How TECAR Works:

TECAR therapy is a non-invasive electrothermal treatment that uses radio frequency (300 kHz–1.2 MHz) to directly warm deep muscle tissues.

Unique in its design, it generates internal or endogenous energy in biological tissues by by mobilizing ions and electrolytes.

Unlike traditional, superficial thermotherapies which are limited in their reach, TECAR therapy’s capacitive-resistive currents penetrate deeper, elevating both haemoglobin saturation and tissue temperature. The heat is uniformly dispersed through blood circulation, mitigating risks of burns or unwanted hyperthermia (Yokota et al., 2018). This technique significantly influences the of skin microcirculation perfusion and skin temperature (Kumaran et al. 2015), while its RES mode appears to impact also the intramuscular blood flow (Clijsen et al., 2020). These effects remain localized, ensuring precision without inducing systemic cardiovascular responses (Clijsen et al., 2020).

Impressively, in vitro studies suggest its capability to stimulate mesenchymal stem cell proliferation in injured tissues without hampering differentiation, underscoring its potential in tissue repair (Hernández-Bule et al, 2014).

Benefits:

Recent systematic reviews underscore TECAR therapy’s innovative efficacy in both managing musculoskeletal issues and significantly reducing pain levels within just weeks of intervention (Vahdatpour et al. 2022).

Furthermore, when combined with other physiotherapy modalities, TECAR therapy demonstrates enhanced therapeutic outcomes through a synergistic outcome that may amplify joint mobility, range of motion, tissue repair rates, stability, and extensibility (Szabo et al. 2022). Additionally, the combination efficiently tackles soft tissue inflammation, ensuring deep tissue warming, improved vascularity, and overall better tissue restoration, culminating in an augmented recovery process for various muscle pathologies.

Beyond pain management, TECAR therapy offers multifaceted benefits in treating musculoskeletal conditions. It combats activity-induced spasms and contractions, improves muscle oxygenation through hemoglobin activation, and bolsters muscle flexibility (Yokota et al, 2018). In sports tendinopathies from overuse, TECAR therapy surpassed other physiotherapies in reducing pain and enhancing patient satisfaction (Giombini et al, 2002). It also optimizes biomechanical parameters in runners, fostering a more efficient post-training run without altering physiological metrics (Duñabeitia et al., 2018).

TECAR also shines in treating post-natal rectus diastasis, especially when integrated with other treatments (Elhosary et al., 2023).

Lastly, TECAR has aesthetic advantages, marked by cellulite appearance improvement (Kim et al, 2015), waistline reductions, and a decrease in abdominal obesity for those treated (Buso et al, 2023, Vale et al, 2020).

Contraindications: pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis, hypoesthesia, damaged skin, pacemaker

How It Works:
Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) employs cutting-edge technology to treat a vast array of musculoskeletal ailments. The therapy harnesses high oscillation frequencies that enable deep penetration into the affected areas. Through the emission of electromagnetic pulses, EMTT reaches up to 18cm into the body, targeting even the deeper tissue layers. This method ensures that areas of discomfort, inflammation, and pain are precisely addressed, stimulating therapeutic effects right at the cellular level. The energy transferred from the applicator to the body, combined with the high-energy magnetic pulses, creates a unique therapeutic environment that accelerates the natural healing process.

On a cellular level, EMTT can have a transformative impact on pathologically altered cells by reigniting cell metabolism and re-establishing physiological processes. From conditions like osteoarthritis, persistent pain to sports injuries, EMTT offers relief and healing. This therapy accelerates the healing process, reduces inflammation, and fosters wound healing by stimulating fibroblast and collagen proliferation. Moreover, its therapeutic impact becomes even more pronounced when combined with other physiotherapy modalities, as documented in specific studies.

