The short version.
- Capacitive mode (CET) uses an insulated electrode and concentrates the energy in tissue with a high water content, so it suits muscle and softer tissue closer to the surface.
- Resistive mode (RET) uses an uninsulated electrode and concentrates the energy in tissue that resists the current, such as tendon, ligament, bone, and deep joints.
- Your physiotherapist chooses the mode during the assessment. You do not pick it, and one session often uses both modes in sequence.
What the two modes actually do.
TECAR stands for capacitive and resistive energy transfer. The machine sends a radiofrequency current at around 500 kHz into the body through a hand-held electrode. The current creates gentle warmth deep inside the tissue rather than only on the skin. The word in the name that matters here is the difference between capacitive and resistive, because that is what decides where the warmth lands.
In capacitive mode, the electrode is insulated with a thin coating. That coating makes the electrode behave like one side of a capacitor, which is a component that stores and passes energy. The energy gathers in tissue that holds a lot of water and conducts the current easily. Muscle is a good example. So capacitive mode is the usual choice for muscle and for softer tissue sitting between the skin and the deeper structures.
In resistive mode, the electrode is uninsulated, with no coating. Now the energy seeks out the tissue that resists the current the most. Tendon, ligament, bone, and the deeper joint structures all resist more than muscle does, so the warmth concentrates there. This is why resistive mode is the usual choice when the problem is a tendon, a ligament, or a joint sitting deep under other tissue.
Capacitive and resistive side by side.
| Feature | Capacitive (CET) | Resistive (RET) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrode | Insulated, with a thin coating | Uninsulated, no coating |
| Tissue it targets | Tissue high in water, such as muscle and soft tissue | Tissue that resists current, such as tendon, ligament, bone, joint |
| Typical depth | Surface to intermediate | Deeper structures |
| Common use | Muscle tightness, warming and preparing tissue | Tendon and ligament problems, stiff deep joints |
| What you may feel | Gentle, spreading warmth | A deeper, more focused warmth |
The return plate completes the circuit.
In both modes you will notice a flat plate resting against your body, often on the back or under a limb. This is the return electrode. For the current to do any work, it has to flow out of the treatment electrode, travel through your tissue, and return to the machine. The plate is where that return happens, and it closes the loop. Without it the circuit would not be complete and there would be no treatment.
The plate is used the same way in capacitive and resistive mode. It is a normal, expected part of how the device runs and is nothing to worry about.
How your physiotherapist chooses the mode.
The choice is a clinical decision, made by your physiotherapist during the assessment, not something you select. They work out which tissue is driving your pain and how deep it sits, then match the mode to that target. A tight calf muscle near the surface points toward capacitive mode. A stubborn Achilles tendon deeper down points toward resistive mode.
Because most injuries involve more than one layer of tissue, a single session often uses both modes in sequence. A common pattern is to start in capacitive mode to warm and prepare the muscle, then move to resistive mode to work the deeper tendon or joint. The physiotherapist also adjusts the strength of the current and keeps the warmth comfortable throughout, checking in with you as they go.
It is worth repeating that the mode is only one detail of your care. At Medstar, TECAR is used as one tool inside a wider physiotherapy plan, alongside hands-on treatment and a guided exercise program. The mode helps target the right tissue, but the rehabilitation around it is what holds the result over time. If you want to read more about the science, the British Columbia public health service HealthLinkBC has general background on physiotherapy at healthlinkbc.ca.
Medstar Sport Physio & Health at 1325 Marine Drive in North Vancouver is the only clinic in the Metro Vancouver area offering TECAR therapy. If you are not sure whether it fits your injury, call us at (604) 988-5411 and we will tell you straight.
Common questions.
Do I choose between capacitive and resistive mode myself?+
No. Your physiotherapist picks the mode during the assessment, based on which tissue is the problem and how deep it sits. Capacitive mode suits muscle and softer tissue near the surface. Resistive mode suits firmer, deeper tissue like tendon, ligament, and joint capsule. You do not need to know the modes to benefit from treatment.
Will I feel a difference between the two modes?+
Both modes usually feel like a gentle, spreading warmth. Resistive mode often builds heat in a deeper, more focused way because the energy concentrates in firmer tissue. The physiotherapist keeps the warmth comfortable and checks in with you, so tell them right away if anything feels too hot.
Why is a metal or rubber plate placed on my body during treatment?+
That is the return electrode. The radiofrequency current has to travel from the treatment electrode, through your tissue, and back to the machine to complete the circuit. The return plate is where the current returns. It is part of normal, safe operation and is used in both capacitive and resistive mode.
Can one session use both modes?+
Yes, and it often does. A single visit may start with capacitive mode to warm and prepare the muscle, then switch to resistive mode to target a deeper tendon or joint. The physiotherapist decides the order and timing based on your injury and how you respond.
Is TECAR the only treatment I will get?+
No. TECAR is one tool inside a full physiotherapy plan. It is paired with hands-on treatment, guided exercise, and load management. The mode choice matters, but the exercise and rehabilitation around it are what carry the long-term result.
Related reading
The only TECAR on the North Shore