Let us introduce you to the great physiotherapy team at Balneario de Archena. These professionals are dedicated to offering the best care and personalized attention in every treatment.

Can you tell us about your role as a physiotherapist at Balneario de Archena and how you contribute to the guests’ well-being?

As a physiotherapist at Balneario de Archena, my role focuses on enhancing the well-being of our guests through individualized treatments aimed at comprehensive recovery. I perform detailed evaluations to tailor each treatment plan to the specific needs of every guest.

I offer a variety of personalized treatments, including manual therapy and advanced techniques to relieve pain and speed up recovery. Additionally, I incorporate therapeutic exercises both on land and in thermal pools. Leveraging the healing properties of water to improve mobility and physical function.

I also provide guidance on injury prevention and create rehabilitation plans designed for long-term recovery. My goal is to provide comprehensive care that maximizes the benefits of the spa and promotes overall health and well-being.

What are the most popular physiotherapy treatments requested by guests at the spa, and what health benefits do they offer?

At Balneario de Archena, the most requested physiotherapy treatments include:

• Physiotherapy session (55-60 minutes): The session includes an initial assessment (anamnesis, physiotherapy and/or ultrasound evaluation, and/or osteopathic assessment), followed by the appropriate treatment (manual therapy, complementary therapies, invasive physiotherapy, osteopathy, therapeutic exercise, etc.), based on the professional’s judgment.
  Benefits: Relieves pain, improves mobility, and speeds up injury recovery. It helps restore physical function and overall well-being.
• Hydrotherapy – Pool-based physiotherapy: Rehabilitation performed in a pool with mineral-medicinal and thermal water, using specific techniques made easier by the relative weight reduction when submerged in water. It enhances recovery by allowing early rehabilitation. Exercises for strengthening, balance, coordination, and gait reeducation are performed according to the patient’s needs.
  Benefits: Improves joint mobility, reduces stiffness, and strengthens muscles without putting stress on joints. Thermal water also helps relax muscles and relieve pain.
• Osteopathy: Manipulative, myofascial, and visceral techniques to restore injuries and painful conditions, seeking to achieve overall body balance.
• Back and/or leg release massage: Combines manual and instrument-based techniques, using pressure elements and a massage gun to relax and release back and leg muscles.
  Benefits: Reduces muscle tension, improves circulation, and speeds up recovery after intense physical activity. Ideal for athletes and those with high physical demands.
• Invasive Physiotherapy Techniques:
  • Percutaneous Intratissue Electrolysis (EPI®): This technique uses an electric current through a needle inserted into the damaged tissue to stimulate tissue regeneration and repair. It is particularly effective in treating tendon injuries, relieving pain, and speeding up recovery.
  • Dry Needling: Involves inserting fine needles into myofascial trigger points, which are areas of muscle tension and pain. This technique reduces muscle pain, relieves tension, and improves mobility, especially useful for persistent trigger points.
  • Galvanic Neuromodulation (NMG®): Applies galvanic current to modify nervous system activity and manage pain. It is effective in treating chronic pain and improving muscle function in neuromuscular conditions.

The Balneario de Archena recently opened a new gym. How do you integrate this space into the physiotherapy treatments you provide?

The gym is essential for designing and supervising personalized therapeutic exercise programs. These exercises are tailored to each patient’s individual needs, helping to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility safely and effectively. This accelerates recovery and ensures long-lasting results.

The gym also allows us to perform functional training that simulates patients’ daily and sporting activities, helping them return to normal life more smoothly. It improves functionality and physical capacity while reducing the risk of future injuries.

The controlled environment of the gym ensures that exercises are performed correctly, maximizing the benefits and minimizing injury risks. We also develop preventive programs to maintain well-being and prevent the recurrence of musculoskeletal problems.

Finally, we combine gym exercises with thermal pool treatments, using the water’s properties to enhance physical rehabilitation. This integrated approach makes treatments more effective and provides a complete therapeutic experience for our guests.

How do you adapt physiotherapy treatments and exercise routines in the gym to the individual needs of each guest?

We begin by conducting a detailed initial assessment of each guest’s medical history and goals. Based on this information, we create a personalized treatment plan that includes specific techniques and exercises.

