Cret therapy
How does TCare work?
TCare is a Capacitive Resistive Energy Transfer or CRET device. It delivers radiofrequency energy that passes between an active and passive electrode to generate therapeutic effects in the body. One of these effects is generating heat and therefore CRET can be considered as a form of thermotherapy. Within the spectrum of electrophysiological modalities that are commonly used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, CRET is also know as diathermy which literally means “to heat up”. A big and essential difference between conventional short wave diathermy (SWD) and CRET is the frequency or wavelengths of the radiowaves that are used. Conventional SWD uses frequencies of 13.56 MHz, 27.12 MHz or 40.68 MHz, whereas our TCare uses much smaller frequencies of 0.8 MHz, 1.0 MHz or 1.2 MHz. The effects on cells and tissue of TCare are therefore quite different.
Chinesport’s TCare is a monopolar CRET device. This means that we make use of separate active and passive electrodes during treatments. The distance between these electrode can be very large. For example, the patient can stand on the passive electrode with one foot and hold the active electrode in the opposite hand in functional treatments for shoulder injuries. The effects of monopolar devices reach much deeper structures, such as joints and deep musculature, than bipolar radiofrequency devices.
As a form of thermotherapy CRET produces 3 different effects in tissues. Firstly, it increases tissue temperature which increases soft tissue extensibility and consequently increases muscle flexibility and reduces muscle tension and spasm. Secondly, as tissue temperature rises, vasodilatation will occur. This improves general blood circulation which produces an influx of nutrients, thus promoting tissue repair and healing. Thirdly, as circulation improves hypoxic conditions in damaged tissues are reversed. This halts the production and release of pain-creating substances, thus having a positive effect on pain, spasm, joint contracture and reducing tissue fibrosis.
It is important to understand that CRET provides non-thermal, as well as thermal effects. Ionization of tissue molecules will cause physiological oscillations that create vibratory energy. Part of this energy will lead to endogenous heat production in the tissues. This will lead to vascularisation in the tissues and eventually with increasing temperature to hyper-activation. But some of the energy is used to directly increase cell metabolism through and increase ATP and ADP synthesis. The latter influences the cell membrane and receptors. This phenomenon improves cellular regeneration and modulates pain sensations. The ratio between thermal and non-thermal effects depends largely on the electrical properties or impedance of specific tissues and the condition of these tissues, i.e. wether they are injured or not. CRET treatments can therefore be very selective.
Biostimulation
- No temperature increase in tissue
- Stimulates metabolism and lymphatic drainage
- Suited for acute, inflammatory processes
Vascularisation
- Mild temperature increase due to increased micro-circulation
- Increases drainage, now also venous; improves tissue oxygenation and tissue metabolism
- Suited for subacute, healing processes
Hyperactivation
- High thermal effects
- Further increase in haemodynamic flow; vasodilatation
- Reduces tissue tensions; increases tissue compliance
- Chronic processes and regeneration
Designed with you in mind
All within easy reach
TCare’s carefully designed console safely holds all essential accessories so that everything is within easy reach for you during treatments. Don’t run the risk of dropping sensitive handpieces!
Simple touch of a button
The front panel includes all controls in an easy overview-able configuration. At a simple touch of a button you can change treatment parameters without an unnecessary hassle.
Easily adapt to any therapeutic situation
A complete range of capacitive and resistive handpiece lie within easy reach. You can change handpiece sizes easily to adapt to anatomical topography and remain effective and efficient at all times.
Cream of the crop
Patented Roll-On handpiece ensure economical and efficient distribution of conductive cream. No more greasy, slippery hands during treatments!
Keep an eye on parameters at all times
The carefully designed lay-out of the front panel allows you to easily see all essential treatment parameters during your treatments. When needed just change parameters at the touch of a button.
Selective tissue treatments
Capacitive and resistive modes of operation allow you to determine which tissues you will focus your treatments on to gain better therapeutic effects.
More frequencies, more options
Three frequencies allow you to manage the depth and intensity of your treatments.
