Fun Fact: It was the expatriates that brought physiotherapy into Malaysia and later on, Malaysians were sent under Colombo plan scholarship to service the country. Hence the birth of the Malaysian Physiotherapy Association on 19th January 1963 which was registered on 6th August the same year.
But what is physiotherapy? Why did the Malaysian government find it necessary to send her people to Colombo to service the country? Let us dive deeper into this field.
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy also commonly known as physical therapy, is a healthcare profession that treats patients to restore and maintain their mobility, health, fitness and well-being. This profession emphasizes on the ‘whole person’ approach by focusing on both prevention and rehabilitation of physical health.
Physiotherapists study the science of movement. They specialized in hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat illness, injury and disability. Not only that, they have the expertise to pinpoint the cause of the patients’ injuries and they will treat the illness using physiotherapy treatments.
So if patients suffer from stroke, movement loss or even sporting injuries, physiotherapists can help them to get back their physical fitness.
Types of Physiotherapy treatments
There are several types of physiotherapy treatments and on this article we will be focusing on:
Whirlpool
This treatment is a form of hydrotherapy and is used to improve circulation, maintain clean wounds or even control inflammation. Whirlpool can be hot or cold depending on the patients’ injuries. This whirlpool bath has a motor that helps the water to move around the treated body part.
Kinesiology Taping
Also called K-Tape, is a treatment where the tape will be adhered to the skin for a few days to relieve pain, facilitate and inhibit muscles and manage swelling or bruising. The tape is made of flexible fabric that stretches and pulls as patients move.
Soft Tissue Mobilisation
This treatment uses hands-on techniques on patients’ muscles and ligaments due to soft tissue injury. It can help relax tense muscles and reduce scar tissue. Besides that, this treatment can also help in reducing swelling, circulate blood flow and relieving pain in athletic injuries.
Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises
This treatment refers to the movement of a joint from its fully flexed position to its fully extended position. There are 3 types of ROM exercises: passive, active assistance exercises and active exercises. Both passive exercises and active assistance exercises require physiotherapists to help and monitor the patients. On the other hand, active exercises patients perform movements without the assistance from physiotherapists.
Traction
Traction is a manual technique to reduce pressure on affected backbone discs that cause pain. This treatment involves manual stretching of the spine where physiotherapists use their hands to create a force on the joints and muscles to widen the spaces between vertebrae. This is to treat low back pain and neck pain to improve mobility in spines.
Reasons to Study Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of the five professions that is getting prominent in 2020. Nowadays, people, especially millennials are serious about taking care of their fitness and health. Therefore, there are more people who seek physiotherapists.
2. Make an impact in society
Physiotherapists also play an important role in the healthcare industry, apart from professions such as doctors, dental surgeons or nurses. You will be helping people to get back their functional movements and wellbeing and improve their quality of life. You will see a smile on your patients and you will have a strong satisfaction at the end of the day.
3. Highly Practical
Physiotherapists required research, observation, consultation, and hands-on when treating patients. It is always a different case every day. Therefore, it is recommended to study this course for students who hate desk jobs.
What can I do with a Physiotherapy Degree?
General Entry Requirement
STPM/ Foundation: Minimum GPA 2.33 in Biology or Physics/ Mathematics or Chemistry
A-Level: Minimum 2 Ds in Biology or Physics/ Mathematics or Chemistry
Diploma: Minimum CGPA 2.75
UEC: 5B in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics and 3 other subjects
Please note that most universities require students to score at least 5 credits at SPM or IGCSE, with 3 credits in Biology, Chemistry, English or Mathematics.
For enquiries on any other entry requirement than above, contact us now 😃
How to Become a Physiotherapist in Malaysia?
Top Universities to study Physiotherapy in Malaysia
MAHSA University
“..graduates will be able to perform the demanding tasks expected of a highly qualified physiotherapist”
Program | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) |
Intake | April & October |
Duration | 4 years |
Annual Indicative Fees 2020 | RM 96, 640 |
This course is in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University and by the end of this program, students will get a UK degree from this prestigious university. For enquiries on the course or how to apply to this university, please contact us 😃
INTI International University & Colleges
“This programme will also improve students’ management, communication, problem-solving and organisational abilities”
Program | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) |
Intake | January & July |
Duration | 4 years |
Indicative Fees 2020 | RM 92,689 |
This program is in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University and students will receive a UK degree upon graduation.
For enquiries on the course or how to apply to this university, please contact us 😃
University of Cyberjaya
“The curriculum design is reflecting current practice with research evidence and enhancing students’ knowledge, skills and professionalism”
Program | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) |
Intake | February & September |
Duration | 4 years |
Indicative Fees 2020 | RM120, 000 |
For enquiries on the course or how to apply to this university, please contact us 😃
If you are interested in studying Physiotherapy in Australia, read Top Universities to Study Physiotherapy in Australia 2020.
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Stephanie Calamba
Part time ACCA student, part time content writer but full time child of God.