PEMF is a type of therapy that uses electro-magnetic energy to heal the body. It uses brief bursts of an electro-magnetic field to trigger the natural healing process at a cellular level. PEMF stands for ‘Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field’.
It is a non-invasive and drug-free approach that is often used to complement other therapies. It is most commonly used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
PEMF THERAPY EXPLAINED
PEMF therapy involves the use of a pulsed electromagnetic field to treat several medical conditions and boost overall health. It uses brief bursts of magnetic field energy to trigger the natural healing process. Safety Notice – individuals who use a pacemaker, defibrillator or any other similar type of implant should not use PEMF as it may cause interference.
It is most often used to relieve pain, heal persistent injuries, and reduce inflammation. PEMF devices offer an affordable, non-invasive, and non-pharmacological approach to pain-relief and healing therapies.
The most common types are PEMF devices are healing mats and pads. A PEMF heating mat looks very similar way to a yoga mat. It is rolled out on the floor and the full-body lies on top – it treats the entire body from head to toe.
A PEMF pad is a smaller device that wraps around a specific part of the body, eg: the arm or leg. It delivers targetted PEMF energy to a particular area – and not the whole body.
DOES PEMF THERAPY REALLY WORK?
Yes, there have been many studies done around the world that have confirmed the therapeutic effects of PEMF. Among the most popular uses of PEMF therapy are pain relief, healing injuries, and reducing inflammation.
PEMF has been used successfully to relieve post-surgical pain and pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy pain is the result of nerve damage that can occur in people that have diabetes.
Studies have also shown that PEMF could help the process of bone formation and healing by triggering antioxidative defense mechanisms at a cellular level. This is a promising discovery for people suffering persistent bone injuries that are proving difficult to heal
Further research has shown that PEMF may play a role in reducing chronic inflammation. It is believed the electro magnetic waves may play a role at a cellular level that can inhibit and resolve inflammation.
See below for more information on the research behind these discoveries.
PEMF & PAIN RELIEF
PEMF therapy has been used successfully to treat postsurgical pain and swelling. It is also used to treat chronic wounds that are experiencing difficulty in healing.
A study from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that PEMF is a powerful tool for the treatment of postoperative pain and edema.
They were able to provide clinical evidence that PEMF can successfully reduce pain and swelling following injury or surgery. No known side-effects were observed.
PEMF MATS, PADS & WRAPS
The two most popular PEMF devices are Mats, Pads, and Wraps. As mentioned above these devices offer an affordable way of introducing PEMF therapy into your home.
PEMF mats have a similar appearance to a yoga mat and are used to treat the entire body. They are a popular option for people that want an all-over body session.
A PEMF pad, or PEMF wrap, is a smaller device that delivers targeted healing energy to a specific part of the body. For example, it can be wrapped around the knee to provide targeted pain relief and healing energy.
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HOW DOES PEMF THERAPY WORK?
According to PEMF specialists ‘Pulse Centers’ – PEMF is a soothing and healing therapy that works by stimulating the natural restorative process. It works at a cellular level by encouraging cells to resolve cellular damage and boost overall wellness.
What does PEMF therapy do? It’s believed it promotes healing using a process known as Low Field Magnetic Stimulation. This involves the use of electromagnetic frequencies to achieve a therapeutic effect.
PEMF devices generate repeated short bursts of magnetic energy. These magnetic fields have a frequency in the range of 1 to 100Hz. It is believed this low field magnetic stimulation boosts the natural healing process at a cellular level.
THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
The most popular PEMF treatments are for pain relief, healing injuries, and reducing inflammation. Many scientific studies have been completed around the world to assess the effectiveness of PEMF therapy. Lets take a look, see below.
PAIN RELIEF
A study by B. Strauch of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that PEMF therapy could be successfully used in the management of postsurgical pain, edema, and the treatment of chronic wounds. [more here]
A study by By C. Shealy and Sergey Sorin, published on practicalpainmanagement.com, found that PEMF reduced pain intensity in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur in people that have diabetes.
HEALING POWERS
A study by Sabrina Ehnert of the Institute for Trauma Research in Germany, published on Nature.com, found that PEMF treatment causes antioxidative defense mechanisms in human osteoblasts. This process could help the process of bone formation and healing. [more here]
REDUCES INFLAMMATION
A study by Nicole J Kubat and the Life Science Department of Scottsdale Arizona found that PEMF therapy may play a role in reducing chronic inflammation.
They concluded ‘PEMF therapy may promote chronic inflammation resolution by mediating gene expression changes important for inhibiting and resolving inflammation.’ [more here]
Other promising areas of treatment include osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and pelvic pain.
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PEMF DEFINITION
PEMF stands for Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field. It is a type of electromagnetic therapy that uses short bursts of low-intensity electromagnetic energy to boost health and wellness.
It is a safe, non-invasive method for treating pain and inflammation. PEMF is often used to complement other traditional treatment methods.
It uses magnetic frequencies in the range of 1 to 100 Hz at short bursts and very low intensities. Multiple studies around the world have examined the effectiveness of PEMF therapy in treating a range of medical conditions – as discussed above.
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PEMF THERAPY SIDE EFFECTS
PEMF therapy is a well-studied healing tool used to treat a range of conditions. It is most commonly used for pain relief, reducing inflammation, and helping to heal persistent injuries.
PEMF is generally considered safe for use in most scenarios – mild side effects have been reported and may include headache, nausea, muscle ache, and fatigue.
If you are new to PEMF therapy you should seek medical advice before you begin. Also, you should start with sort sessions and gently increase the length of a session as your body becomes accustomed to the magnetic field energy.
PEMF SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
What about PEMF safety? It is generally accepted to be a safe and non-invasive therapy – but as with any form of therapy, you should seek the advice of a medical professional if you have any concerns.
PEMF therapy is not recommended for anyone that is currently pregnant or may be pregnant, or for anyone that has an implanted electrical device such as a pacemaker.
If you’re looking for a compact, affordable, high-end infrared and PEMF mat – check out our independent HigherDose Go Mat Review.
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About the Author
MAGNUS KARLSSON (BSc, MSc)
• Senior Editor at Home Sauna Heaven
As a native Swede, Magnus developed a deep fascination with the art of sauna bathing from an early age. Born and raised in the picturesque landscapes of Småland Sweden, he grew up in a family where sauna was deeply embedded in the community and daily routine. He graduated from Linnaeus University with a Master of Science in Health Science with a special focus on the “Comparative Analysis of Traditional Saunas vs. Infrared Saunas”.
Moving to the United States in his late twenties, Magnus worked as a health and fitness advisor in a well-known spa and wellness retreat in Malibu California. Over the next 12 years he became the spa’s leading sauna consultant and mentored colleagues on the benefits and applications of sauna therapy.
In 2019 he relocated to Florida to open his own wellness retreat in the Tampa Bay area. Here he continues to inspire others with the restorative power of sauna therapy. In 2020, he became senior editor of Home Sauna Heaven where he shares his deep understanding of infrared sauna and offers expert advice on its applications, benefits, and periodic product reviews.
