Welcome to BMJ Physiotherapy Singapore

BMJ Physiotherapy Singapore provides accessible and quality specialist care for your bones, muscles, and joints. Our team of highly trained allied health professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and rehab therapists) adopts the latest proven treatment methodologies and works in alliance to deliver the best possible care to our patients.

“A painkiller numbs the pain temporarily. Physiotherapy manages pain naturally.”

Singapore Physiotherapy

We strive to help our patients recover as quickly and safely as possible through physiotherapy treatments, so they can resume and enjoy their pre-injury lifestyle.

 What is physical therapy treatment?

Physiotherapy is the implementation of evidence-based, time-tested techniques to help restore, maintain, and improve movement, function, and overall well-being. It includes both rehabilitation and injury prevention, as well as the promotion of health and fitness. It combines knowledge of anatomy and physiology, the study of normal body function, with neuroscience, the study of the structure and function of the nervous system.

What does a Physiotherapy Session Include?

Physiotherapy focuses on diagnosing and treating a patient’s injury, disease, or physical deformity. The emphasis is on overcoming functional issues such as difficulty in mobility and completing everyday tasks.

-Physiotherapy treatment may consist of one or more of the following:
-Electrical stimulation for pain relief
-Manual Release Therapy to Improve Joint Movements or Soft Tissue Tension
-Movement re-training
-Individualised exercise programme

Our Area of Specialities

Please click on a service to find out more.

Bones, Muscles, and Joints conditions

We refer to injuries to the bones, muscles, and joints as musculoskeletal injuries. Some common examples include back pain, ankle sprains, slipped discs and stress fractures. This type of injury can be caused by various factors, such as overuse, sudden impact, falls, or accidents. When these injuries occur, performing daily activities or maintaining a normal lifestyle can be difficult. However, BMJ physiotherapists are specially trained to assess and treat musculoskeletal injuries, which can help patients regain their mobility and quality of life quickly. By working with a physiotherapist, patients can receive a personalised treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and helps them recover from their injuries.

Sports physiotherapy & Return to Sports

Led by ex-team SG sports physiotherapists, we bring sports injury assessment and management to a broader audience of sports enthusiasts.

We understand your sport’s and lifestyle’s demands and aim to bring you back to your sport more robust and faster than before. We value the teamwork behind getting you back by working closely with your sports doctor, therapists, coaches, or parents.

BMJ Physiotherapy Singapore is backed by years of expertise and experience, knowledge of human anatomy, and the latest treatment approaches. Let us get you back to your game safely and quickly.

Prehab and post-surgical rehab

Prehabilitation before surgery is the sensible way to prepare for orthopaedic surgery. We aim to reduce the risk of postoperative complications and improve recovery times. Knowing that he is well prepared for the upcoming surgery is often very reassuring to the patient.

Post-surgery rehabilitation is essential and is guided by our physiotherapist using orthopaedic doctor-approved guidelines. We work closely with your doctors to ensure a smooth and fast recovery.

Our Services

Please click on a service to find out more.

Manual therapy or mobilisation therapy

Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT)

