TECAR

Deep heat therapy

TECAR treats chronic pain and more by combining all the currents of electrotherapy: high, medium and low frequencies. It reaches discomfort that sits well below the surface.

Call 303-388-6886

A schnauzer lying on a mat while a deep heat applicator is moved slowly along his back

What it is, in plain terms

TECAR warms tissue from the inside rather than the outside. A hot pack heats the skin and a little of what is under it; this reaches structures a pack cannot get near.

It treats chronic pain and more by combining all the currents of electrotherapy: high, medium and low frequencies.

Most dogs find it pleasant. It is closest to a deep, warm massage from the inside.

What it helps with

Chronic pain that sits deep. The sore spot that a hot pack never quite reaches.
Tight, guarded muscle. Warming tissue before hands-on work often means the manual therapy achieves more and is better tolerated.
Stiffness in older dogs. Particularly through the back and hips, where months of compensation have left a lot of tension.
Circulation to an area. Useful where blood flow is part of why something is healing slowly.

A tan-and-white dog lying on a mat during deep heat therapy along his side

What a session looks like

An applicator is moved slowly over the area, much like a massage. There is a gentle warmth that builds, and the practitioner adjusts as they go based on how your dog is responding.

It is frequently used at the start of a session to prepare tissue for the work that follows, rather than as the treatment on its own.

Who it suits

Older dogs with widespread stiffness rather than one obvious problem
Dogs too guarded for hands-on work to begin straight away
Chronic back and neck tension, including the compensations that build up over months
Dogs who enjoy being handled and settle well for longer sessions

As with everything here, whether it suits your dog is decided at the evaluation rather than in advance.

Questions

Questions we get asked

What is TECAR therapy for dogs?

TECAR is a deep heat therapy that warms tissue from the inside by combining high, medium and low frequency currents. It reaches chronic pain that sits well below the surface, where a hot pack cannot get.

Does deep heat therapy feel good to a dog?

Most dogs find it pleasant, it is closest to a deep, warm massage from the inside. The applicator is moved slowly over the area and the warmth builds gradually.

What is it used for?

Chronic deep pain, tight and guarded muscle, stiffness in older dogs particularly through the back and hips, and improving circulation to an area that is healing slowly.

Is it used on its own?

Rarely. It is most often used at the start of a session to warm and relax tissue so the hands-on work that follows achieves more and is better tolerated.

Often used together

Related treatments

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Ice & Heat Therapy

When to use ice, when to use heat, and what’s safe to do at home.

An older beagle resting on a mat during a gentle massage

Therapeutic Massage

Hands-on muscle work for dogs who have been compensating for something painful.

A gray dog lying on a towel while a handheld therapeutic laser is passed over his back

Laser Therapy

Light that reaches deep into tissue without damaging it. Most pets settle and doze through it.

See all treatments

Start with a phone call

Tell us what you’ve noticed. We’ll tell you honestly whether we think we can help.

Call 303-388-6886