Frequently Asked Questions
Practitioners
Human Tecar is the delivery of radiofrequency current to the body in a monopolar circuit via electrodes at a very specific frequency of 447kHz. The 447kHz frequency can be used with or without heat to treat large/deep areas within the body. It utilizes diathermy (an increase in temperature) to trigger the body’s natural responses. It also has an analgesic effect to support pain reduction.
Tecar therapy uses capacitive and resistive electrodes to transmit the energy throughout the tissues in a monopolar circuit from the active electrode to a neutral return plate.
High-impedance (capacitive) electrodes are designed with a resistive polymer coating on the electrode, focusing the therapeutic effect on soft, highly vascularized tissue that contains a lot of water.
Low-impedance (resistive) electrodes are stainless steel, and focus the same radio frequency on deeper, less vascularized, and therefore more resistive tissues like tendons, ligaments, scars and other fibrotic tissue.
Heat, if appropriate or needed for treatment, is created by the Joule Effect. Current is heat neutral as introduced into the body. As the electrons pass through resistive tissue, friction creates heat. The more resistive the tissue, the more heat is created. The heat that is generated by Human Tecar is, therefore, created from the inside out. The therapeutic effects are not absorbed by superficial tissue and are longer-lasting than what can be produced by competing technologies.
With both capacitive and resistive electrodes, and energy flows that enable treatment of tissue from the inside out, even in places you can’t reach through traditional modalities, you can achieve outstanding head-to-toe results.
Human Tecar has evolved over 45 years of high-level feedback, research, and study. We have made significant investments in partnerships with world-class athletes, medical experts, and universities globally to determine that 447 kHz is the ideal frequency. The 447 kHz frequency used by Human Tecar resonates with the natural frequency of biological tissues, thereby enhancing energy transfer and therapeutic effects. This frequency falls within the optimal range for Tecar therapy, ensuring effective penetration and absorption of energy by the body, reducing the risk of tissue damage or overheating. Additionally, research has shown that 447 kHz is effective in improving microcirculation and promoting recovery. The use of this specific frequency is a key aspect of Human Tecar's technology and is considered a significant factor in its therapeutic effectiveness.
Depending on the chosen temperature, different effects are obtained:
- At sub thermal levels, due to the unique 447kHz frequency, biostimulation occurs. It can also help with pain relief.
- At mild temperature levels, the main method of action is vascularization. We see an increase in deep blood flow delivering more oxygen and nutrients for repair. Muscle spasms and pain are decreased.
- At elevated temperatures, there is a hyperactivation effect, which increases both deep blood flow volume and intensity (Kumaran & Watson 2017). In aesthetics, the high tissue temperature can also temporarily reduce cellulite appearance.
Human Tecar is cleared by the FDA, and also has a European CE mark. Human Tecar is FDA cleared as follows:
“The Human Tecar HCR 1002 is a temporary diathermy device for topical heating in order to increase the patient's tissue temperature for treating: relief of pain, muscle spasms, increase in local circulation. The device has also been designed to provide massage aiming to temporarily reduce the cellulite appearance.”
It is supported by over 45 years of clinical and scientific study to ensure its safety and efficacy.
While the FDA clearance is limited in scope (see above), clinical studies have shown that Human Tecar reduces pain and increases blood flow (bringing in nutrients and oxygen), which supports the process of healing after an injury and provides a number of other benefits. Human Tecar treatments set off a chain of events within the body to biostimulate the treatment area to boost the body’s natural processes. It has been shown in studies to reduce swelling and bruising. See clinical articles that demonstrate these various benefits.
No, the laser uses light to penetrate the skin and affect treated tissue. Multi Radiance, super pulsed lasers penetrate up to 5cm into the target tissue, with a fixed spot size to provide focused biochemical changes. Human Tecar uses RF energy to flow from one electrode to the neutral return plate (wherever that is placed), allowing for the treatment to go deeper and affect wider areas of tissue in a single treatment. Lasers treat from the outside in, whereas Human Tecar treats from the inside out.
Pacemakers or other types of electronic implants. Pregnancy. Thrombophlebitis.
It is not contraindicated in the case of metallic implants (hip, knee replacements, and metal pins and plates). The user’s manual includes the full list and will also be covered during training.