Dry needling

Clinical Pilates

Sports massage

Exercise testing and therapy

BFR training

Cryotherapy

Taping and Kinesio taping

Postural analysis and body reading

Running gait analysis

Ergonomics assessment

Prehabilitation and post-op rehab

Orthotics Fitting

Google & Facebook Reviews

Excellent5.0 Based on 691 reviews from review us onNg Chek YongNg Chek Yong ★★★★★ Spent 9-10 weeks of physio sessions with Darek on my left knee after a partial tear on the meniscus, and I must say, the process has been fruitful and effective. The sessions are progressive, and Darek takes time to explain and rationalise the drills and methods applied to ensure my knee recovers and I am able to return to sport.Gerald KwekGerald Kwek ★★★★★ Amazed at the results of my physiotherapy journey with Ding Zhi! Ding Zhi was very knowledgeable and managed to pinpoint the root cause of my injury and formulated a recovery plan.Celine LowCeline Low ★★★★★ Dr Sharon taught me exercises to strengthen muscles to alleviate pain at hip joint.George KohGeorge Koh ★★★★★ I recently underwent ACL surgery and was fortunate enough to be referred to BMJ Physiotherapy, by Dr. Kanan. My rehabilitation journey at BMJ Physiotherapy has been nothing short of exceptional, and I can't thank them enough for helping me regain my strength and mobility.I began my rehabilitation journey with physiotherapist Joshua, who played a pivotal role in restoring the strength in my injured leg. Joshua's expertise, guidance, and unwavering support during the initial stages of my recovery were instrumental in my progress.Midway through my rehabilitation, Joshua left the clinic, and I was introduced to another outstanding physiotherapist, Aloysius. Aloysius is not only a highly skilled professional but also an incredibly relatable and personable individual. His ability to connect with his patients goes beyond just physical therapy; he's someone you can comfortably talk to about your concerns and progress, making the sessions not only effective but enjoyable.Irene, the clinic's administrative staff, deserves a special mention for her exceptional service. She consistently ensured that my appointments were scheduled at convenient times and followed up with me via WhatsApp to remind me of my upcoming sessions. Her dedication to making sure everything ran smoothly greatly contributed to my overall pleasant experience at BMJ Physiotherapy.In conclusion, my time at BMJ Physiotherapy has been marked by professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. Thanks to Joshua, Aloysius, Irene, and the entire team, my ACL surgery rehabilitation has been a success. I highly recommend BMJ Physiotherapy to anyone in need of physiotherapy services. They provide not only top-notch rehabilitation but also a warm and supportive environment that fosters healing and progress. Thank you for everything!Raven NgRaven Ng ★★★★★ Had a glute injury due to my powerlifting activities. Ding Zhi had helped with root cause analysis and provided easy to follow treatment and relief exercises to improve my issues with general mobility.Highly recommendedVicki PereiraVicki Pereira ★★★★★ It is with deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks I write this review for BMJ who helped me in my journey to recovery.I was referred by Dr Reuben of shoulder/elbow Ortho Clinic when I had some partial tears in my shoulder causing pain and restricted movements. I was told to see DAREK. He is definitely a Pro in his field. The first day was assessment on my mobility issues and DAREK took time to understand how I got the injury and advised the necessary stretches after the initial diagnosis.I am pain free and much better now.If you want Peace of Mind and improvement in your medical condition THEN BMJ is the "Go To" clinic.Timothy TangTimothy Tang ★★★★★ I went to BMJ and had my right knee recovery sessions with Bruno. During the reviews, he spend time understanding my issues & check on the potential trigger areas. His conscientiousness has enabled him to guide me in doing proper postures for exercises, especially performing daily activities. Many thanks to Bruno for his patience and sound advice. Will totally recommend him to others!Chung Zhi ChengChung Zhi Cheng ★★★★★ I had a very smooth recovery for my knee and shoulder when working with Dr Sharon Wang. She is extremely knowledgeable and her prescribed exercises helped me to feel much better and got me back to be pain free very quickly.Kanishk SinghKanishk Singh ★★★★★ I must commend Dr Sharon for her dedication in getting my knee to good mobility and strength with 3 weeks of physiotherapy. Her prescribed exercises has helped me to travel overseas after 6 weeks of an ACL surgery .S SkellamS Skellam ★★★★★ Alyssa is hands down the best physio to troubleshoot a bodily problem. She has worked out why my conditions were ocurring, treated and provided excellent Physiotherapy maintenance instructions for both issues I brought to her (back/hip). As I was travelling through Singapore, she helped me in only 2 visits - it is so worth getting her professional opinion. Cannot recommend her highly enough!A CA C ★★★★★ My physiotherapist Janette was really knowledgeable and answered all the questions I had about the old injury i had on my ankle. She also help me prep for my surgery. Over the months going through the therapy, it has improved especially the swelling. I definitely learn a lot from her about the injury itself and ways that i can straighten my ankle. I appreciate the advice and help I had during my time there. Definitely recommend to visit Bmj Kovan for your treatment. Even the other physiotherapists and the admin are friendly. 