Combined physiotherapy is a visit in which Kaloyan Zarkov combines several treatments with different physiotherapy devices. He decides which devices to use, and in what order, after talking to you and examining you, according to your problem. Not every device suits every person and every complaint, so the combination is different for everyone. If you know you need only one device, you can book it separately, for example TECAR therapy.
What to expect
Kaloyan starts with a short conversation and an examination of the area. Then he chooses 2–3 of the devices at the practice, according to your problem:
- TECAR therapy warms the tissues from the inside and reaches the tendons and joints. He often uses it for lower back pain, wear in the knee (knee osteoarthritis) and after injuries.
- Ultrasound therapy acts on a small area, right on the sore spot. He often uses it for shoulder tendonitis and tennis elbow.
- Electrotherapy dulls pain with weak currents for a few hours, for example for lower back and neck pain or sciatica. So it’s best to do your exercises straight after it.
- Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) makes a weakened muscle contract when it can’t do so on its own, for example after weeks in a cast or after knee surgery.
- Infrared therapy gives dry heat from a lamp and relaxes tight muscles. It usually comes before or at the end of a massage or a kinesitherapy session (exercise and manual therapy).
Not everyone needs every device. Kaloyan chooses only those that suit your problem and leaves out those that aren’t suitable for you, for example in pregnancy or with a metal implant in the area.
You lie or sit comfortably. You feel warmth or a light tingling, depending on the device, and Kaloyan sets the intensity according to what you feel. The treatments don’t hurt, and afterwards you can usually carry on with your day as normal. Wear comfortable clothes that leave the area easy to reach.
The devices reduce pain and prepare the tissues, but are rarely the whole treatment. So in most cases Kaloyan uses them during a kinesitherapy session, where they are included in its price and not paid for separately. Combined physiotherapy is for a visit with devices only. You usually need 3–5 sessions, and Kaloyan also gives you a few exercises for home. At a home visit he can also work with a portable device.
What it helps with
- Lower back and neck pain
- Frozen shoulder and shoulder pain
- Wear in the knee or hip joint (osteoarthritis)
- Inflamed tendons (tendonitis), for example tennis elbow or the Achilles tendon
- Sprains and other injuries, once the first few days have passed
- Weakened muscles after a cast or surgery
Who it’s for
- You have pain and stiffness at the same time and want to work on both in one visit.
- You are recovering from an injury and need both warmth and work on the weakened muscle.
- You don’t know which device you need and would rather Kaloyan chose.
When it isn’t suitable
- You have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device. Then TECAR, electrotherapy and electrical muscle stimulation aren’t done, and ultrasound isn’t done near the heart.
- You are pregnant. TECAR isn’t done at all. Electrotherapy, electrical muscle stimulation and ultrasound aren’t done on the abdomen and lower back, and infrared isn’t done on the abdomen.
- You have cancer or a blood clot (thrombosis) in the area, a temperature, an infection, a wound or impaired skin sensation.
- You have a heart condition with an irregular heart rhythm. Then electrical muscle stimulation isn’t done. If you have epilepsy, tell Kaloyan before the treatment.
- Ultrasound isn’t done around the eyes, on the growth plates of a child’s bones or over a cemented joint replacement. If you have another metal implant (plate, screws) in the area, tell Kaloyan: with TECAR he judges whether and how to work, and with some electrotherapy currents the metal gets in the way.
