What Is Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy (Hako-Med Electrotherapy)?

Hako-Med horizontal therapy is a form of electrical stimulation used in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Unlike traditional TENS units that deliver a single low-frequency pulsed current, Hako-Med therapy is designed to deliver low and medium frequency currents together through the same electrodes, producing a “horizontal” interaction of the two waveforms in the treated tissue. The intent is to reach both superficial and deeper structures in a single session, with the treatment focused on a specific joint or region.

Hako-Med treatment is delivered through surface electrodes placed on the skin by a trained clinician or technician. The session is non-invasive, and the sensation is usually described as a mild tingling or pulsing over the treated area. Hako-Med sessions are typically short and are scheduled as part of a broader treatment plan.

Does Hako-Med Therapy Work for Joint Pain?

At Regenerative Joint Clinics, Hako-Med horizontal therapy is one of several tools clinicians may reach for depending on a patient’s evaluation. It is most often considered alongside other conservative care — for example, as part of a physical therapy program, alongside custom bracing, or as part of our Targeted Restoration Protocol (TRP). The decision to include Hako-Med in a given patient’s plan is always made by a clinician based on the evaluation, not by default.

Hako-Med is generally not appropriate for every patient. Certain conditions — including the presence of a cardiac pacemaker or implanted electrical device, active skin infections, open wounds in the treatment area, pregnancy in some cases, and other specific medical histories — may make electrical stimulation unsuitable. A clinician will review your medical history during your initial evaluation to determine whether Hako-Med is a fit for you.

What to Expect During Your First Hako-Med Treatment Session

Every patient at Regenerative Joint Clinics starts with a joint pain evaluation. During that first visit, a clinician reviews your history, talks with you about your symptoms and goals, and discusses a treatment plan that may include Hako-Med along with other non-surgical options. You should feel free to ask any questions you have about the modality, whether it is appropriate for your situation, and what a typical treatment course looks like.

If you would like to learn more or schedule an evaluation at our Riverdale, GA clinic, you can request a visit here or reach out through our contact form. Our team will walk you through next steps.

This page is for general education only and is not medical advice. Electrotherapy is not appropriate for every patient, and any treatment decision should be made by a qualified clinician after an in-person evaluation.

How Does Hako-Med Therapy Compare to TENS and Other Electrotherapy?

Hako-Med horizontal therapy differs from traditional TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and interferential current (IFC) in the way it combines low and medium frequency currents in the same treatment. TENS units typically deliver a single low-frequency pulsed current intended to gate pain signals at the level of the nerve. Interferential therapy delivers two medium-frequency currents (often around 4,000 Hz) through separate channels that “interfere” inside the tissue to produce a lower-frequency effect at depth. Hako-Med therapy is designed to deliver both low and medium frequency currents simultaneously through the same electrodes, producing what the manufacturer calls a “horizontal” interaction in the treated tissue.

The practical takeaway for patients: Hako-Med is one of several FDA-cleared electrotherapy options a clinician may consider. None of these modalities is a cure, and the right choice depends on the patient’s evaluation, the area being treated, and how the modality fits into a broader non-surgical plan. The table below summarizes how the three approaches differ at a high level.

Feature	Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy	TENS	Interferential Current (IFC)
Current type	Low + medium frequency, simultaneous	Low frequency, pulsed	Two medium frequencies, crossed
Typical session length at RJC	About 20-30 minutes	About 15-30 minutes	About 15-20 minutes
Where it is used	In-clinic, supervised	In-clinic or home unit	In-clinic, supervised
Common clinical goals	Support circulation, comfort, and rehabilitation alongside other care	Symptomatic pain modulation	Symptomatic pain modulation at depth
Role in RJC care plans	Adjunct within the Targeted Restoration Protocol	Generally not the focus of RJC programs	Generally not the focus of RJC programs

At Regenerative Joint Clinics, Hako-Med horizontal therapy is most often considered alongside other conservative tools such as hyaluronic acid knee injections, PRP injections, unloader bracing, and physical therapy. Whether Hako-Med is used in a specific patient’s plan is always a clinician decision, based on the individual evaluation rather than a default protocol.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hako-Med Therapy

How many Hako-Med treatment sessions are typically needed?

Typical Hako-Med therapy protocols described in clinical practice range from about 10 to 20 sessions, usually 20 to 45 minutes each, scheduled one or two times per week. Some patients notice changes earlier in the course; others need the full schedule before they and their clinician can fairly assess the response. Your actual plan is set by your clinician at your evaluation, based on your condition, goals, and overall treatment plan at our Riverdale, GA clinic. Outcomes vary from patient to patient and are not guaranteed.

Is Hako-Med horizontal therapy painful?

Most patients describe Hako-Med treatment as comfortable, with a mild tingling or pulsing sensation over the area being treated. It is non-invasive and does not involve needles, incisions, or medication. The intensity is adjusted by the clinician to a level you can tolerate easily. If at any point a session feels uncomfortable, you should let your clinician know so the settings can be adjusted or treatment paused.

Who should not receive Hako-Med therapy?

Hako-Med horizontal therapy is generally not appropriate for patients with implanted electrical devices such as cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators, active skin infections at the treatment site, open wounds, certain blood clot conditions, active cancer at the treatment site, unstable cardiac rhythms, or in some pregnancy situations. Your clinician will review your full medical history during your initial evaluation to determine whether Hako-Med is safe and appropriate for you.

Is Hako-Med therapy covered by insurance?

Coverage for electrotherapy services depends on your specific insurance plan, the diagnosis being treated, and how the service is billed within your broader treatment plan. Some plans cover electrotherapy modalities when billed as part of a physical medicine visit; others do not. Our team can review your insurance and explain what is and is not typically covered before you commit to a plan. Contact us to discuss your coverage and out-of-pocket expectations.

How is Hako-Med used at Regenerative Joint Clinics in Riverdale, GA?

At our Riverdale clinic, Hako-Med horizontal therapy is one of several non-surgical tools that may be incorporated into a patient’s care plan, never as a standalone “cure.” It is most often considered alongside other joint pain services such as hyaluronic acid injections, PRP, unloader bracing, and physical therapy, within our Targeted Restoration Protocol. Whether Hako-Med is part of your individual plan is determined after an in-person evaluation with a clinician.