😀JyaJunJyaJun ★★★★★ Very quick and effectiveSeb TanSeb Tan ★★★★★ Fractured and dislocated right shoulder in Aug 2022 due to bad fall from cycling. Went to Darek at BMJ Tampines for physiotherapy after surgery.Knew Darek previously when he helped me after my knee ops some years back. With his attentive help and advises, saw my right shoulder steadily recovered back to norm. Thank Darek 🙏🏾🙏🏾Ying NgYing Ng ★★★★★ Spent a year with Physio Alyssa since I tore my ACL in my right knee - she has been super patient and meticulous in my healing process and has helped me gain back the strength and momentum I used to have. She's also extremely encouraging and I always look forward to sessions with her (also because she gives really good massages during the first few sessions😂)Bucephalandra SpBucephalandra Sp ★★★★★ I went through a spine slipped disc surgery in May 2023 and was referred to BMJ by my doctor. Darek was my assigned physio therapist and was paramount in helping me to recover so quickly. After the surgery, I needed to learn from scratch everything, such as getting in/out of bed, sitting, walking, bending, squatting etc. He was accurate in his diagnosis and was able to target the problem areas effectively by combining exercises and massage to help me to regain strength and mobility. Thanks to his help, I am back to normal and back in the gym, doing brisk walk and light weights 2 months after my surgery. Thank you Darek for helping me in my recovery 🙏AlbanValerieValerie ★★★★★ I visited BMJ for treatment of my foot injury and was very happy with the professional care provided. Physio Janette was very friendly and knowledgeable – she gave clear explanations to help me understand the causes of my injury, what I could do to alleviate the pain and how to avoid recurrence through strengthening/maintenance exercises.Huge thanks to the BMJ team for the excellent service across the board!Akmal AzanAkmal Azan ★★★★★ The physios here help me through one of the toughest times after I tore my ACL. As some one who works out quite a bit, Darek and team were very meticulous with the recovery programme, to make sure everything that would help recovery and advice to preventing reinjury was covered at the right pace to adjust to my body's response. Would highly recommend anyone who needs advice especially for sports therapy to book an appointment w them.Sang DeerSang Deer ★★★★★ Hi I am Elaine and I had did my Bilateral Complex Forefoot Deformity surgery for my both feet. So I need to have a good physiotherapy clinic to attend. And I’m so glad to have my physiotherapy at BMJ Clinic as my therapist Mr. Darek Lam very experience , encouraging and attentive person. He has two clinics, one at Tampines and one at Kovan. There are many equipments or machines in his clinic to fit for physiotherapy needs. The charges are consider quite reasonable, is around $140 for 30min and around $170 for 45min. I had total 14 visits at his clinic and very satisfied for all the visits. The first few visits I felt quite torture as sometimes Darek had to help me with some force for the necessary corrections in order to get me recover better. He always asked me what type of exercise that I wanted to do and he will taught me the proper way to do with my current condition. Darek approved to discharge me for my recovery. I would like to thank him for his great experience to assist me for my speedy recovery. Cheers!!emily angemily ang ★★★★★ i went to the bmj's physiotherapy as it was recommended by my orthopaedist. i had suffered from lower back pain for about 3 months and with about 4 months of physiotherapy, my lower back felt alot better. the physio, Alyssa, was very detailed and patient and gave me exercises that helped me to recover! would recommend!Mannan PachaMannan Pacha ★★★★★ Had Vanessa and Alyssa from BMJ as my therapists and boy I couldn’t have asked for better help and guidance in my healing journey!!I undertook 2 knee surgeries over a span of 3-4 years and am an avid scuba diver and amateur skier - being able to get my knee back into shape and ensure I could continue by escapades was of high importance to me and the team at BMJ understood that - I am back to diving and waiting for winter now but I am ever grateful to Vanessa and Alyssa for all their help and guidance to me!!!If at all you do need physiotherapy help BMJ is the place to go!!!!Yasmin ChuahYasmin Chuah ★★★★★ went for physio therapy under physio Ding Zhi for ACL, physio was professional and thorough in his checkup and tests. Learnt alot on how to manage my injury and recovered well. Physio made sure I knew about my condition in detail and was knowledgeable. recommend this place!Elizabeth GomezElizabeth Gomez ★★★★★ Went to the Kovan branch and received helpful advice from Dr. Aloysious for mower back. Also gave good stretches for me to do.Jeevitha ElangohJeevitha Elangoh ★★★★★ Learned a lot about my injuries and what caused them. Really helped recover wellJose Roberto BloiseJose Roberto Bloise ★★★★★ She helped when my.back gave up under stress. Recomend. A problem solverEvangeline KohEvangeline Koh ★★★★★ All round amazing experience here! Irene goes the extra mile to ensure effective appointment scheduling and Janette is a wonderful physiotherapist who effectively targets problematic areas and solves the issue at the root. will recommend! 🙂Chan KenChan Ken ★★★★★ We are very happy with the professional service provided by staffs from BMJ Kovan Branch. Thanks to the patience and support in last few months especially from physiotherapist Angela. Ryan’s our boy has managed to recovery well from his ACL surgery.Sam ChiaSam Chia ★★★★★ Have a Gait Analysis consultation with Physio Aloysius. My aim was to understand how I can prevent injuries as I increase my exercise intensity especially at this age of mine.He gave me very good insights to improve my fitness and body conditioning. Highly recommended to anyone who is looking for a Physio. The engagement was clinic was very efficient (via whatsapp) and responsive.Wen Yong OngWen Yong Ong ★★★★☆ great rehab sessions for my right knee injury. appointments made start on time.Yc NeoYc Neo ★★★★★ Ding Zhi has helped me recovered from my knee pain, and has further recommended exercises that help improved on strength. I just finished off a 21km run with no more knee issues! Wonderful!Tan yee hernTan yee hern ★★★★★ I feel much better! Thanks to the team at BMJ. Everyone was warm, friendly and professional. 👍🏼A special shout-out to my physio Ding Zhi for his unwavering effort to find the root of my problem. Grounded in the science of physiology, but executed in the practicality of daily living! 💯js_loader

