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TECAR© stands for the spanish acronym Tranferencia Electica CApacitiva Resistiva, meaning Capacitive Resistive Electric Transference. TECAR Therapy is a deep tissue thermotherapy that utilises the increase in local tissue temperature in combination with sub thermal application to ultimately relieve pain. Currents of high frequency, ranging between 300KHz and 1.2MHz are applied to the targeted area and create an electromagnetic field that generates heat.
The main mechanisms of TECAR Therapy are as follows:
- The heat increases blood circulation which provides oxygenated blood to the area
- The vasodilation reduces oedema, pain and inflammation via the enhancement of the lymphatic system. The acceleration of drainage is 6 times faster than normal!(1)
- There is also an influx of reparative molecules/functions to stimulate the healing mechanisms and accelerate physiological processes of tissue production
- TECAR therapy also provides pain relief via enhancement of endorphin production. The antalgic immediate and lasting effect has 81% efficiency!(2)
(1) Winback Medical. TECAR Therapy – Product Catalogue. (2) Sohani, Soheil. (2021). Radiofrequency in Musculoskeletal Pain. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351344463_Radiofrequency_in_Musculoskeletal_Pain
TECAR Therapy is most suitable for the following conditions:
- Acute or chronic injuries/inflammation
- Muscle spasms
- Joint pain
- Synovitis
- Tendinopathy
- Post-surgical pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Low back pain
- Bruises or sprains
- Neuropathies
- Vascular and lymphatic system disorders
- Orthopaedic disorders of the peripheral nervous system
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
Studies have shown the beneficial effects of TECAR therapy are immediate, and some experts say you only need to undergo a single session to witness it’s therapeutic effectiveness.(3)
(3) Hawamdeh, M. and Phd, P. (2014). The effectiveness of Capacitive Resistive Diathermy (Tecartherapy®) in acute and chronic musculoskeletal lesions and pathologies. https://eis.hu.edu.jo/deanshipfiles/pub110575125.pdf.
FAQs:
1. How long are treatment sessions, and how often are treatments recommended?
The treatment can be done 2-5 times a week, depending on the severity of the symptoms. There is no maximum number of treatments as TECAR Therapy is a safe, non-invasive option. The treatment can vary in duration depending on the severity of the symptoms.
TECAR Therapy produces impressive results over sessions due to the ability to vary in frequency, therefore allowing for superficial or deep treatment, depending on what is required to the specific patient. The device can automatically switch to every available frequency which prevents the tissue from getting used to a single frequency and therefore stops the therapy from becoming ineffective.
When the frequency is higher, the effect is more superficial, and when the frequency is lower, the effects will be deeper!
2. Is this treatment painful?
TECAR Therapy is a non-ablative, non-invasive technique. Patients do not find the treatment painful, and have reported a pleasant warm sensation during the procedure.
The more power used, the more heat produced, which can provide slight discomfort at high temperatures. Vascularisation and drainage are immediate and controlled by the heat produced:
3. How can TECAR therapy help my acute back pain?
In your initial appointment, the physiotherapist will begin by massaging the edges of the painful area with low power. The machine will increase to moderate-high power for a prolonged muscle massage and stretching of the back. The session then ends with a return to normal temperature.
In a subsequent appointment, the physiotherapist will apply moderate-high power for a longer duration to achieve optimal results in pain relief.
Studies have shown that there is a ~40% improvement of symptoms when using TECAR therapy to treat lower back pain!(4)
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(4) Ribeiro, S., Henriques, B. and Cardoso, R. (2018). The Effectiveness of Tecar Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders. International Journal of Public Health and Health Systems, 3(5), pp.77–83. https://harlanhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-Effectiveness-of-Tecartherapy-in-Musculoskeletal-Disorders.pdf.
4. How can TECAR therapy help with my sprained ankle?
We start off with high power on the arch of the foot to stimulate the lymph nodes for drainage. This will decrease swelling. With moderate-high power, we will massage the contracted muscles followed by a moderate-low power massage of the muscles and tendons. This will allow the ankle bone and fibula to mobilise. The treatment will end with a return to normal temperature on the joint.
Studies have shown patients with lateral ligament sprains of the ankle joint that have been treated with TECAR therapy show improved symptoms including decreased swelling, pain relief, increased satisfaction with daily activities and a return to being able to function normally faster!(5)
(5) Davari, A., Mansour Sohani, S., Sarrafzadeh, J. and Nikjoui, A. (2021). Evaluation of the Effects of Tecar Therapy on Acute Symptoms of Athletes Following Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprain. Function and Disability Journal, 4(1), pp.31–31. doi:10.32598/fdj.4.31.
