Part 2: Use Therapeutic Modalities to Stimulate Healing
As you do your corrective exercise regimen daily, incorporate Pulsed EMF and (optional) Far Infrared heat to your low back. Unlike electrical, vibrating, and typical hot/cold modalities, these two modalities have curative capabilities as well as palliative, which is why I recommend them.
Apply Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) to Your Low Back Daily for Two Weeks
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) is an established, widely used therapy for tissue healing that has substantial medical research to support its efficacy. First used during the 1960s to help fractured bones heal faster and properly, the technology went through several improvements and now PEMF is used internationally to treat many health conditions, particularly those involving pain and inflammation. Because of the therapeutic benefit realized through PEMF, it was discovered that it can help improve sleep as well.
Basically, PEMF generates pulsed, low frequency alternating magnetic fields to positively affect cell function. Cell membranes have a weak electrical charge across their membranes which affects what can pass into and out of the cell.
During states of inflammation from injuries or disease, there is a surge of oxidative substances (peroxides) and depletion of the cell’s anti-oxidant defenses. Think of oxidation as a biological version of rusting, since it damages living tissue just as rust eats away at metal exposed to oxygen ions. Inflammation disrupts the electrical charge across the cell membrane, which adversely affects cell metabolism (entry of nutrients and oxygen for energy and exit of waste products) which perpetuates disease and pain. PEMF stabilizes the membrane by positively affecting the proteins involved in maintaining the calcium ion charge across it*; as a result swelling is reduced, peroxide levels decrease, pain decreases and natural healing takes place.
*Selvam R1, Ganesan K, et. al. Low frequency and low intensity pulsed electromagnetic field exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through restoration of plasma membrane calcium ATPase activity. Life Sci. 2007 Jun 6.
Pulsed EMF devices are FDA-approved Class IIa medical devices and are generally safe (low risk) for consumer use, without a doctor’s prescription. The model I personally use and recommend, due to its power and stellar reputation in the medical field is Elamed’s Almag 01 PEMF device. It uses four emitters to produce electromagnetic fields capable of penetrating tissues as deep as 8 cm. This facilitates the natural healing process in cells undergoing inflammation and disease, which is present in low back pain regardless of the area/structures generating the pain. Another recommended model is the FlexPulse, which is a powerful portable PEMF device.
Place the device directly on your skin over the area of pain while lying down on your back. You can do this on your bed if you desire. Turn on the device, and rest for 7-10 minutes. Do it daily for two weeks. Depending on the nature of your low back pain, you may feel relief after the first session or within a week. Since this is NOT a heating or electrical stim device, the decrease in pain you will experience represents natural tissue healing and is therefore longer lasting, and sometimes permanent.
NEXT: Apply Far Infrared Heat
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