Testimonials

From Passion to Practice: The Founder’s Story of BMJ Physiotherapy

Is there a better way in Singapore’s Physiotherapy?

Curious, better technique, more effective, keep learning.

Darek, the founder and physio mentor of BMJ Physiotherapy clinic began his physiotherapy journey 20 years ago in a UK university.  It was in Manchester where he was intrigued by the body healing ability and how we can influence the body to heal better.

His quest for better and the latest technique often led him to courses outside and beyond his university curriculum.  So, even as a student and with limited resources he invested his own time and money to attend multiple physio related courses during his school vacations. This mindset to continuous learning and the search for better strategies is a practice Darek has hold forth even to this day where even the pandemic couldn’t hold him back from attending online conferences.

In 2003, Darek joined CGH where he made a real impact on the ground. He thoroughly enjoyed his early years in the hospital putting into practice the skills he picked up.

Even though he has his hands full with his full-time work, he continues to set aside time to upgrade his skill at his own expense and time.

In 2008, he even invested a full year to deepen his knowledge by acquiring Masters in sports physiotherapy in Queensland, Australia.

Treating the Root Cause

Through this constant upgrading, he discovered so much more about the human body and it led him to his current practice mantra: treating the root cause of any injury.  

“I believe that treating the root cause of any injuries is vital to solving pain for the long term.  And I really want to make a difference”. 

Darek realised that what he had learned traditionally was focus mostly on solving the symptoms and not looking at the problem holistically.   There were a number of insightful cases that help him to see the root cause of the injury.  

For example, there as this gentleman who had a persistent shoulder pain who was unresponsive to the usual physio treatment.  He discovered that the shoulder pain was connected to an old abdominal surgery that has altered his posture.  His root cause of his shoulder injury was the scarring at the abdomen! The physio session took on another approach to address the abdominal scar tissue with long lasting pain relief to his shoulder.

Moving on, perfecting skills, connecting the dots

After 8 years in the hospital, Darek felt that he did not have the time luxury with his patients to explore about the root cause of their problems.  The hectic scheduling at times needed him to see two to three patients at a go!  This didn’t align with his mantra.

