TECAR Therapy Associated with High-Intensity Laser Therapy (Hilt) and Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Muscle Disorders: A Literature Review on the Theorised Effects Supporting Their Use

Abstract

Background: It has been estimated that between 30 and 50 per cent of all injuries that take place throughout participation in a sport are the consequence of soft tissue injuries, and muscle injuries are the primary cause of physical disability. Methods: The current literature review was designed between October 2021 and April 2022, according to the PRISMA standards, using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. At the screening stage, we eliminated articles that did not fit into the themes developed in all subchapters of the study (n = 70), articles that dealt exclusively with orthopaedics (n = 34), 29 articles because the articles had only the abstract visible, and 17 articles that dealt exclusively with other techniques for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The initial search revealed 343 titles in the databases, from which 56 duplicate articles were automatically removed, and 2 were added from other sources. Results: The combination of these three techniques results in the following advantages: It increases joint mobility, especially in stiff joints, it increases the range of motion, accelerates tissue repair, improves tissue stability, and extensibility, and it reduces soft tissue inflammation (manual therapy). In addition, it decreases the concentration of pro-inflammatory mediators and improves capillary permeability, resulting in the total eradication of inflammation (HILT). It warms the deep tissues, stimulates vascularity, promotes the repose of tissues (particularly muscle tissue), and stimulates drainage (TECAR). Conclusions: TECAR therapy, combined with manual therapy and High-Intensity Laser therapy in treating muscle diseases, presented optimal collaboration in the recovery process of all muscle diseases.

Accelerating Healing and Relieving Pain: High-Intensity Laser Therapy for Paraneoplastic Cutaneous Vasculitis Associated with Multiple Myeloma

“…Some reports have found HILT to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in patients with musculoskeletal disorders by slowing the transmission of pain stimuli and increasing the production of morphine-mimetic substances [ 9 , 34 ]. In the literature, the analgesic effect of HILT is described as immediate and long-lasting, as it was in our case [ 35 ].…”

Short-Term Effects of Manual Therapy plus Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy in Individuals with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

“…However, their efficacy has not been proven in clinical studies. Research data surrounding the applications of TECAR both in the treatment of CNSLBP [ 12 , 14 , 27 ] and its use in other musculoskeletal disorders [ 10 ] concern the conventional applications of these devices using simple capacitive and resistive electrodes.…”

“…On the other hand, the high-frequency current emitted by a TECAR device produces an intense thermal effect at different tissue levels (muscles, tendons, cartilage, joints, and bones). Generating this deep heat through radio frequency emission has been shown to greatly increase cellular metabolism and provide intense analgesic effects and healing action, which leads to reduced recovery time [ 10 ].…”

“…Another approach which is widely used in clinical practice and seems to be gaining ground in recent years is the use of capacitive and resistive electric transfer (TECAR) therapy. Protocols with TECAR utilize radiant energy to produce internal heat, and they are used for musculoskeletal disorders due to their ability to relieve pain, relax muscles, and increase elasticity [ 10 , 11 ]. The two modes of TECAR therapy are resistive and capacitive, both of which are utilized for their therapeutic properties [ 12 ].…”

Research progress in spasmodic torticollis rehabilitation treatment

“…High-intensity laser treatment has photodynamic, photothermal, and photochemical properties, with several therapeutic effects including bio-stimulation, pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, surface thermal effects, and muscle relaxation[ 77 ]. In one case of acute torticollis in a child caused by rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation, high-intensity laser therapy significantly alleviated muscle spasms and neck pain.…”