Tecar therapy: how it works and what to expect

A friend had “Tecar” on their knee and told you they felt a difference. Someone else called it “just an expensive heat pack.” Like most machines in physiotherapy, Tecar tends to provoke one of two opposite reactions: inflated expectations or suspicion. The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in between.

How it works

Tecar therapy uses high-frequency currents to generate heat inside the tissues. The difference from a heat pack is that the heat doesn’t come from the outside. It’s produced inside the body, wherever the current passes.

There are two main modes of application:

• Capacitive: mainly targets tissues with a higher water content, such as muscles and other soft tissues.
• Resistive: targets denser structures, such as tendons, ligaments and the areas around the joints.

The intensity is adjusted to the stage of the problem, from a gentle, barely noticeable warmth to a stronger, deeper heat.

When it has a place

Research generally supports that Tecar can help reduce pain and improve function in certain musculoskeletal conditions, mainly when it’s combined with exercise. In practice, we often use it for:

• muscle strains and injuries
• tendinopathies, such as in the Achilles or patellar tendon
• persistent low back or neck pain
• sprains, once the initial acute phase has passed
• muscle stiffness after hard training

It isn’t a solution on its own, though. A tendon needs load to get stronger. A muscle needs movement to recover. Tecar can make that process more comfortable, not replace it.

“I think of Tecar as a warm-up for the tissues. It opens a window with less pain, and our job is to make good use of it with the right movement.”

What to expect in a session

Before anything else, we’ll go over your history. Tecar has specific contraindications and isn’t suitable for everyone.

During the treatment, a metal return plate rests against your body, usually on your back or leg. The therapist moves the active electrode over the area being treated, using a special conductive cream. You’ll feel a warmth that builds gradually. It should not burn. If it becomes too intense, say so right away.

Often the therapist also works with their hands at the same time, or asks you to make gentle movements while the machine is running. The session almost always ends with exercise.

Afterward, most people feel the area is looser and warmer, and they can go back to their usual activities.

When to ask for help

Before any treatment, your therapist needs to know if:

• you have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device
• you are or might be pregnant
• there’s a suspected blood clot or a known tumor in the area
• the skin in the area has reduced sensation

Also, if your pain comes with significant swelling, fever or an inability to put weight on the leg, or if it started after a serious injury, you need a medical assessment first. In these cases, a proper diagnosis comes before any treatment.

If you’d like to find out whether Tecar is right for your particular problem, book an assessment at Reset Lab.