In 2013, he made a bold decision to start his own practice, BMJ Physiotherapy clinic.  At his own clinic,  he made it a point to spend more quality time with each patient to further dive into clear diagnosis, investigating root causes and to tweak his treatments.  Giving enough time for this patient also means that his patients could feel a lot more care, concern and the 360 degrees attention.

The rigour of running his own clinic still didn’t stop him from continuous education momentum he had from his early years. With adequate patient mileage and the latest physio knowledge/ research he was now able to help his patients connect the dots between the current pain, your past injury, lifestyle and even your environment factor can all be root causes to be your injury.

“Your sessions are different to others I have attended!”  these remarks are common with patients who consulted with Darek and his BMJ team. “I can understand my problems a lot better now.”

He remembered this other case, a 40 plus gentleman who came in for rehabilitation after this left knee cartilage surgery. As his rehab progressed, his analysis and investigation led him to conclude that the reason why he needed to do a left knee surgery was due to a right knee injury he suffered years ago that he didn’t recovered from. So over the years, he had to overly rely on his left knee for his sports.  

So as they realised, the physio treatment eventually have to focus on this unoperated side.  Thankfully, he was eventually able to equalise both his leg strength for him to return to running!

These and many more examples are evident in the google and facebook reviews.

Passing on BMJ physiotherapy skills

With all these years of accumulated knowledge running BMJ physiotherapy, Darek made a decision to mentor the next generation of physio so as to start a movement of discovering root causes.  He is able to put his treatment methodology into 3 steps: BMJ’s ACT therapy.  Through a series of steps, BMJ physiotherapists can figure out the root cause of your injury achieving long term pain relief. (see below)

His commitment to mentor the next generation of physios is seen in his weekly mentor sessions with his team

“ I believe  collective intelligence and nurturing an environment where everyone can share and  learn openly. “  and this has been the intention he had set out from the word go.

“I plan to continue to challenge younger physio to raise their own standards and bring physiotherapy to the next level.”

BMJ three steps to discover the root cause of the pain

Bringing BMJ physio to the sporting world

Its has been 10 years since the inception of BMJ physio clinic, Darek is ready to bring physiotherapy to another level.

A recent survey done by ActiveSG found that regular participation in sport/physical activity reached an all time high of 72%!  They found out that the pandemic had reinforced value of active lifestyle for health and mental wellness.

This higher sports participation rate unfortunately do come with higher incidence of sports related injury.  This is where BMJ physio come in timely to offer and managed sports injury effectively at the primary care level.

“We have also notice how Singaporeans are more serious about their sports and wanting to bring their performance to another level and beyond”

As part of BMJ’s evolve mission, he is proud to bring on board a senior principal physiotherapist, Yeo Hwee Koon who has over 20 years of experience treating our national athletes in Singapore Sports Institute and FAS.

“After taking care of our country’s best athletes, I believe it is time to bring the same level of medical treatment to the rest of Singapore.”

“I am excited to join Darek and team BMJ because I can feel his passion often in not just simply solving the symptoms of any injury, but to deep dive into the factors that causes the injury”.

Together with BMJ treatment methodology and her expertise in treating elite athletes, they hope to bring top notch physiotherapy treatment to our recreational sport fraternity.  This expanded scope will make sports medicine and physiotherapy available to the wider population.

“I joined BMJ also because I share the same philosophy of nurturing our next generation of physiotherapists.  I look forward to partnering BMJ physio to create a community of happy healthy physically fit Singapore.”

Our Alliance

FAQ

Am I suitable for physiotherapy?

You are suitable if you are experiencing discomfort from any one of the following:

  1. Musculoskeletal injuries: Physiotherapy can help treat injuries to bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues, such as sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations.
  2. Chronic pain: Physiotherapy can help manage and alleviate chronic pain due to arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic back pain.
  3. Sports injuries: physiotherapy can help prevent and treat sports and physical activity injuries.
  4. Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation: physiotherapy can help prepare for surgery and aid in recovery from surgeries such as joint replacement or spine surgeries.
What does physiotherapy treat?

