Questions and answers

TECAR is a deep-heat treatment. A practitioner moves a handpiece over the area that hurts while a gentle radio-frequency current warms the muscles, tendons and joints underneath. The warmth increases blood flow, relaxes tight muscle and eases pain.

No. Most people find it relaxing. You feel the head moving on your skin and a warmth that builds slowly. It should feel strong but comfortable. If it ever feels too hot, say so, and your practitioner will turn it down straight away.

Yes, for most people, when a trained practitioner gives it. Every OYATEC practitioner is licensed and has completed our 10-hour course, which covers who shouldn't have TECAR. Your practitioner will ask about your health before your first session.

A heating pad warms your skin, and little of that heat reaches the muscle or joint underneath. TECAR makes the heat inside the tissue itself, so it reaches deeper while your skin stays comfortable.

The OYATEC herbal gel is a water-based gel made to Dr. Ouyang's own formula. It contains extracts of herbs used in Chinese medicine for sore muscles and joints. If you have allergies, tell your practitioner before your session.

Many people feel looser and less sore by the end of the first or second session. Lasting change usually takes a series of sessions.

Yes. TECAR is often given with chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture or physical therapy. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, and tell your practitioner what else you're doing.

Your skin may look a little pink and feel warm for an hour or so. Some people are mildly sore the next day, as after a deep massage. If soreness lasts longer than a day, tell your practitioner, and they will use a lower setting next time.

A visit takes about 30 minutes. The TECAR part usually lasts 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the area.

Most people need 4 to 10. A recent injury may need fewer. Pain you've had for months or years often needs 10 or more. Your practitioner will suggest a plan after your first visit.

Usually twice a week at first. As you improve, your practitioner may space sessions out to once a week or less.

Loose, comfortable clothes that make it easy to uncover the area being treated. For a knee, shorts are easiest. For a back or shoulder, the clinic will give you a gown or towel.

Usually not. You can contact an OYATEC clinic directly. Some insurance plans need a referral to pay for physical therapy, so check with your plan if you hope to use it.

Where it hurts, how long it has hurt, what makes it better or worse, and about your health and any medicines. They also check that nothing rules TECAR out for you, such as a pacemaker or pregnancy.

Yes. There's no recovery time. Drink some water and keep up any stretches your practitioner gives you.

People with a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device, and people who are pregnant. Also people with cancer, a blood clot or an open wound in the area. If you have reduced feeling in the area, an infection, a fever, serious heart disease or take blood thinners, ask your doctor first. The How it works page has the full list.

Each clinic sets its own price. Most charge between $60 and $120 a session, and many offer a lower price for a series. Every clinic on our map shows its starting price.

Usually not on its own. Most clinics charge for TECAR as a self-pay session. If it's part of your physical therapy or chiropractic care, your plan may pay for some of the visit. Ask the clinic before you book.

Often, yes, when the treatment is for a medical condition. Check with your plan administrator and ask the clinic for an itemized receipt.

Go to Find a clinic and enter your ZIP code or city, or use your location. You can filter by condition, type of practitioner and distance.

The practitioner is a licensed acupuncturist, physical therapist, chiropractor or massage therapist. They have completed our 10-hour course and passed the practical exam, and they renew the certificate every two years.

We're adding clinics every month. Email hello@oyatec.com with your ZIP code, and we'll let you know when one opens near you. You can also tell your own practitioner about OYATEC.

You can send an appointment request from any clinic's page. The clinic contacts you to confirm a time.

Licensed acupuncturists, physical therapists, chiropractors and massage therapists who complete our 10-hour certification. Massage therapists should check that their state's scope of practice allows this kind of device.

We give pricing during your demo, once we know your clinic and how many practitioners you want to certify. Ask us about payment options at the same time.

Yes. Book a demo at our Friendswood clinic or by video. In person, you can have a short treatment yourself.

The main unit, the CET and RET handpieces with interchangeable heads, the return plate and a starter supply of herbal gel. You also get the 10-hour certification, a listing on our clinic map, patient referrals from the map, a marketing kit and support.

The unit is about the size of a small printer. It sits on a cart or countertop next to your treatment table and plugs into a standard outlet.

We ship within a week of your certification. Most clinics start treating patients within four to six weeks of their demo.

No. The OYATEC herbal gel is sold only to certified clinics, for use with the system.

Ten hours: four hours of online theory you do at your own pace, and a six-hour hands-on day that ends with a practical exam.

At the OYATEC Flagship Clinic in Friendswood, Texas, about 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston. We run hands-on days twice a month.

You give a full TECAR treatment to a volunteer while an instructor watches. They check your screening, your choice of head and heat level, where you place the return plate, your technique and your notes.

The instructor tells you what to work on, and you can retake the exam at no charge at the next session or by live video.

Two years. To renew, you complete a short online continuing-education update and confirm that your license is current.

Yes, as long as they hold a license in one of the four fields. Each practitioner who treats patients with the system needs their own certificate.

It depends on your profession and your state board. Ask us, and we'll tell you what we know for your license before you sign up.

10 to 15 minutes when it's added to another visit, and 20 to 30 minutes as a standalone session.

You set your own price. Clinics in our network charge between $60 and $120 for a session, and many offer pre-paid packages of 5 to 10. The revenue estimator on the For clinics page shows what your own numbers add up to.

Most clinics offer it as a cash-pay service. Payers treat diathermy differently, so talk to your billing professional before you bill insurance for it.

Patients who search near you see your clinic's listing. When they send an appointment request, it goes straight to your clinic by email.

Order online through your clinic account or email clinics@oyatec.com. Orders ship within two business days.

Parts and labor on the main unit for two years. Handpieces, cables and the return plate for one year. If a part fails, we ship a replacement.

Call (281) 555-0142 or email clinics@oyatec.com, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Central. Clinical questions go to the training team that Dr. Ouyang leads.

Email clinics@oyatec.com with the changes, such as new hours, a new practitioner or new photos. We update listings within two business days.