Spine and joint recovery

About the programme

Spine and joint recovery: 30 years of experience at the Calendula clinic

Treating the cause, not the symptoms. Returning to free movement.

Back pain or restricted joint mobility is only the tip of the iceberg. Underlying factors most often include pathological protective muscle tension (muscular guarding), intervertebral disc degeneration, nerve root compression and systemic metabolic inflammation that has prevented tissues from recovering fully for years.

At the Calendula clinic, we have brought together academic vertebroneurology, modern device-based technologies and in-depth metabolic medicine. Our goal is not temporary masking of pain, but eliminating its primary source, restoring physiological biomechanics and giving patients back the capacity and skills to regulate their own bodies.

The clinic’s key areas and capabilities

• Precise vertebroneurological diagnostics: A comprehensive medical assessment of neurological status, musculoskeletal biomechanics, posture and muscular guarding. Where necessary, the programme is supplemented by imaging: MRI, X-rays and ultrasound of neck vessels and joints.

• Manual medicine and defanotherapy: Gentle mobilisation techniques, post-isometric relaxation (PIR) and defanotherapy. They relieve functional restrictions and pathological spasm, normalise spinal motion segments and help the body develop natural, symmetrical muscular support.

• High-technology device-based physiotherapy: Robotic BTL-6000 Traction (programmable cyclic traction for disc decompression and herniation regression), high-intensity SIS magnetic therapy (up to 2.5 T for deep spasm relief and neurostimulation), the BTL 6000 high-power laser for tissue bioregeneration, and DUOLITH SD1 shockwave therapy (focused and radial waves for trigger points, osteoarthritis, enthesopathies and heel spurs), electrophoresis and muscle stimulation.

• Regenerative medicine and targeted pain therapy: Targeted therapeutic blocks for rapid acute pain relief and interruption of the pathological pain–spasm cycle, metameric neuron therapy, reflexotherapy, and stimulation of cartilage and ligament recovery using autologous plasma (PRP therapy / plasma lifting) and collagen injections.

• Systemic metabolic care (Ayurveda and hydrotherapy): Deep body cleansing according to Panchakarma protocols, herbal medicine, Zalmanov turpentine baths (capillary therapy), therapeutic nutrition and Ayurvedic treatments (Abhyanga, Udvartana, Shirodhara). They target the metabolic cause: reducing systemic chronic inflammation and restoring tissue nourishment.

• Active rehabilitation and movement habits: Individual therapeutic exercise, kinesitherapy, self-directed psychophysical exercises and teaching patients PIR techniques for use at home. The patient becomes an active participant in their recovery.

Conditions we address

• Spinal conditions: Osteochondrosis, intervertebral disc protrusions and herniations, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis, grade I–III scoliosis, kyphosis, vertebral artery syndrome, low back pain, neck pain, thoracic pain, radiculopathies and sciatica.

• Joint and ligament conditions: Knee and hip osteoarthritis (grades I–II), shoulder periarthrosis, bursitis, epicondylitis, tendinopathies, Achilles tendon pain and heel spurs.

• Neurological syndromes: Tension-type and spinal-origin headaches, nerve entrapment syndromes, muscle-tonic pain, neuralgias and the after-effects of strokes.

• Rehabilitation: Recovery after spinal and joint surgery, rehabilitation after sports and everyday injuries, and fractures.

Stages of treatment

1. Diagnostics and strategy — Consultation with a vertebroneurologist, clinical assessment of biomechanics, muscles and the nervous system, and development of an individual treatment plan.

2. Pain and inflammation relief — Targeted blocks, high-intensity physiotherapy (laser, SIS) and gentle relaxation techniques.

3. In-depth biomechanical correction — BTL traction, manual therapy, defanotherapy, shockwave therapy and metameric treatment.

4. Regenerative and metabolic support — PRP therapy, collagen injections, Zalmanov baths, a Panchakarma course and herbal medicine.

5. Building muscular support — Therapeutic exercise, reinforcing physiological movement patterns and providing tools for independent health management.

Rediscover freedom of movement. Your doctor tailors the treatments, intensity and details of your programme to you, based on your initial examination and test results.

Diagnostics and pain care

A short, complete course to assess the causes of pain, select care and begin appropriate activity.

Medical care. Consultation, necessary investigations and medication when indicated. Where justified, a therapeutic block after discussing contraindications and risks.

Manual methods. Gentle manual therapy and post-isometric relaxation — relaxing a muscle after a small contraction — taking account of symptom acuity.

Physiotherapy. The BTL 6000 high-intensity laser, SIS BTL high-intensity magnetic therapy, electrophoresis or local applications are selected for the specific goal. Reflexotherapy is considered as an additional method.

Movement. Learning suitable exercises, comfortable body positions and a gradual return to everyday activity.

Course goals and final consultation. Assess pain and mobility, explain further management and prepare a home routine with a follow-up schedule.

Mobility and physical rehabilitation

A self-contained course combining therapeutic procedures with regular work on movement. Initial diagnostics and a final assessment are included whether or not you have completed the short programme.

Medical care. Examination, investigations when indicated and monitoring of changes in pain, strength and everyday activity.

Active rehabilitation. Therapeutic exercise, kinesitherapy, exercises for muscle strength and mobility, and instruction in muscle relaxation and activity routines.

Manual methods. Gentle manual therapy, massage, post-isometric relaxation and individually selected defanotherapy — work on protective muscle tension.

Device-based support. DUOLITH SD1 shockwave therapy for suitable tendon and tendon-attachment conditions, BTL 6000 laser, SIS BTL and electrical muscle stimulation. The method is selected according to the clinical goal and permitted intensity.

Additional treatments. The suitability of BTL-6000 Traction, metameric therapy, PRP — injection of your own platelet-rich plasma — and collagen injections is discussed separately. These methods do not justify promises of cartilage restoration or elimination of a disc herniation.

Recovery. Abhyanga, Udvartana, Shirodhara, suitable balneotherapy, personalised nutrition and herbal support. Panchakarma is considered a separate supportive component with preparation and recovery, without replacing orthopaedic treatment.

Course goals and final consultation. Review pain, range of motion and exercise tolerance together. You receive a personalised exercise programme, treatment recommendations and a plan for further follow-up.

Rehabilitation for individual needs

This format is suitable for a complex combination of concerns, postoperative recovery or particular activity restrictions. Duration and sequence are determined after assessing your condition.

Medical care. Review of the diagnosis and previous treatment, coordination of rehabilitation goals with the relevant specialist and necessary examinations.

Movement and treatments. An individual therapeutic exercise routine, suitable manual and device-based methods, and monitoring of intensity and tolerance. Supportive procedures are selected according to symptoms and the recovery stage.

Course goals and final consultation. Assess observable functional changes and prepare the next stage of rehabilitation. You receive recommendations for home exercises, restrictions and review dates; the need for other treatment is determined by the medical situation.