Managing chronic pain often requires a combination of therapies to target different tissue depths and underlying causes. Capacitive Resistive Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-frequency electromagnetic currents to stimulate healing and relieve pain.
Unlike some modalities, this therapy can be used in different modes to penetrate both superficial and deep tissues, making it a versatile option for conditions like osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, and chronic injuries. But how does it work, and how does it compare to other pain management methods?
Capacitive resistance therapy is also called TECAR, which stands for the Spanish acronym Tranferencia Electica Capacitiva Resistiva, or Capacitive Resistive Electric Transference in English. It’s a non-invasive and non-ablative diathermy treatment that uses capacitive and resistive electromagnetic currents applied to the tissues to increase the local tissue temperatures. This, in turn, helps promote a healing response in the body.
It offers two different modes that work differently to target various depths. The capacitive mode uses an electrode where the electromagnetic field’s charge density is strongest directly underneath the electrodes. This allows it to target the superficial soft tissues like those in the vascular and lymphatic circulatory systems, adipose tissue, and superficial muscles, especially tissues with higher water content and high electrical conductance. It’s performed when the electrode is treated with an insulating coating and held on the surface of the skin at the site of injury. The charge from the electrode penetrates and mobilizes ionic charges in the subcutaneous tissue.
The other mode that it can be used in is the resistive. This is where the concentration of charges occurs in the tissues interposed between the electrode and the return plate. Resistive contact transfer occurs via a non-insulated electrode that mobilizes the charges concentrated in the deep tissues with high resistivity, including bone, cartilage, tendons, and deep muscles, making it the superior choice when you need to target greater depths.
Both modes are often used in patients with chronic pain, with practitioners often switching between them during a treatment to target different tissue depths depending on the source of the pain. Capacitive mode will be used for superficial muscles and soft tissues, while resistive mode can be applied to target tendons, bones, and deep muscles.
The thermal effect is highly effective in reducing pain perception and promoting peripheral and deep vascularisation, depending on the modality used. When used together, this allows for a comprehensive approach to treating most chronic diseases and chronic pain conditions, including osteoarthritis, chronic injuries, tendinopathy, and low back pain.
Numerous therapies, including noninvasive treatments, are used for conditions causing chronic discomfort. Each has its strengths in particular applications, so there is generally no one-size-fits-all answer. In fact, one of the primary benefits of these treatments is that they can typically be used in combination to target different areas and conditions.
Shockwave therapy differs in that it does not use heat but instead uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body's natural anti-inflammatory process and promote the healing of tendons, bones, and soft tissues.
It can also break down adhesions and calcified tissue to reduce pain and promote healing. It’s particularly helpful in plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, and other musculoskeletal issues related to sports injuries or overuse. However, since it uses high-energy sound waves, it can sometimes be painful for patients with superficial injuries or sensitivities. In contrast, capacitive resistance has a low impact at the level of the skin, producing only warmth, so a wider range of patients tolerates it.
Both Class IV lasers and TECAR produce a thermal effect that penetrates the soft tissues, reducing pain and inflammation and promoting healing. However, they differ in their penetration depth. While higher-power Class IV lasers are designed to penetrate deeper into the tissues than other classes of lasers, they still cannot reach quite as deep as TECAR in resistive mode. Resistive modes, with their high-frequency current and the placement of the tissues between the non-insulated electrode and the return plate, are designed to penetrate tissues deep down into the bone.
Traditional physical therapy relies on manual techniques, including stretches, joint mobilization, and specially designed exercises to address chronic pain conditions in the body. It does not use heat. Capacitive resistance uses high-frequency electromagnetic energy to heat the tissues within the body and stimulate a healing response to address chronic conditions. Since both offer significant benefits and are non-invasive with few contraindications, they are often used together in order to optimize patient outcomes.
Capacitive Resistive Therapy, often called TECAR therapy, offers a robust, non-invasive approach to chronic pain management by combining thermal effects with deep tissue stimulation. Its ability to be used in capacitive mode to target superficial tissues and in resistive mode to target deep tissues like bones and tendons makes it a highly effective treatment for chronic pain conditions alone or complement other treatments. If you're looking to integrate TECAR therapy equipment into your practice, explore high-quality options from Maven Imaging to provide cutting-edge solutions for your patients.