"As a medical provider, I use PEMF as an adjunct that enhances manual therapy, tissue mobilization, cupping, yoga therapy, therapeutic exercises, breathing training, neuromotor control strategies, postural re-education, dural and neural mobility, joint integrity and stabilization, vagus nerve treatment, and nearly all that I do to help clients in my practice.
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PEMF for Wellness & More
Dr. Jessie • Nov 24, 2022
This is Part Four in a series on PEMF or Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, which is a modality we are pleased to offer in addition to Frequency Specific Microcurrent right here at The Healing Collective.
WHAT IS PEMF?
Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field Therapy is a noncontact, noninvasive, non-pharmacological modality that is used to promote optimal cellular function so that your body can do what it is designed to do: heal. Click here for the complete series on PEMF in the Be Well Blog.
NOTICE: PEMF and associated therapies do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
Despite the growing body of research on PEMF (click here for a sample), we are limited when it comes to claims of its therapeutic use. Companies are allowed to promote PEMF devices for wellness management, but are regulated to limit claims for its effects beyond this.
Providers who utilize PEMF in practice are able to share clinical results which are not necessarily meant to apply to everyone. From a Functional Medicine perspective especially, we understand that not every intervention works the same for every person, and it is important to cater treatments to the individual client's real-time, short-term, and long-term responses. It is potentially dangerous to assume a "standardized" treatment will work the same way for each individual, especially when we are working with a modality that is in the early stages of research, and especially when we are working with clients who may have complex, complicated, chronic and multi-layered dis-ease.
The good news is that PEMF has been shown to be relatively benign and has few minor side effects (Ross 2021, Cadossi 2020,see references). We will cover these in a future post on PEMF Precautions & Contraindications, so subscribe to our blog if you are interested.
Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials have reported positive efficacy and safety profiles when PEMF was used to treat the following (Ross 2021):
- Non-specific low back pain
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Chronic post-operative pain
- Osteoarthritis-related pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis-related pain
- Fibromyalgia-related pain
There are many other conditions that clinical experience demonstrates can be supported by PEMF therapies, and it will be exciting to watch as future research unfolds surrounding this modality.
I have seen clinical outcomes from PEMF therapy that help with chronic pain and inflammation, headaches, vagal tone, tissue healing, circulation, wound healing, digestion, and much much more. I work with a fully-customizable, multiple-channel PEMF device that allows me to have complete real time control over the wave form, slope, intensity, frequency combinations, and time durations of treatments, which means each client gets an individualized experience that is catered to their specific clinical presentation and response."
– Dr. Jessie
Not all PEMF devices are created equally, and not all providers utilize PEMF in the same way. As an empowered patient, you can learn about this modality to make an educated choice. As we mentioned in an earlier post, you don't need any medical training to obtain certain classes of PEMF devices while with others, there is a trained provider programming the device for your individual needs. Depending on what benefits you are looking for, you may want to screen your provider prior to seeking PEMF support.
Here is a list of questions you can ask your provider to determine if they will help give you the best individualized experience with PEMF Therapy:
- Which PEMF device(s) do you use and why?
- Can you change the frequencies that your device delivers?
- How many frequencies does your device run at one time (for example, 1 frequency, 2 separate frequencies, 4 frequency pairs)?
- What is the range of frequencies (for example, 0.10 Hz to 9,999.0 Hz)?
- Do you customize the time duration of treatments?
- Can you customize my treatment in real time based off of my response?
- Have you treated my condition before? What were the time frames and outcomes?
- What research are you aware of to support the use of PEMF for my condition?
Interested in learning more? Schedule a free consult with Dr. Jessie to discuss how PEMF may be able to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
Subscribe to our Blog and get updates on PEMF Therapy straight to your inbox:
- What is PEMF?
- History of PEMF
- What types of PEMF technology exist?
- What PEMF Evidence and Research is available?
- What can PEMF therapy support?
- PEMF Contraindications and Precautions
- How we use PEMF at The Healing Collective
- What are the differences between FSM and PEMF?
RESOURCES
Balcavage W, Alvager T, Swez J, Goff CW, Fox MT, Abdullyava S, et al. A mechanism for action of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on biological systems. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1996; 222(075):374–8.
Cadossi R; Massari L, Racine-Avila J, Aaron RK. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation of Bone Healing and Joint Preservation: Cellular Mechanisms of Skeletal Response". JAAOS Global Research & Reviews. 2020; 4(5): e19.00155. doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00155. ISSN2474-7661. PMC7434032.
Foley KT, Mroz TE, Arnold PM, et al. Randomized, prospective, and controlled clinical trial of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for cervical fusion. Spine J. 2008;8:436–42.
Ross C, Overholt T, Xu R, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) as an adjunct therapy for pain management in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Int Urogynecol J. 2021; 10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3
Ross C, Teli T, Harrison B. Electromagnetic field devices and their effect on nociception and peripheral inflammatory pain mechanisms. Altern Ther Health Med. 2016; 22:34–47.
