Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy:  How it Heals Pain

If you are one of millions of people who suffer from joint pain; either chronic or recent injury or onset, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy is getting increased attention in the medical research community.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field technology (PEMF) has long been known to have therapeutic benefits. In the 1960s, researchers demonstrated that electromagnetic field energy, or “magnetobiology” could help bones heal themselves.

In physics, whenever an electrical current passes through a conductor, it creates a magnetic field.  A magnetic field aligns molecules that have an electrical charge along the magnetic field axis.  This is how a compass works:  the metal needle aligns with the magnetic field of the earth and points to the north.  Could you see how this phenomenon can have medical applications?

In order for something to be therapeutically viable, it needs to be able to create a physiological change in the human body that benefits the body in some way. For example, COX-2 anti-inflammatory medications chemically block enzymes responsible for generating inflammation, thus reducing pain. Heat dilates blood vessels and increases circulation, which leads to more oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells; cold constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling and numbs nerves which can reduce acute pain.

But what about electromagnetic fields?  Evidence shows that they can influence cell membranes, since cell membranes rely on tiny electrical charges to change their permeability (porosity). When there is inflammation and swelling present, cell membranes dictate what passes into and out of the cells and into the extracellular space.

During inflammation and recent injury (acute phase), red blood cells clump together, resembling a stack of coins. This is known as “rouleaux formation” and is due to increased levels of serum proteins, particularly fibrinogen and globulins.

In lab studies, PEMF was able to thin out thickened blood by loosening rouleaux formations.  This allows blood to flow faster to and from an injury/ inflamed site, delivering oxygen and reparative agents faster.

Chatter Means Something’s Hot

Currently, the subject of magnetobiology is experiencing a surge in interest in academia, with a staggering 350% increase in articles published on the topic over the last 15 years. What can this mean?

Whenever there is a flurry of research activity in a particular field, it usually means that scientists are finding promising results in their research; i.e. they are seeing something “work” in the lab, which is very exciting, given the many negative test results in medical research.

The findings are published in peer-reviewed medical journals read by researchers around the world. This world-wide, academic collaboration decides whether the topic is valid and worthy of further investigation, and based on the volume of research and amount of positive results, that is the case for pulsed electromagnetic therapy.

What this means to pain sufferers is that PEMF is worth looking into; it has passed the stringent “snake oil test” of medical research involving randomized, controlled clinical trials. I have summarized two of them below.

Study 1:

Low frequency and low intensity pulsed electromagnetic field exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through restoration of plasma membrane calcium ATPase activity

Ramasamy Selvam, et. al. Life Sciences, June 6, 2007

This study involved artificially causing rheumatoid arthritis in rat leg joints by injecting an irritant into the joint. A control group, a group treated with PEMF, and a group treated with a traditional anti-inflammatory medication where used.

To find out whether PEMF has any stabilizing effect on membranes, this study measured PEMFs effect on:

• Edema/ swelling
• Levels of antioxidants
• Plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA)
• Intracellular calcium (Ca+) levels
• Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in blood lymphocytes

RESULTS:

Effect of PEMF on SWELLING: PEMF reduced swelling by 70.71% compared to 77.50% for the group treated with anti-inflammatory medication (diclofenac) — not bad for a non-drug intervention.

Effect of PEMF on ANTI-OXIDANT LEVELS: Cells need anti-oxidants to neutralize free-radicals, which damage cell membranes and DNA. The anti-oxidant levels were decreased in the arthritic group compared to the control (untested) group. However, treatment with PEMF and diclofenac resulted in a significant rise in anti-oxidant activity.

Effect of PEMF on CELL MEMBRANE FUNCTION: PMCA is a protein found in all cells’ plasma membrane (shield or covering) that helps pump calcium ions (Ca+) out of the cell as they build up. It is necessary to keep Ca+ ion concentration low in order for the cell to carry out its normal, biological functions (signaling). When there is inflammation such as that caused by rheumatoid arthritis, it generates oxidative stress (free radical damage) to the cell membrane, resulting in decreased activity of PMCA and buildup of Ca+ ions.

The study demonstrated that PEMF could stabilize the membranes and restore PMCA activity, thereby maintaining intracellular Ca2+ level at extremely low levels. This, in turn, decreased the inflammatory PGE2 levels (prostaglandin—the precursor substance of inflammation) and consequently suppressed the inflammation.

CONCLUSION: low frequency and low intensity PEMF is indeed beneficial in reducing inflammation without potential side effects indicating that it could be a viable alternative therapy for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (and other conditions involving chronic inflammation– my comment).

Study 2:

Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the treatment of chronic postoperative pain following lumbar surgery

Sorrell RG, et.al. Journal of Pain Research, June 22, 2018

The purpose of this study was to assess the analgesic effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) on post-lumbar surgery pain.

The format of the experiment was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicenter study involving 36 subjects with persistent low-back and/or radiating leg pain after lumbar surgery.  Subjects were randomized (1:1:1) to receive one of two doses of therapy (42-μs or 38-μs pulse width) or treatment with a sham device (to test placebo effect). Subjects self-treated twice daily for 60 days.  At the endpoint, subjects filled out several pain evaluation and disability evaluation forms including the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire.

RESULTS:  Low-back pain scores for the 42-μs group decreased by 40.2% compared to 18.6% for the 38-μs pulse width group, and 25.6% for the sham group.  Average leg pain scores decreased by 45.0%, 17.0%, and 24.5%, respectively. The percentage of subjects responding to therapy, time to 30% reduction in pain scores, and Patient Global Impression of Change were improved with the PEMF 42-μs device over the sham control.

CONCLUSION:  PEMF therapy at 42-μs pulse width in this experiment was associated with reduction in pain compared to sham treatment.   Data from the pain questionnaires were consistent with an overall beneficial effect of the PEMF 42-μs pulse width device.

The Bottom Line:

Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy is a safe and viable method for reducing pain.  Originally used to help heal fractures, it is now being investigated for potential use in pain management.  Research suggests that electromagnetic fields influence cell membrane permeability, which has a positive effect on inflammation control and healing, and therefore severity of pain.  Best of all, it doesn’t involve using harmful and addictive medication.    Since there are numerous variables in pain cases (age, general health, pre-existing conditions, tissue type, injury severity, etc.) people will have varying results using PEMF.   Also, you may need to experiment with the dosage (settings) to see what produces the best results for your particular case.  If you are experiencing joint pain from arthritis,  post-surgical pain or a chronic soft tissue/ sprain-strain injury that is taking a long time to completely resolve, I highly recommend you give PEMF a try.

Pulsed EMF devices are generally safe, easy to operate and can be purchased directly for consumer use without a doctor’s prescription.  OMI is a respected, established leader in pulsed EMF devices.  Below are two of their top sellers:

The information contained in this email and on www.PainandInjuryDoctor.com is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as a medical directive. It is provided as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dan Perez, D.C. Every person is unique, and individual cases of pain are therefore unique. Dr. Perez encourages readers of PainandInjuryDoctor.com to use available sources of information to help them make a more educated and informed decision regarding their health, in partnership with one or more qualified health care professionals.