What you need to know about TECAR therapy

Chiropractic Economics sat down with a functional recovery expert to learn more about TECAR therapy and how to add TECAR therapy to your practice and start healing more patients.

What is TECAR therapy?

TECAR therapy is a form of physical therapy that uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate tissue repair and reduce pain. TECAR leverages electromagnetic waves to generate heat within the body tissues, promoting natural healing processes. The following are some key benefits of TECAR therapy:

• Pain relief. TECAR helps alleviate pain by increasing blood flow, improving circulation and promoting the release of endorphins.
• Enhanced healing. The deep heating effect accelerates tissue regeneration and repair processes, making it beneficial for both chronic and acute injuries.
• Improved mobility. By reducing pain and promoting tissue repair, TECAR can improve joint and muscle flexibility.
• TECAR is noninvasive, meaning there is no need for surgical intervention or needles.

How is TECAR therapy changing the chiropractic industry?

TECAR therapy is transforming the chiropractic industry by allowing DCs to generate warmth at different tissue depths using high-frequency currents. This innovative approach not only enhances the effectiveness of traditional chiropractic care but also opens up new possibilities for patient treatment and recovery. Here’s how TECAR therapy is making a significant impact:

• Complementary treatments for your practice. TECAR is an effective complementary treatment option to traditional manual adjustments.
• Expanded services for practices. DCs can offer a broader range of therapeutic options and attract more patients seeking noninvasive pain relief and healing solutions. Radiofrequency devices can be used in combination with manual treatment and other technologies as well.
• Faster recovery times. Patients often experience quicker recovery times from musculoskeletal injuries when TECAR is integrated with chiropractic care.
• Chronic pain management. TECAR is particularly effective for managing chronic pain conditions, enhancing the overall outcomes of chiropractic treatments.
• Enhanced patient experience. The noninvasive, comfortable and pleasant nature of TECAR enhances patient satisfaction and compliance with treatment plans.
• DCs using advanced technologies such as TECAR can set themselves apart from other practitioners.

How do TECAR-specific devices use radiofrequency and regenerative medicine solutions to assist patients?

Devices using TECAR harness the power of radiofrequency to enhance the body’s natural healing process, offering various therapeutic benefits including improved recovery, enhanced mobility and reduced pain, all contributing to a better quality of life.

TECAR has been found to effectively treat both acute injuries and certain chronic conditions. The technology is particularly beneficial during the acute phases of musculoskeletal injuries, as it helps increase tissue drainage, decrease pain perception, improve joint range of motion and enhance quality of life.

The treatment method relies on the well-studied frequency of 448 kHz, which has been shown to produce consistent clinical outcomes. Numerous studies¹ demonstrate how unique fixed radiofrequency at 448 kHz can stimulate stem cell proliferation, mobilize fat deposits, accelerate fibroblast migration, promote chondrocyte differentiation and improve cartilage quality.

How does TECAR therapy differ from laser therapy? What do they have in common?

TECAR and laser therapy are both non-invasive treatment modalities used in chiropractic therapy and rehabilitation to alleviate pain, promote healing and improve tissue function. The technologies share the following characteristics:

• Both therapies are noninvasive and do not require surgical intervention.
• Pain relief. Both are effective in managing pain.
• Tissue healing. Both promote tissue repair and regeneration by enhancing cellular processes.
• Improved circulation. Both can improve blood flow to the treated area, aiding in the healing process.
• Both are generally considered safe with minimal side effects when used appropriately by trained professionals.

There are also some differences between TECAR and laser that you should be aware of.

Mechanism of action

• TECAR uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to generate endogenous heat (heat produced within the body). It works through capacitive and resistive energy transfer, which stimulates the body’s natural repair processes by enhancing blood circulation and promoting cellular metabolism.
• Laser uses focused light energy to penetrate tissues. This light energy is absorbed by cellular photoreceptors, leading to photochemical reactions that enhance cellular repair and regeneration processes.

Application

• TECAR involves the use of a handheld device with capacitive and resistive electrodes applied to the skin. It requires a conductive medium (lotion) to facilitate energy transfer.
• Laser uses a probe or handheld device that emits laser light directly onto the skin over the targeted area. No conductive medium is required.

Treatment depth

• TECAR can penetrate deeper tissues more effectively due to the nature of RF energy.
• The depth of laser penetration varies depending on the wavelength of the laser, typically affecting superficial to moderately deep tissues.

Sensations during treatment

• TECAR patients often feel a deep, gentle warming sensation during treatment.
• Laser patients usually feel a mild warmth or tingling sensation but not as deep as with TECAR.

Indications and usage

• TECAR is often used for musculoskeletal disorders, joint pain, muscle injuries, tendinitis and edema.
• Laser is commonly used for soft tissue injuries, wound healing, circulation and neuropathic pain.

What are some common symptoms or injuries these devices can assist patients with?

