TECAR therapy questions, answered plainly.

TECAR therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses a gentle radiofrequency current to create deep, comfortable warmth inside muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint tissue. The warmth increases blood flow and helps tissue recover and move more freely. It is delivered by a physiotherapist as one tool inside your treatment session, not as a machine you sit at on your own. At Medstar Sport Physio and Health in North Vancouver it is used to support hands-on physiotherapy and your exercise plan.

TECAR stands for Transfer of Energy Capacitive And Resistive. The word describes the two ways the energy can be delivered into the body, called capacitive mode and resistive mode. Capacitive mode focuses warmth in softer tissue like muscle, while resistive mode reaches deeper, denser tissue like tendon, bone, and joints. The physiotherapist chooses the mode that suits the area being treated.

TECAR passes a radiofrequency current at around 500 kHz through the tissue using a small electrode that the physiotherapist moves over your skin. As the current flows, it gently raises the temperature deep inside the tissue, which is different from a heat pack that only warms the surface. The deeper warmth widens blood vessels, brings more blood to the area, and helps relax tight tissue so movement and treatment feel easier. To read this in more detail, see how TECAR works.

No, it should not hurt. Most people feel a pleasant, deep warmth in the area being treated, and many find it relaxing. The physiotherapist controls the power and starts low, building the warmth gradually while checking how it feels for you. If the warmth ever feels too strong, tell the clinician and they will turn it down or stop right away.

TECAR is non-invasive, with no needles and no recovery time, and it is generally well tolerated when delivered by a trained physiotherapist. Like any treatment it is not right for everyone, so suitability is decided case by case at your assessment by a physiotherapist registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia. You will be asked about your medical history and any implants before any treatment begins. If you want the full picture first, read our page on whether TECAR is safe.

For people who are suitable for treatment, side effects are usually rare and minor. The one you are most likely to notice is a brief warmth or a light redness of the skin where the electrode was working, which settles quickly after the session. Because TECAR creates real heat inside the tissue, the main thing to manage is warmth that feels too strong, which is why the clinician keeps the power comfortable and asks for your feedback. Tell the physiotherapist straight away if anything feels uncomfortable.

TECAR is generally avoided for people with a cardiac pacemaker or another implanted electronic device, during pregnancy, and where there is active cancer in the area to be treated. It is also avoided over a known blood clot, an active infection or open wound, or skin where feeling is reduced. Metal implants such as plates or screws are not an automatic no, but they must always be disclosed so the clinician can decide and adjust the settings. The final decision is always made in person at your assessment.

A heat pack warms only the surface of the skin and the heat fades quickly once it is removed. TECAR creates warmth from the inside, deep within the muscle, tendon, or joint, which a heat pack cannot reach. Because the warmth is generated in the tissue itself rather than pressed against the skin, it can be more useful for preparing deeper structures before hands-on treatment and exercise. It is also delivered and controlled by a physiotherapist as part of your session.

Both are used inside physiotherapy to treat tissue you cannot reach by hand, but they work in different ways. Ultrasound uses sound waves, while TECAR uses a radiofrequency current to create deep warmth and increase blood flow. Many people find TECAR delivers a stronger, more noticeable sense of deep heat across a larger area. Which one is appropriate depends on your injury and goals, and your physiotherapist will choose based on your assessment.

These treatments are not rivals, they simply do different jobs. TECAR uses warmth and blood flow to relax and prepare tissue, shockwave uses mechanical pressure pulses to stimulate stubborn tendon problems, and laser uses light to support tissue at a more surface level. A physiotherapist may use one, switch between them, or combine them across a plan depending on what your body needs. For a side-by-side explanation, see our page comparing TECAR with shockwave, laser, and ultrasound.

The TECAR portion of an appointment typically runs about 8 to 15 minutes. It is not a standalone visit. It sits inside a normal physiotherapy appointment alongside hands-on treatment and exercise, so the appointment itself is longer than the TECAR part on its own. The exact time depends on the area being treated and what else your session includes.

There is no fixed number, because it depends on your injury, how long you have had it, and how you respond. TECAR is used as one part of a wider physiotherapy plan rather than a set course on its own. Your physiotherapist will reassess as you go and use TECAR for as long as it is helping your recovery. The aim is always to get you moving and independent, not to keep you coming back indefinitely.

TECAR is delivered inside a physiotherapy appointment with no separate charge, so there is nothing extra for it to cover. What matters for coverage is the physiotherapy appointment itself, which may be claimable through ICBC after a crash or through your extended health benefits, depending on your plan. Coverage rules vary by insurer and policy, so check the details of your own plan. For specifics, see our page on TECAR cost and insurance.

No. TECAR is offered as an add-on inside your physiotherapy session at no extra cost. You pay for the physiotherapy appointment, and your physiotherapist decides whether TECAR is a useful tool to include during that visit. There is no surcharge, no separate booking, and no upsell.

In British Columbia you do not need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist, so you can book directly. Some extended health plans ask for a referral before they reimburse physiotherapy, so it is worth checking your own policy if you plan to claim. Because TECAR is part of a physiotherapy session, the same rules apply to it as to any physiotherapy visit. You can book online through Jane App at any time.

Medstar Sport Physio and Health in North Vancouver is the only clinic in the Metro Vancouver area that offers TECAR. We are at 1325 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC, and you can reach the front desk at (604) 988-5411. TECAR is included inside physiotherapy appointments with no separate charge. You can read more on our page about being the only TECAR clinic in Metro Vancouver.