Maximum hygiene for your patients
Roll-On inserts allow you to keep hygiene at a maximum. Patients can now have their own personalised Roll-On insert for the duration of the entire therapy.
Easy cleaning
The entire console surface is easy to clean without risking the damage you can do to sensitive touchscreens and controls.
More comfort for your patients
The flexible, smaller passive plate with protected edge, allows it to adapt to the patient’s anatomy to increase comfort during treatments. More over it is easily cleaned and reused, without having the cost of expensive consumables.
WHY TO CHOOSE TCARE?
REASONS FOR CHOOSING THE TCARE CELLULAR REGENERATOR
Using the TCARE Cellular Regenerator introduces a new feature of the application, in the form of the Capacitive effect of Direct Coupling, compared to current practice. The new features this device introduces are as follows:
HOW DOES THE ROLL-ON HANDPIECE WORK?
Third treatment dimension
Capacitive and resistive energy transfer can be used to enhance the diffusion of active, pharmacological agents that are prescribed by a physician for a particular pathology. Next to the non-thermal and thermal effects, transdermal drug delivery offers an extra, third dimension of treatment opportunities.
At higher temperatures skin pores under the handpiece will open. When the skin pores open diffusion is enhanced which can be used for transdermal delivery of active, pharmacological agents. The vasodilatation created by capacitive and resistive energy transfer in the upper skin layers and then underlying tissues ensures wider and deeper distribution of active agents to assist in treating specific pathologies. Transdermal drug delivery with TCare thus guarantees ideal conditions for active agents to penetrate in the exact intended pathological area. All this helps reduce the amount of administered pharmaceuticals needed to gain local therapeutic effects and can be a good alternative to gastrointestinal administration of pharmaceuticals
TCare transdermal drug delivery with the Roll-On handpieces is totally pain-free and a very simple process. The pharmacological agent that was prescribed by a physician is simply added in the right proportions to the Roll-On container and mixed with the contact cream. The quantities of cream and active agent needed are proportional to the to-be-treated body area. The Roll-On container is then simply inserted into one of the Roll-On handpieces, and TCare CRET will do the rest.
STEP 1
The therapist pours the active agent into the Roll-On container to then mix with contact cream. The size of the treated area determines the amount of agent that is mixed with the contact cream. Using the Roll-On handpieces with their containers avoid wasting pharmaceuticals and ensures balanced and consistent distribution of the treated area.
STEP 2
Conductive cream is added to the active agent in the Roll-On container. Vigorously shaking the container mixes cream and active agent. Roll-On containers can be individualised for each patient so that the right agents are always administered and hygiene is kept at a maximum.
STEP 3
The therapists twists the Roll-On reservoir into the Roll-On handpiece until the roller ball protrudes slightly from the other end of the handpiece.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TREATMENT
Increases arterial flow
Increases arterial flow to improve nutrient and oxygen supply to cells and stimulate cellular regeneration.
Increases cellular metabolism
Increases cellular metabolism through various physiological pathways and internal temperature to stimulate cell growth and proliferation and maintain homeostasis.
Boosts intracellular energy transfer
Boosts intracellular energy transfer by transforming ADP into ATP for better cell function.
Improves cell membrane balance
Improves cell membrane balance in all the cells within the treated area (fibroblasts, adipocytes, etc…) to augment cell growth regulation.
Re-polarizes the cell membrane
Re-polarizes the cell membrane from a pathological -40 mV to a physiological -70 mV.
Transforms the extra-cellular matrix
Transforms the extra-cellular matrix from a pathological gel state to a physiological and healthy sol state.
Increases lymphatic and venous flows
Increases lymphatic and venous flows to improve removal of toxic agents and catabolites.
Potentiation and diffusion of active pharmacological agents
Potentiation of, and synergy with active agents in the Roll-On handpieces that are diffused into the dermis and hypodermis, provides advantages compared to intramuscular or oral applications.