Radiofrequency devices are ideal for patients with particular chronic conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis or spine issues, as well as those with acute traumatic injuries, such as specific sprains, tendon injuries, fractures and contusions. Radiofrequency devices can also be used to treat myofascial pain syndrome, tendinopathy, lumbar discopathy, arthritis and arthrosis pain, Achilles tendinopathy and joint pain.

What success metrics can you share?

By utilizing this technology, patients can experience improved recovery, restored mobility and reduced pain, ultimately leading to an improved quality of life. Here is what we have discovered through our scientific research:

• 66% reduction in pain from baseline group²
• 79% of patients improve functional mobility within one to five sessions³
• Improves local blood circulation⁴

What are the benefits of incorporating TECAR into a chiropractic practice?

There are many benefits to incorporating TECAR into a practice, including:

• Offers versatility across various conditions. TECAR therapy is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, including sports injuries, postoperative recovery, chronic pain and degenerative conditions, making it a versatile addition to any DC’s toolkit.
• Attracts new patients. Incorporating TECAR therapy can set a chiropractic practice apart by offering advanced and innovative treatment options, drawing in new patients looking for high-quality care.
• Creates new revenue generation opportunities. TECAR can complement existing treatment modalities, attract patients seeking alternative rehabilitation approaches and create customizable treatment packages, thereby expanding the clinic’s client base.
• Helps differentiate you and give you a competitive edge. Utilizing advanced technology such as TECAR can differentiate a practice from others, positioning it as a provider of cutting-edge care.

Why should DCs consider using TECAR?

TECAR technology offers benefits to DCs as well as their patients, including:

• Broad range of therapeutic options. DCs can offer a broader range of therapeutic options, attracting more patients seeking noninvasive pain relief and healing solutions.
• Complementary to manual adjustments. DCs can incorporate TECAR as a complementary treatment to traditional manual adjustments, preparing tissues and making adjustments more effective and less painful.
• Enhanced patient experience. The noninvasive and pleasant nature of TECAR improves patient satisfaction.
• Faster recovery times. Patients often experience quicker recovery times from musculoskeletal injuries when TECAR is integrated with chiropractic care.
• Immediate and long-lasting results. Patients will be encouraged to complete their treatment cycles, as they will notice results from the first session.

How can DCs implement TECAR into their practice?

Integrating TECAR therapy into a chiropractic practice offers numerous benefits that meet the demands of providing efficient patient care and rapid recovery:

• Efficiency and quick results. DCs often work in private practices where achieving quick results is crucial. Technology, such as radiofrequency devices, is effective in acute situations, as it facilitates mobilization by controlling pain, leading to a significant reduction in recovery time.
• Benefits for chronic conditions. For chronic conditions, the heat effect and increased microcirculation provided by these radiofrequency devices help soften hard structures, improving mobility. This results in shorter recovery times and more efficient treatments, allowing DCs to address deeper tissues more quickly.
• Reduced treatment time. The thermal effect on soft tissues is evident from the beginning of the treatment, which reduces the overall treatment time. This efficiency supports a holistic approach to injury management, enabling practitioners to deliver comprehensive care in less time.
• Cost savings. By reducing recovery times and treatment durations, radiofrequency technology can lead to cost savings for both the practice and patients. More efficient treatments mean DCs can see more patients or allocate time to other important tasks.

XAVIER PUEYO, MSc, is INDIBA’s North American clinical training manager for rehab and sports. He earned an MSc in functional recovery in physical activity and sports, a postgraduate certification in invasive techniques in physiotherapy under musculoskeletal ultrasound and completed numerous specialized courses. To learn more about TECAR, visit indiba.com.

GLORIA N. HALL is editor-in-chief of Chiropractic Economics. Contact her at ghall@chiroeco.com.

References

1. Hernandez-Bule ML, et al. Electric stimulation at 448 kHz promotes proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Physiol. Biochem. 2014;34 (5):1741–1755. Karger. https://karger.com/cpb/article/34/5/1741/73172/Electric-Stimulation-at-448-kHz-Promotes. Accessed August 28, 2024.
2. Kumaran B, Watson T. Thermophysiological responses to capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint: A randomised controlled experimental study. Electromagn Biol Med. 2020;40(1):210-221. Taylor and Francis. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15368378.2020.1846556. Accessed August 28, 2024.
3. Vall J, et al. Monopolar capacitive/resistive radiofrequency 448 Khz (Indiba®), as a rehabilitation therapy in sports medicine.[Clinical case]. Presented at the XXIII Jornadas de la Asociación Española de Baloncesto. Bilbao 20-23 June 2012. https://hubs.ly/Q02MW3ZL0.
4. Yokota Y, et al. Effect of capacitive and resistive electric transfer on tissue temperature, muscle flexibility, and blood circulation. J Nov Physiother. 2017:325. https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/effect-of-capacitive-and-resistive-electric-transfer-on-tissue-temperaturemuscle-flexibility-and-blood-circulation-2165-7025-1000325.php?aid=84611. Accessed August 28, 2024.