Notes on Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) was used by NASA to help astronauts who suffered from issues with reduced bone density due to their weightlessness in space. Since then, PEMF has become the go to therapy for athletes recovering from track injuries, post operative wound healing, reduction of pain and increased mobility in stiff joints. It is used in many clinics (e.g. chiropractors) and even in cancer clinics.
It is non-intrusive and can be carried out through clothing – or even a plaster cast. Magnetic pulses can penetrate bone, muscle and blood which makes it a useful way to bring healing to hard-to-reach places. Although the effects are experienced in muscles and sites of inflammation the changes brought about by PEMF are at the cellular level throughout the body. PEMF can stimulate all bodily tissue including nerves. Due to nerves being conductive they respond to magnetic pulses which produce micro currents causing some muscles to twitch involuntarily. This is a useful feature when muscles are in spasm, cramp and pain due to lack of oxygen caused by restricted blood flow. The pulsing gently activates the muscles helping restore blood flow with oxygenated blood.
Most PEMF sessions start with the mat which has an array of coils inside it. It covers a generous area and typically is used to energise the upper torso, from hips to shoulders. During this time, some surprise areas of sensitivity appear. This is usually a sign of inflammation even though the person can be unaware of the inflammation.
The intensity of the pulsing is completely controllable and adjusted to a level of comfort for the user. In other words, it is always below a level where the intensity causes discomfort.
There are multiple designs of coils that can be placed over a shoulder or hip and some which you can insert an entire limb into. The initial treatment with the mat is 10 minutes, then for joints, 5 minutes on each side. By a process of trial-and-error and user feedback areas that are sensitive can be discovered if not already known and anticipated.
The Science:
Every cell has a membrane round it made of lipids (fats) – a bit like an egg has a shell. The membrane is sophisticated, in that it has to allow nutrients into the cell (e.g. oxygen and glucose to metabolise into energy – ATP, the ultimate fuel of the body). It also must expel the metabolism products it does this through junctions in the membrane, which open and close due to an electrical charge across the membrane. The membrane stores electrical energy so acts somewhat like a battery. This battery should have a voltage around 85 millivolts but when this voltage begins to drop, the cell and everything in it works less efficiently. As voltage drops to around 35 millivolts the cell can no longer operate a normal aerobic (fully oxygenated) energy cycle and can turn into anaerobic (absence of oxygen) metabolism resembling fermentation. So, apart from oxygen and glucose, a cell must also have electrical energy to operate. The magnetic energy from the PEMF coil is converted into electrical energy – free electrons which recharge the membrane voltage and facilitate the KREB cycle making the ATP. Sometimes, the only thing missing is electrical energy and dramatically quick changes can result from a PEMF session.
Cancer cells are not very robust and do not like having their membrane voltage recharged causing them to rupture. This exposes the internal structure which can now be ‘seen’ by the immune system. No one is claiming a cure for disease using PEMF equipment but is a useful complimentary therapy alongside others.
The pulsing also has a small physical effect on the membrane, shaking the membrane and dislodging toxic particles (e.g. heavy metals, BPA, etc.) This clears the junctions for transmission of healthy nutrients. For this reason, it is necessary to thoroughly hydrate after a PEMF session so that these toxins can be flushed away through urination.
PEMF pulses increase blood flow to areas of inflammation by dilating capillaries – often producing a change to the facial complexion. Adding electrical energy to a cell and increasing blood flow (additional oxygen) makes a big difference to how well a cell can work. Red blood cells which have a high iron content are very responsive to PEMF as it imparts a charge to the cells making them separate and move more freely if they have been clumped together (roleaux). This releases 40% more surface area for carrying oxygen, hence the reason why PEMF is so useful when applied before EWOT – Exercise With Oxygen Therapy.
Like many radiant doses, the effect of PEMF is dose dependent. There is no fixed measure on this point as everyone responds differently but more is not necessarily better! Fortunately, any over exposure is rectified within a few hours. Usually, high intensity for 5-10 minutes is well tolerated.
Side Effects:
As for side effects, they are few. Sometimes people are a little tired following a PEMF session, usually as they dispel the toxins that the PEMF released. Rarely, a sensitive area feels more uncomfortable after a session but then feels a significant improvement the following morning. Invariably, mobility is increased and usually pain is diminished depending on the source.
PEMF has helped people recovering from all types of surgery reducing swelling, bruising and encouraging blood flow to the wound. Sharp pains may be significantly dulled for several hours. Chronic symptoms will need repetitive sessions, if possible 3 times weekly for several weeks, reducing to 2 times weekly and then once a week, eventually reducing to a maintenance session dictated by the user. PEMF is drug free, non-addictive and non-invasive. Stroke victims reduce neuropathic pains, and some affected muscles get a mini work out from the pulses. PEMF can be used on the head with lower intensity, sometimes picking up low level sinus inflammation over or under the eyes.
Contraindications:
Any embedded electronic devices such as a pacemaker or brain shunt should be completely avoided. A person who can have a full body MRI will also be able to use PEMF.
Users should remove anything that can be damaged by a strong magnetic field such as cellphones, watches, car keys or payment cards.
Fortunately, the intensity of the PEMF pulses is inversely proportional to the distance from the coil, meaning a doubling of distance away from the coil results in a reduction of intensity not to 50% but to 25%.
