# Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) - Web page: https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/electrostimulation/ - Category: [Physiotherapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy.md) - Price: €25.00 - Duration: 15 min - Feel: muscle contracts - Pain: none - How often: every few days - Address: 10 Popovo Street, Lozenets, Sofia, 1409 - Opening hours: Mon - Fri | 9:00 - 19:00 - Phone: +359 886 750 462 - WhatsApp: +359 886 750 462 - Viber: +359 886 750 462 - Book online: https://superdoc.bg/lekar/kaloyan-zarkov - Booking page: https://kainezitherapy.com/en/appointments/ Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS): a current that makes a weak muscle contract when it can’t on its own, for example after surgery or immobilisation. ![Electrodes for electrical muscle stimulation on the thigh](https://kainezitherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/electrostimulation-2-1024x765.webp) Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) makes a muscle contract using a weak electric current, delivered through electrodes on the skin. It is used when a muscle has weakened and doesn’t switch on well by itself: after surgery, after a long time immobilised in a cast, or because of a trapped nerve. EMS helps to “wake up” the muscles, but it doesn’t replace exercise. That is why Kaloyan combines the two. ## What to expect Kaloyan places a few adhesive electrodes on the skin over the muscle and gradually increases the current. First you feel tingling, then the muscle begins to contract by itself. Kaloyan chooses the pulse frequency according to the type of damage and the area, and sets the intensity so that the contraction is clear but not unpleasant. He will often ask you to tighten the muscle along with the current, because the effect is better that way. The treatment doesn’t hurt. Afterwards the muscle may feel slightly tired, as it does after a workout. It is usually done every few days as part of rehabilitation, until the muscle starts to work well enough on its own. ## What it helps with - A weak quadriceps (the muscle at the front of the thigh) after knee surgery - Muscle wasting (atrophy) after a cast or a long time in bed - Muscle weakness caused by a trapped nerve, for example with a herniated disc - A muscle weakened by nerve damage, for example a “drop foot” (peroneal nerve palsy) or a drooping half of the face (facial nerve palsy) - Difficulty switching on the muscles around the shoulder or knee because of pain - Keeping the muscles working when you can’t put load on them yet ## Who it’s for - After surgery, your muscle “doesn’t listen” and you can’t tighten it. - Your leg or arm has weakened after weeks in a cast. - You have muscle weakness caused by a nerve problem, and your doctor has recommended stimulation. ## When it isn’t suitable - You have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device. - You are pregnant, if the area is the abdomen or lower back. - You have a blood clot (thrombosis) in the area, or a heart condition with an irregular rhythm. - You have cancer in the area, or a wound or irritated skin under the electrodes. - You have epilepsy. Tell Kaloyan before the treatment. ## Conditions it helps with - [Effects of a stroke](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/nervous-system/stroke/) - [Knee osteoarthritis](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/gonarthrosis/) Performed by ## Kaloyan Zarkov, kinesitherapist - Kinesitherapy degree, NSA “Vassil Levski” - 10+ years of practice [About us](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/about/) ## Frequently asked questions ### Does electrical muscle stimulation hurt? No. You feel tingling and the muscle contracting. Kaloyan raises the intensity gradually and stops at a level you find tolerable. ### Can I lose weight or shape my abdomen with EMS? No. EMS at the practice is part of the rehabilitation of a weak muscle. It doesn’t burn fat and doesn’t replace training. ### How many sessions will I need? It depends on how weak the muscle is. Usually the stimulation continues until the muscle starts to switch on well during exercises, often a few weeks. ### How is it different from electrotherapy? EMS makes the muscle contract so that it gets stronger. Electrotherapy uses currents that don’t contract the muscle and mainly reduce pain. ## More in Physiotherapy [All services in Physiotherapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/) - [TECAR therapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/tecar-therapy/) · 20 min · €25.00 · TECAR therapy in Sofia: radiofrequency energy that warms tissue from the inside and helps with back, joint and tendon pain and with recovery after injury. - [Electrotherapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/electrotherapy/) · 15 min · €25.00 · Electrotherapy for pain, with currents such as TENS and interferential current: it relieves back, neck and joint pain and nerve pain (neuralgia). - [Ultrasound therapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/ultrasound-therapy/) · 15 min · €25.00 · Ultrasound therapy for tendon, ligament and joint pain: a short, painless treatment that targets the exact spot that hurts. - [Infrared therapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/infrared-therapy/) · 20 min · €25.00 · Infrared therapy with a heat lamp: dry, pleasant warmth that relaxes tight muscles and eases stiffness before or after a massage or exercises. - [Combined physiotherapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/combined-physiotherapy/) · 30 min · €25.00 · Combined physiotherapy: several device treatments in one visit, with Kaloyan choosing the physiotherapy devices to suit your problem. ## Want to improve your health? Get in touch for a personal consultation. [Book an appointment](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/appointments/) [+359 886 750 462](tel:+359886750462)