In the gym, we design customized exercise routines that are adjusted based on the patient’s progress. We use the available equipment to optimize rehabilitation and monitor their progress closely, adjusting the treatment as necessary.

We also integrate complementary therapies like thermal pool exercises to provide a holistic approach. Additionally, we offer personalized education and guidance so guests can continue their recovery at home and prevent future injuries. This ensures that each guest receives care tailored to their specific needs.

Balneario de Archena is renowned for its thermal waters and natural surroundings. How do you integrate these elements with the new gym facilities in physiotherapy treatments?

At Balneario de Archena , we combine the benefits of thermal waters and natural surroundings with the new gym to provide a complete physiotherapy experience.

After gym sessions, guests can perform exercises in the pool to take advantage of the relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties of the thermal water. This combination improves mobility and accelerates recovery.

Treatment plans often include exercises both in the gym and the thermal pool, ensuring more effective and comprehensive rehabilitation. The spa’s natural surroundings also create a calming environment for guests, enhancing their overall well-being.

The combination of pool therapy to reduce inflammation and pain, and gym-based strengthening exercises offers a balanced recovery, benefiting both physical and mental health.

What advantages does combining gym use with thermal and physiotherapy treatments offer for guests’ recovery and overall well-being?

Using the gym along with thermal therapies and physiotherapy at
Balneario de Archena accelerates and enhances recovery. The gym strengthens muscles and prevents injuries, while the thermal waters relieve pain and reduce inflammation. This comprehensive approach improves physical recovery and promotes mental and emotional well-being, providing a balanced, relaxing recovery experience.

What recommendations do you give guests to maintain the benefits of physiotherapy treatments and physical exercise once they leave the spa?

We recommend that guests follow a personalized exercise plan at home and maintain a regular physical activity routine. We also provide guidance on healthy posture habits and suggest relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Guests are encouraged to continue with proper self-care, including adequate rest, and if possible, practice water-based exercises to maintain the benefits gained during their stay.

Do you have any memorable experiences working with guests at Balneario de Archena, including using the new gym, that you’d like to share?

One memorable experience involved a guest recovering from knee surgery. Initially, he had very limited mobility and was frustrated at not being able to return to his active life. We started with gentle exercises in the thermal pool to relax muscles and reduce inflammation. Gradually, we introduced gym sessions to strengthen his muscles progressively and safely.

By the end of his stay, not only had his physical abilities improved, but he also regained his motivation and confidence. He even shared with me that, thanks to the combination of therapies and the gym, he felt like the active person he was before surgery.

The team is formed by:

Antonino Ivan Marchese

• Graduated: UCAM, 2018
• Specializations: Invasive physiotherapy and osteopathy.
• Additional Training:
  • D.O. in Osteopathy
  • Essential Course in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • EPI® and Galvanic Neuromodulation Techniques
  • Dry Needling for myofascial trigger points
  • Generic Sports Massage

Pablo Abenza Sánchez

• Graduated: UMU, 2020
• Specializations: Invasive and sports physiotherapy.
• Additional Training:
  • Master’s in Physiotherapy
  • Essential Course in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • EPI® and Galvanic Neuromodulation Techniques
  • Dry Needling and Electropuncture
  • Generic Sports Massage

Miriam Soler Ortega

• Graduated: UMU, 2023
• Current Studies: Master’s in Musculoskeletal Osteopathy.
• Additional Training:
  • Dry Needling and Electropuncture
  • Therapeutic Pilates
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

José Manuel González López

• Graduated: UMU, 2023
• Additional Training:
  • Dry Needling and Electropuncture for clinical pathology
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

If you’re interested in experiencing the health and wellness programs offered at Balneario de Archena, SIS Wellness Holidays provides all the information you need to plan your stay. Discover the rejuvenating benefits of thermal water treatments and personalized physiotherapy in a serene natural setting.

 

This blog is written by your Sister in Wellness Neel, one of the two sisters that founded SIS Wellness Holidays. The SISters Femke & Neel live in Spain, where they continuously seek out the finest health and wellness resorts, as well as rejuvenating retreats. We hope to motivate you with our advice and tips on living a healthy lifestyle, so you can be the best version of yourself!