Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field Technology: The Future of Healthcare?

Pulsed electro-magnetic field technology has the potential to revolutionize the future of healthcare. This innovative technology has already been shown to have a number of benefits, including decreasing inflammation, pain reduction, and improving healing times. In this blog post, we will discuss pulsed electro-magnetic field therapy in more detail and explore the potential implications it could have for the future of healthcare.

Backed by NASA, validated by science, and approved by the FDA as one of the strongest bone stimulators available, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy has become one of our favorite services at MOTUS Specialists Physical Therapy. PEMF is a unique tool that uses electromagnetic fields to energize cells and reduce pain and dysfunction. This therapy is relatively new in the United States, but it’s been used in Europe and other countries for decades. At first, it was more common to see PEMF used to treat race horses than to help humans. Horses that received pulsed electromagnetic field therapy showed improvements in things like jump height and endurance. However, as science has continued to explore the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation it has become an increasingly popular tool for improved health and healing in humans as well. The concept of PEMF goes back at least to the 1950s, where Japan published the first known papers on using micro-currents to treat injuries to the bone tissue. Since then, it has been tested all around the world and proven to have many benefits for patients with acute or chronic pain or injury. Even NASA has tested and approved of PEMF therapy as a means to enhance the function of cells and tissues. Healthy cells contribute to our overall well-being. PEMF can give cells the boost they need to make the body well.

What is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) is an innovative and non-invasive pain management treatment. This electromagnetic field therapy works by enhancing the body’s natural recovery strategies by way of energizing cells that are damaged or dysfunctional. PEMF therapy has been used for many years in a number of different industries, such as agriculture, automotive, and aerospace. However, it is only recently that PEMF therapy has been explored for its potential therapeutic benefits in the field of medicine.

Our bodies use electricity to send signals through the nervous system to the brain and throughout the body. Electricity is an inherent part of how we feel, how we think, and how we move. When we get sick, injured, or even depressed, it often coincides with a disruption in the body’s electrical currents. PEMF stimulation can revitalize activity by boosting cells with energy that helps them snap back into action for optimized functionality and healing.

How Does PEMF Therapy Work?

Healthy cells have both positive and negative charges in their membranes. The cells use these charges to move nutrients and waste, which keeps them healthy. When the cells lose charge due to illness or injury, they lose their ability to take in the nutrients and get rid of the waste. Cells with low charge can lead to pain, fatigue, and inflammation. PEMF therapy renews these cells by harnessing the power of electromagnetic energy. The therapy uses a PEMF device that releases electromagnetic waves, directing the electromagnetic fields towards the targeted area. These energy fields enter the cells of an injured or damaged area, where they are then able to absorb the energy and recharge. This energy absorption is like an exercise for the cells, which lends PEMF therapy the nickname of “cellular exercise.” Once the cells are energized, cellular activity can increase and cells can begin sorting wastes and nutrients more efficiently.

Does pulsed electromagnetic field therapy work?

There is a large body of scientific evidence that supports the use of PEMF therapy. A study published in the journal PLOS One found that PEMF therapy was an effective treatment for chronic pain. The study showed a significant decrease in pain intensity after eight weeks of treatment with PEMF devices.

Another study published in the journal Pain found that PEMF therapy was an effective treatment for chronic low back pain. The study showed a decrease in pain intensity, disability, and improved quality of life after six weeks of treatment with PEMF devices.

A third study published in the journal Rheumatology International found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received PEMF therapy had a significant decrease in pain and improved functionality.

These are just a few examples of the many studies that have been conducted on the benefits of PEMF therapy. The body of scientific evidence grows every day, as researchers explore the potential implications of this innovative technology.

Studies on PEMF stimulation have uncovered numerous benefits from this innovative therapy. It’s used widely to reduce pain and inflammation, as it improves circulation and regenerates blood cells. Better functioning cells help the body synthesize collagen, a big part of muscle elasticity. In this way, PEMF can increase range of motion and flexibility.

PEMF therapy is also shown to have psychological benefits, with the ability to improve both mood and sleep patterns. Studies have shown that PEMF stimulation can enhance mental health for patients dealing with depression and anxiety due to pain, as shown in a 2019 study on patients with cervical disc herniation.

What are the Benefits of PEMF Therapy?

The benefits of PEMF therapy can be summarized into five main points:

  1. Decrease inflammation
  2. Reduce pain
  3. Increase energy production in cells
  4. Improve blood circulation
  5. Accelerate healing process

What types of conditions can PEMF therapy treat?

Lots of different conditions can benefit from PEMF therapy, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and arthritis. PEMF devices have been tested on many acute and chronic pain, like low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. A recent study published in the Pacific Journal of Medical Science focused on PEMF therapy’s impact on chronic pain in the low back. It tested the therapy on 42 university employees ages 35 to 55, and found that those who received it reported significant improvement.

A review published earlier this year analyzed the results of 16 different studies on the effects of PEMF devices as treatment for patients with osteoarthritis, finding pain relief and decreased stiffness and increased physical function. Whatever the cause of your acute or chronic pain, PEMF therapy may be an effective way of treating it.

In conclusion, pulsed electro-magnetic field technology shows great promise for the future of healthcare. It has already been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, from chronic pain to arthritis. With more research being conducted every day, PEMF therapy is sure to become an even more integral part of modern medicine.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, inflammation, or another condition, you may want to consider trying PEMF therapy. This innovative technology has shown great promise in helping people improve their quality of life. Talk to your MOTUS physical therapist today about whether PEMF therapy is right for you.

References

  1. Robert Dennis – Why so much confusion about PEMF?
  2. Thomas J. Goodwin, Ph.D. – PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR GENETIC EFFECTS OF TIME VARYING ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON HUMAN NEURONAL CELLS
  3. Hattapoğlu E et al – Efficiency of pulsed electromagnetic fields on pain, disability, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with cervical disc herniation: a randomized controlled study
  4. Abdelhalim NM et al – Short-Term impacts of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in middle-aged university’s employees with non-specific low back pain: A pilot study.
  5. Yang X et al – Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.

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