There are some instances where Human Tecar can be used but your therapist will decide if it is appropriate in the case of the following:
- Infections: do not treat the infected area directly.
- Anticoagulant medication: consult with your physician.
- Impaired sensation: Apply less output power, pay close attention to skin color changes, and palpate the skin to receive feedback and control the local heat.
The user’s manual includes the full list and will also be covered during training.
It will depend on the regulations in each state. We recommend that you contact your local state representative for more licensing information.
Yes. Human Tecar provides training to those who have purchased the system. Everyone who is using the device should have had training before using it to ensure it is used in the correct way and to get the best results.
As you become familiar with the devices, we have more advanced training that enables you to specialize. Contact us if you are interested in knowing about upcoming training events in your area.
There are scientific studies that show that TECAR therapy will accelerate recovery from injury. This is because of multiple actions on the treated tissues at different phases of healing. Biostimulation helps with the processes going on at a cellular level, which is particularly useful in accelerating recovery in the acute phase. When blood flow is increased the increase in delivery of nutrients and oxygen certainly helps healing. When introducing heat these bio-chemical reactions can be increased. All these things help the body to do its normal job of healing in a more efficient way. For more information, check out some of the scientific studies here.
Patients
During the treatment, the therapist will use conductive cream on the skin to help deliver the current to the tissue. Most patients find the treatment to be extremely comfortable. Patients report the feeling of warmth at varying levels, superficially or deeper within tissue depending on the treatment goals. Most patients report that it is a pleasant, relaxing treatment.
This depends on the type of treatment. Chronic conditions normally need more sessions than acute conditions. The number of treatments can vary from one to six or more. Often patients love their results so much, that they keep coming back for additional treatments. Ask your healthcare professional for more information, specific to your case.
There is no limit; the number of sessions will vary from case to case, depending on the condition to treat andits severity. You can have maintenance treatments to prolong the results if you have a chronic problem or want to see more lasting effects.
The effects may last for a long time depending on the treatment session features. Often the result lasts longer once you have had a couple of sessions. For chronic Osteoarthritis pain, people have reported the effects lasting up to three months (Kumaran and Watson 2019).
Human Tecar therapy is innocuous to the body and very pleasant. However, in the case of patients with very sensitive skin or when very high temperatures are reached, there can be some mild redness related to increased circulation that will fade quite quickly following treatment.
There are scientific studies that show that Tecar therapy will accelerate recovery from injury. This is because of multiple actions on the treated tissues at different phases of healing. Biostimulation helps with the processes at a cellular level, which is particularly useful in accelerating recovery in the acute phase. When blood flow is increased, the increase in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen certainly helps healing. When introducing heat, these bio-chemical reactions can be increased. All these things help the body do its normal job of healing in a more efficient way. Read some of the scientific studies here.
No, the laser uses light to penetrate the skin and affect treated tissue. Multi Radiance, super pulsed lasers penetrate up to 5cm into the target tissue, with a fixed spot size to provide focused biochemical changes. Human Tecar uses RF energy to flow from one electrode to the neutral return plate (wherever that is placed), allowing for the treatment to go deeper and affect wider areas of tissue in a single treatment. Lasers treat from the outside in, whereas Human Tecar treats from the inside out.
Yes, Human Tecar is FDA cleared for relief of pain and has years of study demonstrating its ability to reduce pain anywhere in the body. Human Tecar should be delivered as part of a whole package of treatment including advice and self-management guidance from your therapist.
It is not contraindicated in the case of metallic implants (hip, knee replacements, and metal pins and plates)
Yes and yes. In fact, the efficacy of the Human Tecar technology is often improved when used in combination with other modalities, such as IASTM.
Normally, the healthcare professional can do manual therapy or myofascial techniques while treating with Human Tecar at the same time without issues. When working with a different tool or device, treatment should remain separate for a determined amount of time.
If high temperatures have been used in the injured area during the treatment, you should avoid any excessive training on that day. The area should be left in “semi-rest”. The analgesic effect is very strong, and the injured area could be overworked without the patient’s awareness. We recommend talking to your practitioner for their recommendations.