Shupak NM, McKay JC, Nielson WR, Rollman GB, Prato FS, Thomas AW. Exposure to a specific pulsed low-frequency magnetic field: a double-blind placebo-controlled study of effects on pain ratings in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients. Pain Res Manag. 2006; 11:85–90.
Sutbeyaz ST, Sezer N, Koseoglu F, Kibar S. Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in fibromyalgia: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical study. Clin J Pain. 2009;25:722–8.
Thomas AW, Graham K, Prato FS, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain. Pain Res Manag. 2007; 12:249–58.
Ye H, Steiger, A. Neuron matters: electric activation of neuronal tissue is dependent on the interaction between the neuron and the electric field. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2015; 1 2(doi: 10.1186/s12984-015-0061-1):65.
CASE REPORT: FSM in the TREATMENT of MS
Heart health is a major concern for many people. According to the Centers For Disease Control Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been the leading cause of death since 1950. Many daily choices are based on heart health. These may include not smoking, exercising, limiting high fat foods, taking heart focused supplements/medications, heart medical tests, and more.
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The next several blogs will be presenting a series of information about menopause. This topic is SO immense that it will take many months to share...besides menopause is a journey! This series will open with presenting an article, “Women Have Been Mislead About Menopause” in the New York Times that was published in February 2023. I tremendously appreciate this article due to the blend of compassion and sensitivity regarding women who suffer through menopause and the scientific reporting from many excellent sources including large and small studies and experts in the field. Menopause is a topic that I am very passionate about. It affects every single woman and despite this wide reach, there is still a high amount of reported confusion, distress and poor impacts to quality of life and global health reported by women during per-menopause and menopause. One healthcare topic that affects half of the population in the world is worth giving lots of attention! But yet there is tremendous controversy about this topic and many women report difficulty having a satisfying conversation w/ their providers about menopause- one where they feel well informed of benefits and not just risks, lack of judgment and a sensitivity to their experience. Here are some important take-aways from this article regarding the many signs and symptoms women can experience: About 85% of women experience symptoms during menopause Hot flash’s are too often all that is discussed and understood by women as menopause symptoms. In fact there are whole body, systemic changes as well. The severity and experiences vary woman to women but here is a more complete list of signs and symptoms: Brain: Vascular effects, cognitive changes/impairments, poor word finding, forgetfulness, short term memory disturbances. Mental/Emotional Health- Insomnia, depression, anxiety, irritability, reduced libido Skin/Mucous Membranes- Dryness to skin, mouth, eyes; accelerated skin aging in appearance and loss of elasticity Cardiovascular- Increased cholesterol Gastrointestinal- Digestive disturbances Genitourinary/Vaginal- urinary leakage/incontinence, dryness, painful intercourse, atrophic vaginitis, increase in infections such as “BV” (bacterial vaginitis) and yeast infections, excessive vaginal bleeding, unpredictable menstrual cycles, shortening or lengthening of menstrual cycle. Musculoskeletal- joint pain, bone density loss that can lead to Osteopenia and further to Osteoporosis Metabolic- weight gain and body composition changes including reduction in muscle mass and increase in belly fat
Everyone talks about what to expect during pregnancy and the first year of a child’s life, but few women are aware and few allopathic providers are talking about what to expect in perimenopause, which is why it is vital to increase awareness and inspire action. Most women enter perimenopause in their 40’s, but changes can begin as early as mid to late 30’s. These changes and symptoms can begin up to 10 years before menopause. Perimenopausal women may experience none, some, or all of the following symptoms:
Glyphosate is a worldwide commonly used herbicide and is the primary toxic chemical in Roundup™, as well as in many other herbicides.
Have you been eating a dangerous dose of poison without even knowing it?!
Since the 1970s, we've seen a huge increase of a herbicide called glyphosate on our food crops - scientists estimate that over 150,000 tons are sprayed annually across America!
This month's blog is inspired by the times- back to school, approaching fall a.k.a cold/flu season and the increase in COVID cases amongst us. In fact I was exposed myself and am now nursing myself back to health. The functional medicine approach is quite simple when it comes to maintaining and improving health. Eliminate what doesn't belong in the body that contributes to disease and introduce or increase what supports health. In regards to viral illnesses such as the common cold and COVID, this approach is very helpful. While we still can be exposed and contract an illness, the severity of the illness can be significantly reduced by following dietary considerations and taking supportive supplements before, during, and after an illness.
We have supported procedures including root canals, tooth extractions, shoulder replacements, hysterectomies, orchiopexies, ACL reconstructions, rotator cuff repairs, hip replacements, knee replacements & revisions, spinal surgeries, fusions, ankle surgeries, fracture ORIFs, osteoporosis & osteopenia, abdominal surgeries, and many many more procedures with frequency medicine. While we love to help our patients prevent the need for drugs or surgery, there are times when a procedure is essential and we especially enjoy helping the process go as smoothly as possible.
Frequency Specific Microcurrent pairs tissue and condition frequencies to elicit notable changes in patient symptoms. Brain Fog, Stroke, Acute and Chronic Concussion are conditions that all can be supported by a skilled Frequency Specific Microcurrent Practitioner who customizes treatment to your specific condition.
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