5. How can TECAR therapy help with my acute neck pain?
In the initial appointment, we begin with moderate-high power on all vertebrae and muscles of the neck. A moderate-low power is then used on the joints to mobilise the neck. The area treated is then cooled down. The subsequent appointment follows the same treatment regime.
Studies have shown improvement in pain relief and flexibility in the movement of the neck when treated with TECAR therapy!(6)
(6) Park, S.-E., Lee, H.-R. and Park, S.-J. (2018). The Effect of Corrective Exercise and TECAR therapy on neck alignments and pain in Forward Head Posture Patients. Journal of Digital Convergence, 16(11), pp.543–551. doi:10.14400/JDC.2018.16.11.543.
6. How can TECAR therapy help with my chronic tendinitis in the long biceps muscle?
The treatment begins with a moderate-low powered massage to mobilise the shoulder. The distal pectoralis major muscle to the injury is then tensed while the injured muscle continues to be massaged. The power increases to moderate-high while the massage continues. To end the treatment, the area is returned to normal temperature to mobilise the cervical spine/neck. The temperature of the joint is then returned to normal.
The aim of the first session is to eliminate tensions such as inflammation, contractures or fibroses. Once these issues are resolved, the patient will move without pain and recover full mobility.
7. How can TECAR therapy help with my fibromyalgia?
In the initial session, we being with a small overall massage to eliminate tension points with a moderate-low power. The session ends with a cool down.
In subsequent sessions, we use a moderate-high power to massage the body in order to eliminate tension points. This is followed by intensive mobilisation of affected regions, and the session then ends with a cool down.
Patients leave feeling generally more energised and stronger- physically and mentally. The complete pain relief and improved tissue mobility that TECAR therapy provides allows longer times between subsequent sessions!
8. Is the procedure safe, and if any, what are the side effects?
There are no side effects to TECAR Therapy, however people with very sensitive skin or when high temperatures are reached may suffer from some redness or tingling of the skin.
While TECAR therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, there are some risks involved, including but not limited to:
- Skin irritation or redness in the treated area.
- A slight increase in local pain or discomfort following the treatment.
- Allergic reactions to the electrodes or conductive gel used during the therapy.
- Potential worsening of symptoms in rare cases.
- The risk of burns, superficial injuries and the aggravation of haemorrhages or diseases with tumour characteristics in rare cases.
9. Who may not be suited to this treatment?
- People with pacemakers or other electronic implants
- Pregnant people, especially directly over the abdomen area
- People with wounds or burns i.e., non-intact skin
- Thrombophlebitis
10. How can TECAR therapy help with women’s health?
In active women, TECAR can help with:
- Detox: organs such as the liver, colon, kidneys, lungs and skins are drained from toxins to build their effectiveness and boost immunity.
- Stress relief: the aim is to release tension points and restore the full range of respiratory motion.
- Pelvic congestion syndrome: the aim is to improve vascularisation of the uterus, remobilise the uterus and bladder, and improve pelvic muscles and ligaments.
- Endometriosis: outside of menstruation, the aim is to stop/limit the tissue scarring and thickening of the uterine wall, while during menstruation, the aim is to decongest the uterine area.
- Calcaneal spine
- Migraines
In new mothers, TECAR can help with:
- Post-partum
- Heavy legs: the aim is to stimulate the deep venous system and reduce venous stasis.
- Stretch marks
- Cellulite
- Scar
- Postural dorsalgia: pain in the upper back can be attributed to anxiety, stress, exhaustion, mammary hypertrophy or breastfeeding. Therefore, the aim is to relax the pectoralis muscles and open up the sternum to relieve pressure off the back.
In post-breast cancer patients:
- Scar protocol: the aim is to restore elasticity and beauty from scarring after radiotherapy.
- Protocol mobilisation of shoulders: the aim is to allow a range of motion for all planes to be restored.
- Return to physical activity
- Lymphatic drainage
In pre/post menopause women, TECAR therapy can help with:
- Hallux valgus: the aim is to reduce inflammation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and mobilise other supporting muscles of the hip, leg, ankle and foot.
- Rhizarthrosis: the aim is to improve the functioning of the joints, such as the wrist.
- Constipation: by increasing colon vascularisation, and releasing zones of stasis, this can support peristalsis.
- Anti-aging: the aim is to stimulate collagen production to achieve a lifting effect.
- Osteoporosis
- Vaginal dryness: the aim is to increase blood flow to Bartholin glands and mucosa to support vaginal lubrication, improve tissue strength and increase vaginal tone.
For more information about how Modern Physiotherapy can help with Women’s Health, click here.