, sleep, nutrition and wider health and fitness solutions sit alongside one another. It caters to people at every stage of their wellness journey, whether they are recovering from an injury, improving athletic performance or seeking guidance on nutrition and sleep, with personalised programmes built by its professionals.

The team is made up of physiotherapists, podiatrists, an occupational therapist, a sports scientist and massage therapist, a speech and language pathologist, a dietitian and a consultant in sports and exercise medicine. Most of them graduated from the University of Malta.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy at RehabX covers musculoskeletal assessment and treatment for joint, muscle and tendon injuries, neurological assessment and treatment aimed at movement, coordination and independence, and care for older adults to maintain strength and balance. Treatment techniques include manual therapy, electrotherapy and personalised home exercise programmes.

The clinic also offers prevention and wellness services: posture assessment, workplace ergonomics and advice on injury prevention and recovery. A Sleep Evaluation Clinic carries out sleep studies, which monitor brain activity, oxygen levels and breathing during rest.

The lead physiotherapist is Karl Farrugia, a University of Malta graduate who also holds a business administration masters. Martina Mifsud works as a physiotherapist with the national football team and several local sports clubs and also has experience in neurorehabilitation and care of older people. Martina Francalanza specialises in sports physiotherapy and dance, and treats people from athletes and dancers to seniors.

Podiatry

Podiatry appointments are organised by need. A routine appointment covers skin and nail care, including hard skin, corns, verrucae, ingrowing toenails, fungal nail infections and excessive sweating. A general podiatry appointment is for foot pain and pain in the lower third of the leg, footwear advice, paediatric screening and diabetic assessments.

A functional podiatry appointment focuses on the foot and ankle, including barefoot training, moving into barefoot shoes, barefoot running and fascial manipulation of the lower limb. Biomechanics and Footscan analysis uses pressure mapping to design custom insoles or orthotics, together with an evaluation of the foot and lower leg.

Clinton Schembri Francalanza is the lead functional podiatrist, and Matthew Fenech is a podiatrist with a particular interest in sports podiatry and biomechanics.

Occupational therapy and speech therapy for children

Paediatric occupational therapy begins with an assessment of a child's strengths and challenges in sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills and daily living. Therapy sessions then focus on sensory, motor and functional goals. The team also helps families with applications to the Sensability Scheme, which provides financial assistance for a sensory room at home, carries out school access arrangement evaluations, visits schools and runs small group sessions for self regulation, handwriting, motor skills and social interaction.

Gaby Meli, the lead occupational therapist, is training in Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy and works with neurodiverse children. Speech and language pathologist Jacqueline Schembri uses a play based, child led approach and has training in the Picture Exchange Communication System and Colourful Semantics.

Sport science, massage and the consultant

Sport science and personal training offers one to one coaching, sports rehabilitation with a sports scientist and medical weight management programmes. Chelsea Stivala, the lead sports scientist and massage therapist, holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport, Exercise and Health and an Advanced Diploma in Sports Massage. Massage therapy comes as deep tissue massage for long term tension and as sports massage, which suits active people and non athletes alike.

Prof. Kirill Micallef Stafrace is the sports, exercise and musculoskeletal consultant. His work covers assessment, non surgical treatment plans, rehabilitation programmes, performance guidance and the management of ongoing conditions, working alongside other health professionals. Dietitian Annah Mallia offers one to one sessions that review eating habits, set goals and produce individual meal plans, with a particular interest in sports nutrition.

Finding the clinic and planning your stay

RehabX is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00. Marsaskala is a seaside town in the south east, so it combines well with a day out. See our guides to things to do in Malta, the best beaches in Malta and the Ħaġar Qim temples in the south, and use where to stay in Malta and the Malta weather guide to plan the trip.

If you are moving to the island, our guide to relocating to Malta from the UK covers the wider practicalities, and you can compare other providers in our directory of physiotherapists in Malta.

How to book

Start by choosing the service you need, whether physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, massage, nutrition or personal training, and note any injury or goal you would like to discuss. Then use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the clinic.