The Department of Physiotherapy has been in existence in Kasturba Hospital since 1972. Initially, it was a part of the Department of Orthopedics, KMC, and subsequently it has grown to become an independent Department. Between 1981 and 1991, the Department began training Physiotherapists through its 2-year diploma program. From 1992, this was upgraded to a Bachelor's programme (BPT) and from 1997, the postgraduate, Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) program was started. 

Since 1996, it has been an independent Department and was integrated into the College of Allied Health Sciences (presently known as Manipal College of Health Professions) from 1999. The Department has since then grown in leaps and bounds and is committed to achieve excellence in clinical services, academics and research. 

The Department has upgraded its BPT program to international standards and has initiated MPT programs in various specialities. Both the Bachelor and Postgraduate courses are semester-based programs with a carefully designed curriculum ensuring that students achieve the required competencies to become an independent, confident and skilled professional with high moral and ethical standards. 

The Faculty in the Department are well qualified and highly experienced in their specialities. They are well versed in teaching learning methods, which aid to ensure that student engagement and practical training are delivered in the most effective manner to facilitate learning. The well-equipped labs in the College and the attached University teaching hospital (i.e., Kasturba Hospital), ensures a good learning experience along with a rich and diverse clinical exposure for students. The students trained at MAHE develop both inter-professional and intercultural skills that help them become global citizens. 

Research has taken centre stage for the Department over the last ten years and since 2010, the Department has been running a full-time PhD program. This has helped strengthen the research focus and has resulted in the faculty of the Department receiving research grants from both International and National agencies resulting in an increased quantum of high quality publications in nationally and internationally reputed journals. A strong research network of the department and it’s faculty has ensured the initiation of interdisciplinary, translatory and cutting-edge research in the various fields of Physiotherapy.

The department has established research collaborations with various international universities in the areas of musculoskeletal sciences, neurosciences, cardiopulmonary sciences, community physiotherapy, peadiatrics and women's health physiotherapy. In addition, on going student exchange programs have been conducted to enhance exclusive research based learning and clinical experience with collaborated universities across the globe. 

Key features

• Updated and Outcome based curriculum
• Excellent infrastructure for academic, practical and clinical training
• Clinical exposure to speciality clinics (Diabetic foot care care clinic, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, oncology rehabilitation, balance and vestibular rehabilitation, antenatal health clinic)
• Multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment ensuring sharing of knowledge and experience.
• International collaborations facilitating both academic/research exchange among students and faculty
• Excellent research environment facilitating students to engage in innovation and high quality research
• Funded scientific projects

Core competencies

• Highly qualified faculty with research experience 
• Qualified faculty in diverse specialities with vast clinical experience specialities and hands-on clinical skill training
• Faculty trained in pedagogic and personal effectiveness
• Evidence based curricula
• Research intensive environment

Academic and Research Collaborations

ACADEMIC

• Jishnu Sasikumar Charitable foundation 

RESEARCH

• McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2020)
• Dr. Randoll Institute, Munchen, Germany (2020)
• University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (2017)
• Manchester Metropolitan University (2015)

The Department of Physiotherapy, MCHP Manipal offers the following programs:

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)

Masters in Physiotherapy (MPT)

The Department of Physiotherapy has a well-equipped labs and clinical facilities