Over the last decade, research into Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy has yielded promising results across various health conditions. Here’s a brief summary of key studies and findings:
Bone Healing and Fractures: Studies have consistently shown PEMF’s effectiveness in enhancing bone healing and treating fractures. In fact, non-union bone fractures (where the ends of the bone fracture fail to fully connect during normal healing) was the first condition that was shown to benefit from magnetic fields.
A notable study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2020) highlighted the acceleration of bone fracture healing with PEMF therapy. This is attributed to PEMF’s ability to stimulate osteoblast activity, essential for bone regeneration. Osteoblasts are the active cells in bone tissue that lay down new bone for maintenance and repair. Given this discovery of PEMF’s effect on stimulating bone-creating cells to work more, it may have similar effects on chondrocytes— the cells that synthesize cartilage, the soft, rigid yet pliable shock-absorbing tissue that lines the ends of the bones that form a joint. This may be a promising treatment intervention to regenerate damaged cartilage from injury and perhaps even from long term wear and tear; i.e. osteoarthritis.
Chronic Pain Management: PEMF has been found effective in managing chronic pain, including lower back pain and osteoarthritis. Research published in Pain Research and Management (2019) showed significant pain reduction in participants with chronic conditions. This effect is thought to be due to PEMF’s influence on reducing inflammation and enhancing endorphin production.
Tendon Healing: Research, including in vitro studies, indicates PEMF’s potential in promoting tendon healing. A controlled laboratory study evaluated the effects of PEMF on tenocyte cultures, demonstrating accelerated closure of ‘wounds’ in these cells, which are crucial for tendon repair. Tendons, like ligaments, have very few active cells and are mostly collagen and elastin protein fibers embedded in a matrix. They have no direct blood supply and therefore have poor injury healing capacity; hence the “season-ending” injuries that occur in sports, from an ankle or knee sprain, for instance.
Animation of a fibroblast synthesizing and laying down collagen fibers.
However, there are cells called fibroblasts and some chondrocytes that can repair mild to moderate ligament/tendon injuries, commonly referred to as sprains and strains. The material they synthesize to close the tear is referred to as scar tissue (if you’ve ever sustained a rough skin laceration and have it heal, it’s that raised, firm tissue where the cut used to be). But it is usually a long process to heal a tendon and ligament, due to the scarcity of these fibroblasts. Pulsed EMF stimulates fibroblastic activity, causing them to work faster and therefore reducing the healing time.
Neurological Disorders: Some studies have explored PEMF’s effects on neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and depression. The results, though preliminary, suggest that PEMF can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in some patients, potentially by modulating neural activity and inflammation. Remember, nerves are made of neurons, which are highly specialized cells that depend on proper membrane function moreso that other types of cells because quality of nerve transmission depends on normal membrane function. PEMF has been shown to improve membrane potential in cells by providing an external magnetic field that essentially polarizes the membrane (strengthens the + and – charges on opposite sides of the membrane). This results in improved transfer of molecules into and out of the cell.
wound healing
Wound Healing: PEMF therapy has been shown to enhance wound healing, especially in diabetic ulcers and other chronic wounds. This is likely due to its ability to reduce inflammation, improve cell membrane function, improve circulation and promote tissue regeneration. Recall from high school science that electrical currents form when charged particles move through a conductor. The charged particles in your body are the various molecules and ions that travel during the course of maintaining your life functions. The conductor is the fluid environment of the body. Magnetic fields form 90 degrees to the movement of the charge particles and can affect their movements (think of a magnet attracting a metal ball bearing). PEMF therefore can affect movement of molecules into (oxygen, nutrients) and out of (waste products; proteins) the cells, improving their efficiency. When cell efficiency is improved, healing improves, then symptoms.
Cardiovascular Health: Limited research suggests that PEMF therapy might benefit cardiovascular health by improving endothelial (inner lining of blood vessels) function and reducing inflammation, although more extensive studies are needed. But given the observations of Pulsed EMF’s therapeutic effects on cells involved in bone, tendon, nerve and skin repair, it is likely that it has similar effects on the heart and blood vessels.
The endothelium is the site where cardiovascular disease begins. If it gets damaged somehow, whether from wear and tear, weakening, or caustic molecules circulating in the blood, certain things happen that don’t normally occur in the healing of other types of tissue injury since there is a constant supply of blood coursing over the injury (remember, it’s the inside lining of the blood vessel). Fatty molecules get stuck in the injury site; the inflammatory cascade forms a clot over the wound which may block blood flow to an organ (i.e. heart attack, stroke), and macrophages– the cells that clean up debris– are attracted to the things happening at the wound, and they themselves bunch up and add to the clot. Pulsed EMF can be applied to the cardiovascular system and can potentially restore endothelial tissues that are compromised.
These studies highlight PEMF’s potential as a non-invasive and safe therapy for various health conditions. However, it’s important to note that while the results are encouraging, PEMF therapy should be considered a complementary treatment and used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments. Always consult healthcare professionals before starting any new treatment regimen. Nevertheless, its safety record (no noted adverse side effects) and easy operation makes pulsed EMF an ideal home care therapy.
If you battle a chronic injury or health condition and you’ve completed one or more treatment cycles with your doctor or therapist, but have lingering symptoms, look into Pulsed EMF — it’s got a long history and an abundance of medical research behind it. Best of all, it’s safe to use. Its popularity is growing, and you are likely to find a clinic in your town that offers pulsed EMF. You can also invest in your own home PEMF machine. There are several models and technologies available, differing in field strength and field pulse mode.
