The short version.
- A TECAR session happens inside a normal physiotherapy appointment, not as a separate visit. The physiotherapist applies a thin layer of conductive cream, then moves a handpiece slowly over the area while a small plate rests on your skin nearby.
- You feel a deep, pleasant warmth build up in the first minute and then stay in a comfortable range. Most people find it relaxing rather than uncomfortable, and you can ask for less heat at any time.
- The TECAR portion typically runs about 8 to 15 minutes and is followed by hands-on therapy and exercise. There is no downtime, so you can go back to your normal day right away.
It happens inside a regular physiotherapy visit.
The first thing to understand is that you do not book a TECAR appointment on its own. You book a physiotherapy visit, and TECAR is one tool the physiotherapist may use inside it. We treat it as a way to prepare your tissue, not as a treatment that stands alone. That framing matters, because heat by itself does not produce lasting change. The hands-on work and exercise that follow are what hold.
When you arrive, your physiotherapist starts the way any good appointment starts. They ask how you are doing, check the area that is bothering you, and take a quick look at how it moves. This brief reassessment tells them whether TECAR is a sensible step today and where exactly to focus it.
Step by step, what the clinician does.
Here is the order things usually happen in once the assessment is done.
- You get comfortable on the treatment table and the area to be treated is uncovered. The skin needs to be bare so the device can work, so you may be asked to roll up a sleeve or shift clothing out of the way.
- The physiotherapist places a small flat plate, called a return electrode, on your skin near the area. This completes the gentle circuit the device uses. It simply rests against you and is not uncomfortable.
- They spread a thin layer of conductive cream over the area. The cream helps the energy pass smoothly into the tissue and lets the handpiece glide. It feels a little like a massage gel.
- They move the handpiece continuously over the area in slow, steady passes. The handpiece is never held still in one spot, which keeps the warmth even and comfortable. You can think of it as a slow, warm massage stroke.
- The warmth builds. In the first minute you feel a deep, comfortable heat settle into the tissue, and the physiotherapist keeps it in a pleasant range from there. If it ever feels too warm, you say so and they turn it down on the spot.
What the warmth actually feels like.
The sensation surprises a lot of first-timers because it is so gentle. There is no needle, no electric shock, and no sharp pulse. What you feel is a deep, steady warmth, closer to a warm bath that reaches into the muscle than to a hot pack sitting on the skin. Many people describe it as relaxing, and it is common to feel the area loosen as the session goes on.
You stay in control the whole time. The comfortable range is set with your feedback, so if anything feels too hot or odd in any way, you tell your physiotherapist and they adjust it straight away. The goal is warmth that feels good, never warmth you have to endure.
How long it lasts and what comes next.
The TECAR portion typically runs about 8 to 15 minutes within the appointment. The length depends on the area and what your physiotherapist is working toward that day. It is a part of the visit, not the whole visit.
Once the tissue is warm and relaxed, your physiotherapist moves into the part that does the real work, the hands-on treatment and the exercise. The warming opens a short window where a stiff joint moves more freely and a guarded muscle eases off, and the manual therapy and loading done inside that window is what produces the change you keep. That is why we always pair TECAR with active rehab rather than offering it on its own.
Afterward, and a few things to mention first.
There is no downtime. You can drive home, head back to work, and carry on with your day as normal straight after the appointment. Many people leave feeling a little looser and more comfortable, and there is nothing special you need to do to recover from the TECAR part itself.
Before your first session, let your physiotherapist know about a few things so they can set the treatment up safely. Tell them about any metal implants, a pacemaker or other electronic implant, whether you are or might be pregnant, and any cuts, rashes, or skin problems over the area, along with any loss of feeling there. These details help them decide whether TECAR is right for you. You can read more about who it suits and when it is avoided on the is TECAR safe page. As with any health treatment, if you have severe unexplained pain, numbness, or anything that feels like an emergency, contact your doctor, and in an urgent situation call 911 or go to Lions Gate Hospital.
Common questions.
Does TECAR therapy hurt?+
No. For most people it is one of the more pleasant parts of a physiotherapy visit. The main sensation is a deep, steady warmth, a bit like a warm bath reaching into the muscle rather than sitting on the skin. There is no needle, no shock, and no sharp pulse. If at any point the warmth feels too strong, you tell the physiotherapist and they turn it down right away.
Is TECAR a separate appointment on its own?+
No. You do not book a TECAR-only visit at our clinic. The TECAR portion happens inside a normal physiotherapy appointment, usually near the start, to warm and relax the tissue so the hands-on treatment and exercise that follow work better. We do not sell heat-only packages because the heat by itself does not hold. The lasting change comes from the rehab work that follows.
How long does the TECAR part last?+
The TECAR portion typically runs about 8 to 15 minutes within the visit. The exact length depends on the area being treated and what your physiotherapist is trying to achieve. The rest of the appointment is hands-on therapy, movement, and exercise, so the full visit is longer than the TECAR part alone.
Do I need to rest afterward?+
No. There is no downtime. You can drive, return to work, and carry on with your normal day straight after the appointment. Many people actually feel looser and more comfortable for a while once the session is done.
Is there anything I should tell the clinician before we start?+
Yes. Mention any metal implants, a pacemaker or other electronic implant, whether you are or might be pregnant, and any cuts, rashes, or skin problems over the area. Also flag any loss of sensation in the area. These details help your physiotherapist decide whether TECAR is suitable for you and how to set it up safely. You can read more on the is TECAR safe page.
Related reading
The only TECAR on the North Shore