The Sports Medics

The Sports Medics is a private clinic in Naxxar that focuses on sports and exercise medicine, running performance and movement. It is led by Dr Danica Bonello Spiteri, and its services range from a one-off injury consultation to a structured 20 week programme for a marathon or half marathon. For a UK reader the appeal is clear: runners, cyclists and active families who live in Malta, or who are spending a long stay here, can find specialist sports care in one place.

The practice is listed in our directory of private clinics in Malta. This page describes the services offered and is not medical advice.

Consultations and treatment

A sports injury consultation starts with listening to the patient, followed by a thorough examination that may include video, and advice on the options for managing the problem. Musculoskeletal medicine covers non-surgical problems of the joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles, in both short-term and long-term settings, and it includes osteoarthritis and similar conditions.

The clinic also provides musculoskeletal ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of injured tissue on a computer screen. That picture helps the doctor guide injections to the right place. Joint injections are available for large and small joints, and the small joints are injected under ultrasound control. Shockwave therapy is offered for a range of muscle, tendon and bone injuries, and exercise medicine involves prescribing tailor-made physical activity as part of the treatment of a medical condition.

Exercise-induced asthma testing is also available for people who struggle to breathe during or after exercise. Lung function is measured before and after exercise, the results are fully interpreted and further guidance follows once testing is complete.

Running, testing and recovery

Running technique video analysis gives an in-depth look at how you run, why you may be inefficient or keep getting injured, and what options exist. A plan is provided during the consultation. For longer-term change, the running injury rehabilitation course runs for six weekly one-hour sessions. It begins with video and functional movement analysis and continues with six weeks of guided technique work under the running technique specialist, with a before and after video and a full report.

VO2 max testing, on a bike or a treadmill, monitors oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production and heart rate to give a breakdown of your heart rate training zones and advice on how to optimise training. Compression boots, using Normatec recovery equipment with several programmes, are available to help tired legs recover after hard training or competition.

The Marathon and Half Marathon School is a 20 week supervised programme at various levels of input. It can include VO2 max testing, video analysis, technique guidance and rehabilitation where indicated, and an individual training plan with regular feedback. Sports psychology, sports nutrition and yoga support can be added. Prices vary by level. If you want separate nutrition advice, our directory also lists A New Better Life among its nutritionists.

Movement help for children and adults

Movement rehabilitation for pain teaches people to move better using a re-patterning system, the same approach used by The Movement and Running School of London, and it is aimed at neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee and ankle problems as well as recovery after a surgical procedure.

For young people there are two options. Kids running and movement analysis looks at a child's movement pattern and running technique through a movement screen or video analysis, and gives feedback on what can be done in the clinic. A ten-week course of weekly one-hour sessions, movement skills for children, helps children who struggle with coordination in their sport, and is aimed at issues often linked to developmental delay or dyspraxia. Families looking for other things for children to do can browse Adventure Hub in our children's activities section.

Planning a visit to Naxxar

You can combine an appointment in Naxxar with sightseeing. Our Mdina guide, Valletta guide and ideas for things to do in Malta help you plan the rest of your day, the best beaches in Malta suit a recovery afternoon, and the nearby Agenda Bookshop is close by. Anyone training outdoors should read the weather guide by month, and people settling here can use our relocation guide for UK movers.

To ask about a service, send your question through the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass it on to the practice.