Through natural biostimulation with electrical currents, Tecar therapy gains space and prominence among physiotherapy and aesthetics professionals, as electrotherapy that promises incredible results to its patients.
Indicated for various health problems, tissue recovery, including facial rejuvenation, the technology is used with other manual therapeutic techniques and exercises.
In order to clarify all the issues surrounding Tecar therapy, we have prepared this article with everything you need to know about it.
Good reading!
What is Tecar Therapy?
As one of the electrotherapy instruments, Tecar therapy (Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive) differs from other techniques in the way it distributes energy through the tissue. This is because it is a deep thermotherapy, that is, non-invasive electrothermal therapy.
The biostimulation of ionic charges naturally present in the soft tissues of the body helps in tissue recovery and reduction of muscle spasms, in addition to reducing cellulite, burning localized fat and fighting sagging. With physiotherapeutic and aesthetic application, Tecar therapy improves the appearance of scars and marks, helping in rejuvenation.
An electric current in the range of 300KHz to 1.2MHz is applied to the region through capacitive or resistive method. The first is indicated for tissues with low resistance to current such as: skin, muscles, connective tissue, lymphatic and circulatory systems. The second to the tissues of greater resistance: joints, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and deep muscle tissues.
What are the main benefits of Tecar Therapy?
Tecar therapy brings benefits to various treatments and problems, by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, for example, the technology provides thickening of the dermis and epidermis. It also promotes vasodilation and increased blood circulation in the treated area, as well as nerve stimulation, increasing metabolic and enzymatic activity. Furthermore:
Reduces cellulite;
Combats sagging skin,
Reduces inflammation and swelling;
Burns localized fats;
Improves acne marks;
Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles;
Provides facial and intimate rejuvenation;
Relieves chronic pain.
In addition to the benefits linked to health and aesthetic treatments, Tecar therapy also has other advantages, such as:
Faster recovery, with better healing;
Lower risk of complications;
Decreased inflammation and pain, due to endorphin release;
Promotion of cellular and tissue regeneration with trauma;
Facilitation of lymphatic drainage;
Elimination of edema.
What are the physiological effects of Tecar Therapy?
The effects on the body occur in three ways, each one promotes different results, making the technique quite versatile. Since one is not better than the other, it all depends on the assessment and treatment indicated by the Physiotherapist.
In the so-called athermic or low energy effect, biostimulation is performed without heat, whose action is aimed at increasing oxygen consumption by cells, accelerating natural regeneration and restoring metabolic balance.
The average energy or thermal effect initiates the thermal action in the deeper tissues. With vasodilation and increased microcirculation, the level of oxygen in the cells increases and, consequently, their metabolism, heating the tissues.
Finally, in the hyperthermic effect or high energy, intense heat is generated due to hyperactivation, considerably increasing blood flow, cellular oxygenation and tissue heating. Which stimulates lymphatic drainage and venous return.
When is it indicated?
Indicated as a treatment for acute and chronic cases, Tecar therapy, as we have seen, is used both in physiotherapy and in the area of aesthetics. The possibility of switching between capacitive and resistive systems gives the professional a wide field of application.
With regard to Physiotherapy, the technology is applied in cases of:
Joint pain and other joint, tendon and muscle pathologies;
Muscle spasms;
Musculoskeletal injuries;
Acute and chronic pain;
Circulation problems, lymphatic drainage and others related to the venous and lymphatic system;
Recovery after physical wear and tear.
While in the field of aesthetics, the professional uses Tecar therapy to:
Reduce sagging, body, facial and intimate;
Improve marks left by acnes;
Soften expression lines;
Treat cellulite;
Burn localized fat;
Improve body contour.
When is Tecar Therapy not indicated?
Tecar therapy is not indicated for some patient profiles, such as:
pregnant women;
People with a pacemaker or metallic prosthesis;
Patients with any inflammatory or infectious process;
Thermal insensitivity;
Those who suffer from venous thrombosis;
And who has some underlying pathology.
Tecar Therapy X Radiofrequency
The main difference between the methods is the prolonged athermia mode of Tecar therapy, which acts in different treatments. With more ease to penetrate the tissues with its electrical current, it reaches deep levels and reduces the internal resistance.
In turn, radiofrequency, through the production of electromagnetic energy, penetrates the tissues and stimulates their heating, but does not allow the use of combined capacitive and resistive applicators.
How does Tecar Therapy work?
Using CAP and RES electrodes, as needed, the thermal induction stimulated by the ionic charges present in the body's soft tissues, produces biostimulation, through which tissue stimulation occurs at the cellular level.
For anodized aluminum applicators with insulated electrode, the capacitive system CAP (Capacitive) produces surface heating, given the low conduction capacity of the applicators. Therefore, the method is indicated for tissues with low resistance to current, offering treatment linked to the lymphatic, circulatory system, muscles, connective tissue and skin.
RES (Resistive System) uses stainless steel applicators with good electrical charge conduction, so they have deeper heating. Hence its application in tissues with greater resistance to electric current and treatment linked to cartilage, ligaments, joints, deep muscle tissues and tendons.
Good results with therapy are due to the interval between sessions, performed according to the therapeutic objective, and the application time, which can vary between 20 and 40 minutes.
In the case of aesthetic procedures, the results of Tecar therapy change according to the person's lifestyle. Therefore, it is recommended that the patient maintain adequate nutrition, practice physical activities and exercises, and drink plenty of water.
Whether for health treatment or aesthetic improvements, Tecar therapy has a care solution for your body.