Benefits:

EMTT’s therapeutic prowess has been solidified in the literature. Klüter et al. (2018) accentuated its effectiveness in addressing chronic aseptic osteitis pubis, prevalent among athletes experiencing groin pain. Additionally, Klüter et al. (2018) showcased the enhanced benefits when EMTT is combined with shockwave therapy in the management of rotator cuff tendinopathy, a leading cause of shoulder discomfort. Notably, this combination resulted in marked pain reduction and notable shoulder function improvement. Furthermore, a study by Krath et al. (2017) emphasized EMTT’s potential in treating non-specific low back pain. Patients who underwent a combination of EMTT and conventional therapy reported significantly better outcomes than those treated with conventional therapy alone.

This innovative, non-invasive approach has further advantages. Sessions are designed with patient comfort in mind, typically spanning 5 to 20 minutes. An average of 6 to 8 sessions is recommended for best results, with the non-intrusive nature of the procedure allowing patients to stay fully clothed, eliminating the need for skin contact.

EMTT vs PEMF

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy and Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) utilize electromagnetic fields for therapeutic purposes, yet they differ in key ways. PEMF operates at lower frequencies, between 1 to 10 kHz, targeting tissues closer to the skin’s surface. On the other hand, EMTT features a higher oscillation frequency of 100-300kHz with a stronger magnetic field strength, allowing for deeper tissue penetration and enhanced therapeutic effectiveness in addressing musculoskeletal conditions.

Contraindications: pregnancy, active implants with electrical battery/power source (pacemaker, cochlea implant, insulin pump, bladder pacemaker, retina stimulators, neuro stimulators) and the following treatment areas: head, face, tumor, infected, inflamed area or skin eruptions.

How It Works:
Introduced in the 1960s and later harnessed by NASA (Dompe et al, 2020) for promoting healing in space, Photobiomodulation (PBM) has stood the test of time. Also known as Low Level Laser/Light Therapy (LLLT), PBM employs both lasers and LEDs to exert its therapeutic effects, primarily focusing on enhancing ATP synthesis in mitochondrial and cell membrane photoreceptors. Coupling this with advancements in stem cell research, which highlights the self-renewal and differentiation abilities of stem cells, leads to innovative clinical applications. Such a synergy has demonstrated potential in increasing osteoblast proliferation, opening doors to faster bone repair. On a cellular level, mitochondria contain a chromophore, cytochrome c oxidase, which absorbs specific PBM wavelengths, particularly the red light. This interaction not only boosts ATP production but also fosters a cellular environment conducive to efficient energy generation (da Silva et al, 2023).

Benefits:

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy showcases a wide spectrum of benefits across various conditions. For instance, it plays a pivotal role in reducing pain and enhancing pressure pain threshold in myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius (Alayat et al, 2022). It offers notable pain relief and reduced disability in lateral epicondylitis, especially when combined with exercise regimens (Bjordal et al, 2008). The therapy improves hand grip in carpal tunnel cases (Zhi-Jun Li et al, 2016; Bekhet et al, 2017) and has shown promise in alleviating pain in knee osteoarthritis (Malik et al, 2023). Moreover, when paired with rehabilitation exercise, PBM optimizes stiffness and function outcomes (Ahmad et al, 2022). It has been observed to reduce pain and modestly improve mandibular movement in patients with temporomandibular disorders (Zhang et al, 2023).

Beyond its recognized applications in musculoskeletal care and pain management, PBM unveils its prowess in more diverse therapeutic areas. Transcranial PBM elevates mood, addressing conditions like depression and anxiety, and bolsters cognitive and emotional functions (Montazeri et al, 2022). Its versatility extends to treating androgenetic alopecia (Zhang et al, 2022), enhancing periodontal therapy results (Freire et al, 2023), and providing relief from dentin hypersensitivity (Pion et al, 2023) and accelerating bone healing after tooth extraction (Kulkarni et al. 2018).

Please note:
PBM therapy has seen varied findings due to discrepancies in study parameters, such as dosage, session frequency, and whether LLLT or HILT is used, leading to ongoing debates in the literature as some trials conclude with different findings.