OPERATING MODES
Precise treatment effects and tissue selectivity
TCare offers the ability to provide capacitive energy transfer and resistive energy transfer treatments. Each mode targets different types of tissues. Depending on various factors, TCare treatments can create sensations ranging from very gentle, hardly-noticeable warming of the skin over the treated area to deep intense, internal heating. Which sensation you create depends on the first place on whether capacitive or resistive energy transfer is applied. Other factors that play a role are distance between the active handpiece and passive electrode, the intensity settings you select, the duration of the treatment, the handpiece sizes and movement during the treatment. In addition, disorder or injury acuteness, patient level of hydration and thus tissue impedance, and other internal and external factors may influence treatment parameters and effects. It is known that tissue impedance of damage or diseased cells is different from healthy cells. This means that you can determine exactly which treatment effects you want within specific tissues by selecting your treatment parameters on the TCare.
CAPACITIVE
Energy transfer
- Handpieces with insulation restrict ion movement
- Accumulation of energy under handpieces
- Tissue temperature changes more intense
- Movement during treatment is necesarry
- More suited for superficial treatments and soft tissues
An extension of the therapist’s hands
In capacitive mode, ion movement is restricted by a high-performance, bio-based polyamide insulation layer on the handpieces. Energy is thus largely accumulated directly under the handpiece. Tissue temperature increase and decay are more intense, and concentrated in superficial and soft tissue structures such as muscle, blood and lymphatic vessels and the different skin layers. Because of this, handpiece size and movement speed of the handpiece during treatment are important considerations. Namely, for the same treatment intensity setting, tissue temperature increase under the larger handpieces will be more gradual than under smaller handpieces. Or when moving the handpiece more slowly over the treatment area, tissue temperature increase will be more intense than when moving vigorously over the same area. TCare thus offers you several handpiece sizes so that you can select the most appropriate handpiece size depending on the size of the to-be-treated area and the envisioned therapeutic effect. Handpiece movements can be circular or linear, and above all - for optimal and safe energy transfer - should follow the topographical contours of the treated area without loosing contact between handpiece and skin. TCare’s Roll-On handpieces are specifically designed to minimise strain and effort for the therapist when delicately and precisely applying the TCare treatments. In fact, the TCare handpieces are designed in such a way that they become an extension of the therapist’s hands. This provides the ability for the therapist to apply various massage techniques; patients will hardly notice that a handpiece is being used. The intimacy and hands-on experience that bring so much important comfort and reassurance to the patient are thus not lost.
RESISTIVE
Energy transfer
- Ion movement is unrestricted by uninsulated handpiece
- Accumulation of healing energy between passive electrode and active handpiece
- Tissue temperature increases less intense
- More suited for deep treatments and inert tissues
Joint treatments in young and old
The resistive mode, uninsulated handpieces are used and direct coupling takes place. The repeated reversal of the current’s polarity produces a quicker and more intense temperature increase in tissues that are deprived of water and electrolytes. The resistive energy transfer mode is therefore particularly suited for treatments in bone and adipose tissues. Because the active electrode is not insulated, the accumulation of energy and the ensuing temperature-related effects are less concentrated under the active handpieces. Rather, the effects of the resistive mode depend more on the location of the passive electrode or plate. In other words, the therapeutic effect will be located between the active handpiece and passive electrode, there where tissue impedance has changed because of cell damage. When making resistive energy transfer mode treatments the active handpiece can remain in a fixed position, while the patient performs active or passive movements. After all, movement stimulates tissue healing. While the active handpiece is held in place and movement is initiated, treatment intensity is continuously adjusted on the TCare so that the patient feels a pleasant sensation in the affected area. In this way resistive mode treatments are ideal for the treatment of various joint disorders and injuries, in both young and old.
POST-NATAL PATIENTS WITH LOW BACK OR SACRO-ILIAC JOINT PAIN
Pre and post-natal care is a hot topic. We can consider GPS Pathways for Rehabilitation for this purpose.
- GPS Postural Labs are used to track and manage postural changes in pregnant women and postpartum. Changes in posture are inevitable during and after pregnancy and they often lead to musculoskeletal problems, particularly low back and pelvic pain. By regularly checking the posture of pregnant women we can thus foresee an increased risk in these problems and take preventive action through kinesiotherapy on the Archimede and Mi.To.
