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.

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.