Physiotherapy can treat a wide range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. At BMJ, we specialise in treating musculoskeletal conditions. Here are some examples of issues the physiotherapists at BMJ can address:

–   Posture
–   Pain
–   Mobility and range of motion
–   Strength and endurance
–   Balance and coordination
–   Sports-specific injuries and injury prevention

Can my health insurance cover my treatment cost?

We offer Direct Billing (Cashless) from major international insurance listed below:

  • Cigna International
  • Bupa
  • Aetna

You will be entitled to Direct Billing when they issue a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) indicating the number of sessions approved or the coverage amount.

 

Cashless Direct Billing are also available from local Third Party Administrator (TPA) partners listed below:

  • IHP
  • DA care
  • Great Eastern Life
  • AXA-Global Healthcare (formerly known as AXA PPP International)
  • Now Health International

If your insurance is not listed above, your physiotherapy fees might be claimable under Pay and Claim basis from your insurer. Physiotherapy fees are claimable from your insurer under most of medical insurance. If you are planning to claim the charges from your insurer, it would be advisable for you to check with your insurer or agent on the procedures.

Do you work with children?

We are more than pleased to welcome children of all ages.

Can I book online?

You may register with us via our BMJ Physiotherapy website (bmjtherapy.com) or reach us by call (details for each brunch are available on our website).

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

A doctor’s referral is not necessary. However, some insurance plans may require a referral to cover the cost of physiotherapy. It is important to determine their specific requirements with your insurance provider or healthcare system.
Overall, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist.

What is the treatment like? Will it hurt?

The results of the assessment determine the treatment techniques used. Some techniques may require more force, which could cause slight discomfort. It is important to communicate any discomfort you experience to your physiotherapist so they can adjust their treatment methods accordingly.

How long will it take for me to feel better?

The time it takes to recover from an injury or condition varies depending on factors like severity, age, and overall health. Recovery is often a gradual and progressive process that requires patience and consistency. An individualised treatment plan can help optimise recovery. While improvements may take time to happen, progress can be made with consistent effort. Your physiotherapist can estimate your recovery time and give you personalised instructions.
Overall, depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your impairments, you may require just one visit or you may need months of care.

How long does each session last?

Each session typically lasts 45 minutes. This allows enough time for a thorough assessment of the patient’s condition and to develop and implement a personalised treatment plan to address the individual’s specific needs.

How frequent are the sessions?

Typically, during the initial stage of treatment, it is recommended that you attend one or two physiotherapy sessions per week for the first four weeks. The frequency of these sessions may vary depending on the severity of your injury and the estimated recovery time.

What can I expect for my first appointment?

On your first appointment, you will thoroughly assess your condition to diagnose the root cause of your issues. With an accurate diagnosis, our physiotherapist will customise a rehabilitation programme that optimises treatment outcomes.

Treatment typically involves one or a combination of the following treatment techniques during the session:

  • Manual Therapy
  • Soft Tissue Mobilisation
  • Functional Rehabilitation
  • Customised Exercises
  • Electrical modalities, such as shockwave and TENS electrical stimulation therapy,
  • Foot Orthotic Therapy

You can also expect to receive self-management recommendations with home exercises and physical aids prescribed if required.

How should I prepare or dress for my first appointment?

Preparing for your physiotherapy appointment can help you get the most out of the session. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

  1. Gather information: List any symptoms, concerns, or questions about your injury or condition, and remember to bring along your referral letters, medical reports, and diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or an MRI (if applicable).
  2. Wear comfortable clothing. Wear loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move freely. Avoid restrictive clothing that may make it difficult for your physiotherapist to assess your movement.
  3. Arrive about 10 minutes early to allow time for paperwork and intake procedures. This will also give you time to familiarise yourself with the clinic.
Do I need to make an appointment?

Our bookings are mainly by appointment basis thus we recommend that you make an appointment with us to avoid any wasted walk-in appointment request.

Simply call us, message us on our chat box on our website, or via our online booking form on our website.

Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept credit card (Visa/MC/Amex), PayNow and Cash.