- Both Archimede and Mi.To are perfectly suited to provide kinesiotherapy (exercise therapy) in pre and post-natal settings.
- The TCare system is ideal to reduce pain and inflammation in post-natal patients. Even more so, we can provide “physio-aesthetics” to improve the look and feel of saggy skin around the belly after pregnancy.
In post-natal patients with low back or sacro-iliac joint pain, TCare can be applied in both resistive and capacitive modes to reduce joint swelling, pain and inflammation. Resistive mode can also be used to treat pain originating from muscle tension in the pelvic floor, which can be the source of low back and macro-iliac joint dysfunction.
From a physio-aesthetics viewpoint, particularly capacitive mode
with its 3 operating frequencies to control treatment depth and intensity, can
be very useful to treat sagging skin after pregnancy. Even more so, the
combination of both capacitive and resistive modes, can also be used to treat
scar tissue from a caesarian delivery.
(Pictures from a specific case of treatment using CRET therapy with our TCare device)
FIELDS OF APPLICATION
Great results in more than 340 conditions
Because of its multiple physiological effects, TCare can be successfully implemented in the treatment of over 340 types of injuries and disorders that can be found in the WHO International Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems (ICD-10). In acute injuries TCare will relieve pain immediately through its pain modulating capacity and ability to reduce oedema. In the subacute phase TCare will stimulate cellular regeneration. While in the late phase of rehabilitation TCare can be used to reduce soft tissue tensions and joint stiffness to allow for healthy movement and therapeutic exercise.
Indications
| Joint disorders and injury | Spine disorders and injury | Soft tissue disorders and injury | Bone disorders and injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contractures | Kyphosis, lordosis and scoliosis | Muscle and tendon injuries | Fractures |
| Articular cartilage injury and disorders | Osteochondrosis | Synovitis and tenosynovitis | Stress fractures |
| Arthrosis | Spodylopathies | Bursitis | Osteoporosis |
| Hallux valgus and hallux rigidus | Disc disorders | Fibromatosis | |
| Patellar disorders | Radiculopathy | Shoulder lesions | |
| (e.g. PFPS, derangements, chondromalacia,…) | Cervicobrachialgia | (e.g. rotator cuff, labrum tear, acute subacromial bursitis,...) | |
| Non-specific joint pain and aches | Sciatica | Enthesopathies | |
| Stiffness | Lumbago | Contusions | |
| Dislocations and subluxations | Non-specific low back pain | ||
| Ligament sprains, strains and ruptures | |||
| Capsular disorders and injury |
Contra-indications
| Absolute | Relative |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy | Open wounds and skin lesions |
| Peacemakers | Skin sensitivity disorders |
| Neoplasms | Cardiovascular disease |
GPS THERAPEUTIC PATHWAYS
Today rehabilitation and physical therapy practices are under tremendous time and space pressure to cope with the massive amount of patients that present with musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Moreover, patient profiles vary greatly and patients are increasingly demanding; they want results now and do not want to spend much time in therapy. To stay competitive, clinicians are forced to choose the most efficient and effective means possible to treat patients.
GPS Therapeutic Pathways represents a unique opportunity to relieve the strain on modern, advanced practices. This latest treatment concept encompasses Chinesport’s top-of-the-line therapeutic devices in a simple, one-stop, affordable package. Clinicians can now combine three different therapeutic modalities in a single intervention. TCare capacitive and resistive energy transfer (CRET) is used to modulate pain and promote cellular regeneration. At the same time, Mi.TO/Sinthesi therapy provides the possibility to initiate myofascial release and soft tissue lengthening. Archimede pulley and suspension exercise therapy delivers precise mechanotransduction impulses through specific therapeutic exercises to initiate tissue repair processes. Integrative posture exercises close the therapeutic cycle by integrating newly restored posture into everyday movement patterns. A follow-up GPS Postural Labs assessment can confirm whether progress has been made. The ability to combine all GPS Therapeutic Pathways at once, saves valuable time, resources and energy for both patient and clinician.
More information required ?
