The short answer on safety.
- TECAR therapy is non-invasive, with no needles and no downtime, and is generally well tolerated when delivered by a trained physiotherapist.
- Side effects are usually rare and minor. The most common is a brief warmth or mild flush of the skin at the treatment site, which settles quickly.
- It is not suitable for everyone. There are clear situations where TECAR should not be used, including a cardiac pacemaker, pregnancy over certain areas, and active cancer in the area being treated.
- Suitability is always decided case by case at your assessment by a physiotherapist registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia, after you share your full medical history and any implants.
Why TECAR is gentle to receive.
TECAR is non-invasive. That means nothing pierces or cuts the skin. There are no needles, no injections, and no medication. The physiotherapist moves a smooth electrode over the skin, often with a little gel, and you feel a deep, comfortable warmth build up in the area. Most people describe it as relaxing rather than uncomfortable. There is no recovery period afterwards, so you can usually return to your normal day straight away.
Throughout the session the clinician controls the power. They start low, build the warmth up gradually, and check in with you as they go. If anything ever feels too hot or uncomfortable, they turn it down or stop. You can ask them to stop at any moment. To see what a typical appointment is like, read what a TECAR session feels like.
Possible side effects.
For most people who are suitable for treatment, side effects are rare and minor. The one you are most likely to notice is a passing warmth or a light redness of the skin where the electrode was working. This is the skin responding to the warmth and the increased blood flow, and it usually fades soon after the session ends.
Because TECAR creates real heat inside the tissue, the main thing to guard against is warmth that is too strong. This is why the clinician keeps the power at a comfortable level and why your feedback matters so much during the session. If you have reduced feeling in the area, you may not sense heat building up in the usual way, which is one reason we screen for that before treating. Tell the physiotherapist right away if the warmth ever feels uncomfortable.
When TECAR is not appropriate.
There are situations where TECAR should not be used, or should only be used with great care after a careful assessment. Some of these are firm reasons not to treat. Others mean the clinician needs more information before deciding. Please read this list honestly against your own health, and tell us about anything that applies to you.
- A cardiac pacemaker or any other implanted electronic device, such as a defibrillator or a nerve stimulator. TECAR is not used in these cases because the radiofrequency current can interfere with the device.
- Pregnancy, especially treatment over the abdomen, pelvis, and low back. In most cases TECAR is avoided during pregnancy.
- Active cancer or a known malignancy in the area to be treated, or where it could affect an area of disease.
- A deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in a deep vein, or severe arterial circulation problems in the area.
- An active infection or an open wound in or near the treatment area.
- Impaired skin sensation in the area, because you may not be able to feel if the warmth is becoming too strong.
- A fever or feeling generally unwell on the day of treatment.
- Treatment over the growth plates of children, which are the developing areas at the ends of growing bones.
Metal implants such as plates, screws, or a joint replacement are not on this list as an automatic no, but they must always be disclosed so the clinician can decide whether to treat and can adjust the settings to suit. This list is a guide, not a substitute for a proper assessment. The final decision is always made in person.
Your part in keeping it safe.
The single most important thing you can do is tell the physiotherapist your full medical history before any treatment. That includes any implants, any heart device, whether you are or might be pregnant, any current illness, any circulation problems, and any area where your skin feels numb or different. Nothing on that list is too small to mention. We would far rather hear it and rule TECAR out for that visit than miss something that matters.
At Medstar Sport Physio and Health in North Vancouver, suitability for TECAR is decided case by case at your assessment by a physiotherapist registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia. If TECAR is not right for you, that does not mean physiotherapy cannot help. It simply means we choose a different part of the physiotherapy toolkit instead. For general health information you can also read HealthLinkBC. If you ever have symptoms that feel like an emergency, call 911 or go to Lions Gate Hospital.
To understand whether you are likely to be a good fit before you book, see who should try TECAR.
Common questions.
Does TECAR therapy hurt?+
It should not hurt. Most people feel a comfortable, deep warmth in the area being treated. The physiotherapist controls the power and adjusts it to a level that feels pleasant, not painful. If the warmth ever feels too strong or uncomfortable, tell the clinician and they will lower the power or stop. You are in charge of how it feels.
Are there any needles or recovery time?+
No. TECAR is non-invasive, which means nothing breaks the skin. There are no needles and no injections. There is no downtime afterwards, so most people carry on with their normal day once the session ends.
I have a metal implant. Can I still have TECAR?+
Tell us about it first. Metal implants such as plates, screws, or a joint replacement are not an automatic no, but the clinician needs to know exactly what you have and where it is so they can decide whether to treat and how to adjust the settings. This is decided case by case at your assessment. Never assume it is fine without disclosing it.
Can I have TECAR if I am pregnant?+
We would not treat over the abdomen, pelvis, or low back during pregnancy, and in most cases we would avoid TECAR altogether while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or think you might be, tell the physiotherapist before any treatment so a safe plan can be made.
Who decides whether TECAR is right for me?+
A physiotherapist registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia decides at your assessment. They review your full medical history, check for anything that would make TECAR unsuitable, and only proceed if it is appropriate for you. Suitability is always judged person by person, not assumed.
Related reading
The only TECAR on the North Shore