When electrically charged particles accelerate, they produce electromagnetic waves. These waves subsequently interact with surrounding particles and cause a variety of effects. For humans, healthy levels of electromagnetic energy are required for cell health, including repair and growth.
PEMF stands for pulsed electromagnetic field. These are low‐energy, low‐frequency bursts of electromagnetic energy which can recharge and rejuvenate cells through inductive signalling. It has several protective effects, including the regulation of kinases, the promotion of transcription factors, and cell viability in both central and peripheral biological systems.
Over-all, it fosters a healthy physiological environment at the cellular level.
PEMF therapy works by stimulating cells through electromagnetic fields. On both the physiological and cellular level, it has the following effects:
PEMF therapy promotes good blood circulation. This is essential to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the different parts of the body. Poor blood circulation, on the other hand, causes problems for the brain, kidneys and heart, among other important organs.
Human beings need sufficient water to function properly: cell shrinkage due to factors such as dehydration can affect metabolism, enzyme and even hormone production. By stimulating enough water absorption, PEMF therapy enhances hydration in the cell.
PEMF therapy creates a electromagnetic environment in the body which allows better absorption of nutrients within the cell. This ensures the over-all functioning and well-being of the system.
The cellular respiration process requires oxygen to break down body sugar as a source of energy. PEMF therapy increases cell oxygenation in order to facilitate this process.
PEMF therapy improves adenosine triphosphate [ATP] production, which assists in delivering energy as fuel for other cellular processes.
Because it promotes better health at the cellular level, PEMF therapy facilitates detoxification, which removes harmful substances from our system and allows it to heal stronger and faster.
Because of its intra- and intercellular effects, PEMF therapy has been explored for medical use in many different fields of treatment. In fact, advances in modern medicine include many different types of magnetic and electromagnetic fields to treat a number of health issues.
PEMF therapy is safe, effective, non-invasive, and, with the proper equipment and guidance, easy to administer.
There are a lot!
Many of them are from reputable, peer-reviewed internationally-accredited medical journals. Many of the studies have been conducted by renowned physicians and scientists from some of the top universities and medical research institutions around the word.
Below are just some of the myriad studies which show how effective PEMF Therapy is.
| PAIN RESEARCH |
Ballard, A.T. (2020). Letter of Approval for Musculoskeletal Pain using Pulsed Shortwave Therapy Device for BioElectronics Corporation. US Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf19/K192234.pdf Li, Z., Ding, W., & Ji, Y. (2020). Analgesic Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields for Mammaplasty: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies. Medicine (Baltimore). DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000021449 |
| ANTIOXIDATIVE DEFENSE | Ehnert, S., Fentz,A. K., Schreiner, A., et al (2017) Extremely Low Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Cause Antioxidative Defense Mechanisms in Human Osteoblasts via Induction of •O2 − and H2O2. Scientific Reports, 7 (1), p. 1- 11. |
| ANTI-CELL HYPOXIA | Gessi, S., Merighi, S., Bencivenni, S., et al. (2019). Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Relief of Hypoxia‐Induced Neuronal Cell Death: The Signaling Pathway. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 234 (9), p. 15089‐ 15097 Vincenzi, F., Ravani, A., Pasquini, S.,et al. (2017)Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Exposure Reduces Hypoxia and Inflammation Damage in Neuron‐Like and Microglial Cells. Journal of Cell Physiology, 232 (5) DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25606 |
| ARTHRITIS | Ganesan, K., Gengadharan, A.C., Balachandran, C., Manohar, B.M., & Puvanakrishnan , R. (2009). Low Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Field--A Viable Alternative Therapy for Arthritis. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, (47)12, p.939 - 948. |
| ANTI-INFLAMMATION |
Gómez-Ochoa, I., Gómez-Ochoa, P., Gómez-Casal, F. et al. (2011) Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Decrease Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion (IL-1β And TNF-Α) on Human Fibroblast-Like Cell Culture. Rheumatology International, 31, p. 1283–1289. Vincenzi, F., Ravani, A., Pasquini, S.,et al. (2017)Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Exposure Reduces Hypoxia and Inflammation Damage in Neuron‐Like and Microglial Cells. Journal of Cell Physiology, 232 (5) DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25606 |
| DIABETIC WOUND HEALING |
Choi, H.M.C., Cheung, A.K.K., Ng, G.Y.F. & Cheing, G.L.Y. (2018). Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on the Tensile Biomechanical Properties of Diabetic Wounds at Different Phases of Healing. PLOS ONE, 13 (11). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191074 Han, Y., Yan, Z.D., & Ge, S.H (2019). Promotional Effects of Exogenous Stimulation with Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats. Journal of Hainan Medical University, (25) 5, p. 1-5 |
| IMPROVED NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTIONS | Li, Z. (2019). Low Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Promotes the Recovery of Neurological Function after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, (37) 2, p. 449 - 456. |
| GAIT SPEED, MOVEMENT AND BALANCE |
Giusti, A., De Vincentiis, A., Fratoni , F., Giovale, M., & Bianchi, G. (2014). Effect of Repeated Application of Low‐Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) on Gait Speed in Older Adults with a History of Falls. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 62 (6). DOI: 10.1111/jgs.12858. Malling, A.S.B., Morberg, B.M., Wermuth, L., Gredal, O., Bech, P., & Jensen, B.R. (2018) Effect of Transcranial Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (T-PEMF) on Functional Rate of Force Development and Movement Speed in Persons with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. PLoS One. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204478 |
| BONE MASS AND STRENGTH | Jing, D., Cai, J., Wu, Y, et al. (2014) Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Partially Preserve Bone Mass, Microarchitecture, and Strength by Promoting Bone Formation in Hindlimb‐Suspended Rats. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 29 (10). DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2260. |
| MUSCLE AND TENDON HEALING | Liu, M., Lee, C., Laron, D., Zhang, N., Waldorff, E.I., Ryaby, J.T., Feeley, B., & Liu, X. (2017) Role of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) on Tenocytes and Myoblasts—Potential Application for Treating Rotator Cuff Tears. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 35 (5), p. 956–964. |
| STABILITY OF DENTAL IMPLANTS | Barak, S., Shibli, J.A., Dolkart, O., & Nayak, B. P. (2019) Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Increases Initial Stability Of Dental Implants‐ Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 30 (19). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14_13508 |
| DEPRESSION | Van Belkum, S.M., Bosker, F.J., Kortekass, R., Beersma, D.G.M., & Schoevers, R.A. (2016) .Treatment of Depression with Low-Strength Transcranial Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields: A Mechanistic Point of View. Progress in NeuroPsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 71 (3), p. 137-143. |
Based on a plethora of clinical research, both with the express intention or determining safety, and the thousands of studies done otherwise, magnetic field exposure has shown no adverse side effects. PEMFs of wide ranges of intensity and treatment times are safe, regardless of the area of the body being treated or the age of the patient.
Of course there are contraindications and a small fraction of people may experience unpleasant reactions. However, such reactions are overwhelmingly little more than minor side-effects and can usually be mitigated.