Departments

Departmental Details: 

The Department of Physiotherapy consists of experienced professionals specialized in various branches of physiotherapy and support staff who work closely with the medical, nursing and other allied health staff. It offers both graduate and postgraduate degree in physiotherapy, affiliated with Ragiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. 

Introduction:

Advance in the field of medical science have definitely proved to be a blessing for mankind. Most diseases in humans can be resolved. Several disease processes impair the normal body function causing disability which may later lead to handicap, preventing the individual from performing the activities expected of him. Physiotherapy acts as a boon at this stage. It minimizes the level of dependence on account of disability and helps to rehabilitate the individual with maximum functional ability. Thus Physiotherapy proves to be important in many forms of medical intervention – be it conservative management, surgeries or any other advanced forms of therapy seen today in order to reduce complications and mobilize the patients as soon as possible.

Physiotherapy at Father Muller’s started on July 15, 1967 with the blessing of the then Director, Late Fr Marian Fernandes, and the joint efforts of Mr Francis Fernandes who was sent by the Institution to CMC, Vellore, for specialized training in the field of Physiotherapy. Sr Odillia M Jacob also joined in providing rehabilitative care to the needy. She was very efficiently trained as a rehabilitation nurse in AIPMR, Mumbai. As the services branched further, Sr Letitia c. Kuriakose joined in helping in further growth with the special qualification o Diploma in Paramedical Sciences. It was at this point that the institution realized the value of physiotherapy in efficient patient care. There was a felt need for qualified physiotherapists and sufficient man power. Hence the institution sent Sr Leenus Rodrigues for the Bachelor’s Degree in 1991. After her successful completion and return to the Institution in February 1995, the physiotherapy degree course was commenced since it was already approved by the Mangalore University in 1994. In 2002, she once again deputed for postgraduate degree in physiotherapy.

The course has flourished since then, the tree has branched further under the able guidance of then Principal, Late Dr J.N Shetty and Vice Principal Dr Sanjeev Rai. In 1996, the course was clubbed along with other medical courses under the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. In February 2002, the department of Physiotherapy had 2 well established and well equipped out patient and in patient sectors. Due to the increased demand the then single department was then divided and served a higher number of patients. In October 2004, the out patient physiotherapy department metamorphosed into a well designed, technically advanced ideal department – the 1st of its kind in the state. Thanks to the then Director Rev . Dr Baptist Menezes, then Administrator, Rev Dr Lawrence C D’souza and the then Dean Dr B Sanjeev Rai, whose foresight regarding the need of physiotherapy in the forthcoming years prompted them to set up the new physiotherapy department and function with a strength of 20 well qualified staff members and interns. Presently physiotherapy is recongnised to have various specialized fields. It can no longer be presented in a nutshell as seen years ago in our country. Owing to this change, the Dean decided to present the department with the following six sectors. Movement sciences, Electrotherapy, Musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, Neuro physiotherapy, Cardio respiratory physiotherapy, and CBR.

Owing to the academic performance of its students, the Department of Physiotherapy has made a name among other colleges of Ragiv Gandhi University. Academic programmes have been hosted by the department to enhance continuous physiotherapy education.

Father Muller Department of Physiotherapy is now renowned worldwide with its seedlings planted throughout the nation and beyond. Most of our ex students leaving the portals of this prestigious institution have been blessed with the best professional opportunities. The institution caters to their academic and all round growth enabling them to be better individuals, sensitive to the society they belong.