7 Interesting Benefits of PEMF Therapy| How It Can Benefit You
Have you heard of PEMF therapy and wondered what it could do for you? PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) machines are innovative devices that harness electromagnetic fields to support your body’s natural healing processes.
It sounds complicated, and it can be, but I think the benefits certainly warrant taking a little time to learn what it can do for your health.
As an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Technologist, I am no stranger to electromagnets and the amazing applications it has in the healthcare field. When I heard about PEMF I immediately took a deep dive into the rabbit hole wanting to discover how this technology can help improve my sleep and energy during the day. Because working in healthcare…yup, I’m tired.
Along the way, I was shocked (pun intended) to find that PEMF has many other beneficial effects. This includes influencing gene expression…. um, what!?
What Is PEMF Therapy and How Does it Work?
What is PEMF Therapy?
If you feel at all confused by this concept, I don’t blame you. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) is also known as Low Field Magnetic Stimulation (LFMS) or just Field Therapy.
Both sound like a mouth -full whilst also make you sound rather smart. But, let’s break this down for those of us that aren’t feeling so smart right now.
- Electromagnetic– Picture two waves positioned at a 90 degree angle to each other. One electrical wave, and one magnetic wave. Together these are called EMF waves.
- Field– In the nearby space a field is naturally produced. This is the electromagnetic field.
- Pulsed– The EMF waves can occur in bursts or “pulses”, making the resulting field pulse along with it.
Put less simply:
(PEMF) therapy, is a non-invasive therapeutic approach that is gaining popularity for its wide array of health benefits. By utilizing low-frequency electromagnetic waves, PEMF therapy can target the affected area of the body, promoting healing and detoxification throughout various systems.
It’s known to be particularly effective in treating back pain, a common ailment that troubles many individuals.
Additionally, the gentle, calming nature of the electromagnetic waves can interact with the nervous system, helping reduce pain and discomfort in different health conditions.
One remarkable advantage of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is its ability to enhance wound healing and oxygenation within the body.
The targeted electromagnetic waves can stimulate cells in the affected area, thus promoting faster recovery and reducing inflammation. The therapy has been explored as a method to improve oxygenation to tissues, thereby facilitating the body’s natural healing processes.
Its non-invasive nature ensures a calm and soothing experience, making it suitable for those looking to relieve pain and promote overall wellness.
From chronic back pain to complex health conditions, PEMF therapy is emerging as a versatile solution that supports both the body’s structure and function.
I’ll get into the more surprising benefits in a moment, but if you want to skip to it, be my guest!
How PEMF Devices Actually Work
How PEMF exactly benefits your body, requires a bit more explaining. But I will touch on the basics.
PEMF machines are made up of conductive wire (usually copper) and a power source. The machine sends energy from the power source through the wires, generating a current, which creates this magnetic field.
This current can be pulsed which causes the magnetic field to pulse. This pulsing EMF field acts on our bodies at a cellular level which stimulates a variety of health benefits, hence the therapy part!
Why PEMF Therapy May Be a Game-Changer for You, Your Pets, and Just about Everyone
If you are someone who struggles with chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, or consider yourself healthy and just want to improve your energy and athletic performance, PEMF therapy should not be overlooked.
PEMF Therapy has also been approved by the FDA for use in stimulating bone growth, improving post-operative pain and swelling, aiding individuals with depression, and treatment of brain cancer.
Most disease and injuries are accompanied with inflammation and pain. Sports injuries and autoimmune disorders, such as arthritis can cause a loss of mobility and range of motion.
The more information I gathered about the benefits of PEMF had me convinced that this is a technology almost everyone can benefit from.
If you are a pet owner, PEMF can also be used to help your furry friend much in the same way it can help you! If you’ve got an old dog or a large horse, PEMF has been used in the veterinary space to help with injuries and to manage pain.
So without further chit -chat, lets get on with the 7 most shocking benefits I found during my time in the rabbit hole.
1. Can Influence the Expression of Genes Involved in Inflammation
A study done showed that after application of PEMF, inflammatory activity in human cells was reversed.
Since the researchers artificially caused this inflammation to happen by stimulating pro-inflammatory genes, they concluded that the PEMF treatment likely influenced the expression of these genes, perhaps turning them off.
The researchers concluded that this finding may have amazing application potential in the treatment of inflammation without using drugs!
2. May Help Improve Depression
PEMF Therapy has been approved by the FDA for use in individuals with depression who are unresponsive to medication.
Studies show that after treatment with PEMF to the head experience a decrease in depressive symptoms on the Hamilton Depression Scale including:
- feelings of guilt
- suicide
- insomnia
- apathy
3. Can Help Fight Obesity
PEMF can help with obesity in several different ways, both directly and indirectly.
Direct Effects
- Can inhibit the production of new fat cells1
- Can improve levels of adiponectin (a molecule in the body known as a cytokine). This helps increase energy used in the muscles, improved insulin levels, and decreases fat storage.3
- Can help result in lower leptin levels3. Leptin is a hormone that helps tell your brain you are full and to stop eating. However, if you have high leptin levels, you may become leptin-resistant. The overall reduction in leptin back to appropriate levels can help get your appetite back under control and prevent overeating.
