Prof. Akanksha Saxena is an accomplished physiotherapy academician, researcher, clinician, and rehabilitation professional with extensive experience in neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and functional rehabilitation. She is currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Physiotherapy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College & Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, a position she has held since July 2026.

Previously, she served as an Associate Professor at Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, from February 2020 to June 2026. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant Professor at Maharaja Agrasen Medical College and Hospital, Agroha, Hisar, from March 2017 to February 2020. She also served as a Senior Physiotherapist at Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon, as part of the Neuro-Surgery team headed by Prof. V. S. Mehta, from June 2016 to February 2017.

Her professional expertise encompasses the management of orthopedic and neurological conditions, including stroke, Parkinsonism, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, peripheral nerve injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and other complex rehabilitation conditions.

Research & Scholarly Contributions

Prof. Saxena has an impressive research portfolio comprising 52 research publications, along with numerous abstract publications addressing contemporary areas of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Her research interests include neurodynamic mobilization, stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, neurological assessment, pulmonary rehabilitation, women's health, post-menopausal health, dysmenorrhea, primitive reflexes, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, diabetes-related complications, and therapeutic exercise.

Her recent scholarly work includes studies and reviews on manual therapy and pulmonary function, graphesthesia, retained primitive reflexes, exercise interventions for post-menopausal women, intermittent fasting and cardiovascular health, Nordic walking in COPD, pranayama, diaphragmatic breathing, Buteyko breathing, piriformis syndrome, and blood-flow-restriction training in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Copyrights & Intellectual Contributions

Prof. Saxena has demonstrated substantial intellectual and academic productivity through 32 registered copyrights/design-related intellectual contributions. These include rehabilitation protocols, assessment tools, interview schedules, questionnaires, neurological assessment proformas, neural mobilization protocols, pulmonary rehabilitation tools, spinal cord injury rehabilitation pathways, post-menopausal rehabilitation protocols, and interventions for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, piriformis syndrome, and cervicogenic headache.

These contributions reflect her commitment to translating physiotherapy research into structured clinical assessment and rehabilitation resources.

Patents & Innovation

Prof. Saxena has contributed to healthcare innovation through multiple intellectual property achievements. Her innovations include a lumbosacral orthotic device with air-filled chambers and modular pressure regulation, the Sitting Functional Reach Test Device, a modified brace for knock knees, and a cryogun nitrogen-based vagus nerve stimulation device. These innovations demonstrate her interest in developing practical technologies and devices that can support assessment, rehabilitation, and patient care.

Books & Academic Contributions

She has contributed chapters to internationally published academic books, including Springer and Bentham Science publications. Her contributions cover nerve-targeted rehabilitation approaches for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neurological assessment scales for spinal cord injury, elderly populations, and coma. She has also contributed chapters on wearable sensors and AI in Parkinson's disease and AI-driven IoT wearables for neurocognitive disorders, reflecting her engagement with emerging technology in rehabilitation sciences.

Certifications & Professional Development

Prof. Saxena has undertaken extensive professional training and certification. Her certifications include Antenatal and Postnatal Exercise Specialist, BLS and ACLS Provider through the American Heart Association, Neurodynamic Solutions for Upper and Lower Quarter, Basic Wheelchair Skills, and a Diploma in Naturopathy and Yoga.

She has also completed NPTEL-certified courses in Health Research Fundamentals, Basic Cognitive Processes, and Applied Ergonomics through IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur. In addition, she has completed numerous Faculty Development Programmes in e-content development, health-profession education, qualitative data analysis, online teaching and evaluation, curriculum design, digital teaching tools, mentoring, employability skills, and research capabilities.

Awards, Presentations & Academic Recognition

Prof. Saxena has demonstrated excellence in academic presentations and professional forums. She received the First Prize in an Oral Paper Presentation at SYNAPSE-2022 for her work on the development and content validation of an interview guide for physical and vocational rehabilitation in paraplegics.

She has served as a resource person and speaker in workshops addressing neural mobilization, lower-quadrant pain, neuro-emergencies, cognition and metacognition after menopause, and holistic health. She has also served as a Chairperson for a Scientific Session at an international conference.

Her academic achievements include the Best Academician Award by Physioconnect 2023 and the Academic Eminence Award by Physioconnect 2024, recognizing her contributions to physiotherapy education and academic development.

Clinical & Professional Expertise

With extensive hands-on clinical experience, Prof. Saxena has worked with diverse orthopedic and neurological conditions, including fractures, soft-tissue injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, amputations, low-back pain, CRPS, stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinsonism, spinal cord injury, poliomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, hydrocephalus, spina bifida, brain tumors, muscular dystrophy, peripheral and cranial nerve injuries, and traumatic brain injury.

Her combination of clinical expertise, teaching, research, innovation, and professional development has enabled her to contribute across both academic and healthcare settings.

Women-Centered Research & Impact

A notable component of Prof. Saxena's research portfolio focuses on women's health and rehabilitation. Her scholarly work includes research on dysmenorrhea, post-menopausal women, antenatal and postnatal exercise, pulmonary function in lactating mothers, and holistic management approaches for PCOS. Her research and academic activities demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach toward improving women's physical health, functional capacity, quality of life, and rehabilitation outcomes.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award 

Prof. Akanksha Saxena demonstrates strong credentials for consideration for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels. Her eligibility is supported by her sustained academic career, 52 research publications, extensive intellectual-property contributions, multiple patents and registered designs, internationally published book chapters, professional certifications, clinical rehabilitation expertise, academic awards, research presentations, and contributions as a resource person and speaker.

Her work combines physiotherapy research, neurological rehabilitation, women's health, clinical innovation, assistive technology, and emerging AI-enabled rehabilitation approaches. Her achievements in research dissemination, intellectual property creation, academic leadership, and professional education collectively reflect a significant contribution to physiotherapy and rehabilitation sciences.

On the basis of her research productivity, academic achievements, clinical expertise, intellectual contributions, innovation, and sustained professional engagement, Prof. Akanksha Saxena is eligible for consideration for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels.