TLDR: Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a powerful and effective wellness treatment which uses magnetic waves generated from electricity to stimulate different parts of the body and brain. Studies have shown that PEMF therapy has had positive effects on humans and animals, such as reducing pain, improving sleep and mood, improving cognitive functioning, increasing alertness, and speeding up bone regrowth. It is a safe and reliable form of therapy that has been used for many years with great success.
See what the research has to say about PEMF therapy and get answers to some frequently asked questions below. (And for our fellow research junkies, we’ve cited all our sources below too!)
Is PEMF Therapy Safe?
PEMF therapy is gentle and subtle, significantly less intense than other forms of magnetic or electromagnetic therapies such as Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). Whereas rTMS operates with a 1-3T (Tesla) changing magnetic field [2], PEMF operates with a micro (1/1,000,000) to milli (1/1,000) Tesla magnitude - thousands of times weaker than rTMS. Yet, it has been shown that these targeted frequencies and small magnetic fields are sufficient to bring about the same positive benefits of PEMF therapy, without the need for a powerful EM field.
How Do PEMF Therapy Devices Work?
PEMF therapy operates under the universal relationship between electrical current and magnetism. An Electromagnetic Field is produced when a coil of wire creates a changing electrical field, leading to a subsequent magnetic field. The magnetic field is active only when the current is active, and immediately disappears once the current is turned off [1].
PEMF therapy is a form of therapy that utilizes magnetic fields and frequencies to promote healing and cognitive enhancement. Two important terms to understand in the context of PEMF are magnetic field strength, or Teslas, and frequency, or Hertz (Hz). PEMF as we discuss it here refers to weaker magnetic fields (< 0.1 T) in the low-frequency range (under 100Hz), as induced by pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) [2]. This method can be targeted to any part of the body desired for treatment, while transcranial PEMF (tPEMF) refers to application to the brain. tPEMF is cited to be the method which invokes cognitive enhancement, improved sleep, and other behavioral or mood benefits.
What Does PEMF Therapy Do To the Body?
PEMF therapy is a powerful tool for health and wellbeing, with its ability to provide energy to the cells in the body and stimulate brainwave entrainment. Its magnetic field is able to induce a positive state in the brain's own electromagnetic fields. Although the exact mechanisms of how this works are not yet fully understood, PEMF therapy is a great way to help improve overall health.
PEMF therapy is based on the principle of electromagnetic current induction, where a changing magnetic field induces a current in the body's cells and proteins. This is achieved using a PEMF device, which produces a pulsating magnetic field that induces an electric current [3][4]. This process is what causes the beneficial effects of PEMF therapy, and is the basis for its therapeutic use.
PEMF Therapy Influences Biochemical Process
It is clear that PEMF therapy can create numerous biochemical processes and changes within cells [2][3][4][5]. This is evidenced by the physical, behavioral, and neurophysiological changes that have been observed in those who have undergone PEMF therapy. For example, studies have demonstrated that PEMF produces significant increases in cell growth, nerve fiber regeneration, reduced inflammation, and accelerated bone regrowth [4][6]. These results suggest that PEMF therapy has the potential to be a powerful tool for healing and regenerating the body.
PEMF therapy has been found to have a significant impact on the cell membrane, the outer “shell” of the cell, which plays an important role in sending and receiving signals, energy, and nutrients. Electromagnetic fields have also been shown to affect neuronal-receptor function, and studies have demonstrated that PEMF therapy can increase serotonin and cannabinoid receptors [7][8][9][10]. These findings and others have made PEMF therapy a promising tool for treating a variety of conditions and diseases.