- May help break down fat cells. A study was done which resulted in participants losing up to 2.5 inches around their waists in 6 weeks.4
Indirect Effects:
- Can decrease pro-inflammatory substances in the body. Obesity often comes with a bunch of extra inflammation, which can show up at swelling and water retention.2
- PEMF therapy has been shown to increase lean body mass, which means, more energy burned at rest.5
- PEMF can increase energy and metabolism which means more fuel to get up and move!
4. Can Help With Cartilage Regeneration
PEMF has been shown to have a regenerative effect in people suffering from osteoarthritis. Studies showed an increase in cartilage growth and a reduction in inflammation.6
PEMF has also been shown to increase mobility and range of motion in the shoulder joints of older adults.5
5. Helps You Sleep
PEMF machines can also play a crucial role in improving sleep quality. Sleep is an essential restorative process that is regulated by the brain’s electrical activity. Studies have found that PEMF therapy can influence this activity, helping to regulate sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.
A study showed that insomniac participants who were treated using PEMF showed significant improvements with:
- the time it took to fall asleep
- daytime drowsiness
- concentration
- daytime headaches
- amount of sleep interruptions
6. Aids in Faster Recovery
Since PEMF helps fight inflammation and promotes blood flow to damaged tissue. This means that athletes who train hard can expect to recover faster and protect themselves from further injury.
Improved blood flow can:
- bring more oxygen and nutrients to the tissue
- carry waste products away from the tissue
- promote the regeneration of new tissue
- improve brain function
7. May Help Increase Metabolism
PEMF can act on the mitochondria to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The mitochondria is like the cell’s battery and the ATP is the energy currency.
This increase in ATP can potentially increase metabolic rates. This may increase overall energy levels.
Increased mitochondrial function in the cells can also:
- Help bring more nutrients into the cell
- help the cell get rid of waste
- can help the cell’s organelles (which are the like the cell’s organs) function better
Key Considerations for Experiencing the Benefits of PEMF Therapy
It is important to note that if you have any electrical implants or devices (like a pacemaker, insulin pump, or nerve stimulator) PEMF machine may interfere with the operation and function of these devices.
Also, since there is a lack of study done on PEMFs effect on pregnancy, it is best to avoid this therapy while pregnant.
It is important to talk to your trusted healthcare provider whether this therapy may be appropriate for you.
Some of the beneficial effects of PEMF also take awhile to manifest, and daily use is recommended. However, some of the studies I have included in this post saw benefits after a few short treatments!
PEMF Machines and devices also come in different forms. Some are mats that you can lay on or sit on at your desk, others are portable. It depends on what your overall health goals are to pick which PEMF machine is best for you.
There are also PEMF devices that combine other therapies, such as infrared and red light therapy, and negative ion therapy.
How to Get Even More Out of Your PEMF Experience
If you really want to up your PEMF game you can look into mixed-therapy devices. PEMF has some wonderful benefits alone, as we saw in this post.
However, there are devices available that mix in other technology, such as infrared therapy and negative ion therapy.
Combining other therapies can help approach pain and inflammation with two or more different technologies and stimulate the body’s healing abilities
Are There Any Alternatives to PEMF?
If you are looking for other therapies and devices that can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and speed up the overall healing process there are a few alternatives available.
The two most notable alternatives are Red Light Therapy and TENS Therapy.
Red Light and Infrared Therapy
Much like PEMF, IR therapy can energize the cells.
Instead of EMF waves, IR uses different wavelengths of red light, near infrared (NIR) and far infrared (FIR). These different wavelengths penetrate the tissue at different depths.
The overall effect is the stimulation of the body’s natural healing ability.
- Stimulates blood flow
- Aids in recovery of muscles
- Reduces Inflammation
- can also improve mitochondrial function
TENS Therapy
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) uses 2 pads that transmit electrical pulses into the body.
- Helps relieve pain by blocking signals in the brain and spinal cord
- Relax muscles
- Can help release endorphins
Wrapping Up
It’s clear that the benefits of PEMF therapy are both surprising and multi-faceted.
This type of therapy uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves to stimulate the body’s cells, directly affecting tiny organelles and vital processes within the body. Pulsed magnetic field therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, promoting cellular repair and healing in the body.
It enhances blood circulation, improves the movement of nutrients and waste, and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. A PEMF therapy session is effective in reducing joint pain, anxiety, and depression, as well as enhancing the production of adenosine triphosphate and nitric oxide.
PEMF provides many therapeutic benefits at the cellular level and influences cellular metabolism. From chronic stress to various pathologies and potentially harmful effects on every organ’s cell membrane, the therapeutic use of magnetic fields has shown to improve overall wellness, including effective healing processes that help relieve pain and promote recovery.
Not only can a PEMF machine boost your metabolism and aid in weight loss, but it’s also a champion in the arena of sports recovery and injury. By optimizing cellular function and promoting speedy tissue repair, it gives athletes and individuals a much-needed edge in their recovery journey.
The power of PEMF therapy in combating depression is another facet that cannot be understated. On top of that, it stimulates cartilage production, making it a potential game-changer for those suffering from joint disorders, chronic pain, and osteoarthritis.
So, whether you’re seeking an energy boost, battling depression, or aspiring to enhance your athletic performance, PEMF therapy could be the shocking tool you’ve been looking to add to your health and wellness arsenal.
