Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has many proven health benefits for both your physical and mental health.
There has been extensive research over the past three decades that document how this treatment can help people achieve health and wellness.
As researchers learn more about PEMF therapy, doctors and therapists are exploring more options for the use of this powerful form of treatment.
PEMF is now widely used to treat a number of health problems, diseases and disorders.
In addition to treating illness and disorders, PEMF is now recommended for the prevention of many common health problems.
When you use PEMF regularly, you can enjoy a stronger body and a healthier mind.
Here are some of the many essential benefits that PEMF therapy can offer for your health.
Improved Blood Circulation
One of the most significant advantages of PEMF therapy is its ability to improve blood circulation in the body.
This benefit means that your cells get more nourishing oxygen and micronutrients, while toxins and wastes are flushed more often from your cells.
These mechanisms help your cells stay healthier and stronger.
In 2004, a study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Research explored the link between PEMF therapy and the function of arteriolar micro blood vessels (1).
Researchers conducted this animal trial to determine, if PEMF therapy could increase vasodilation of particular blood vessels, which would lead to better circulation.
After measuring the diameter of arteriolar micro-vessels, the subjects were given regular PEMF stimulation, and the micro-vessels were measured again.
PEMF therapy had a positive impact on vasodilation, leading to better blood flow and widened blood vessels.
PEMF, therefore, can increase blood circulation in many instances.
Enhanced Range of Motion
There are many conditions that can lower your ability to fully move your joints.
The different types of arthritis, tendinitis, spinal degeneration and bone or ligament damage are just a few of the things that can cause you to lose range of motion in one or more joints.
PEMF treatments can help lower inflammation, increase blood flow and reduce the pain that may be causing your limited range of motion.
In a 1996 study examining the effects of PEMF therapy on patients with osteoarthritis, those individuals receiving this treatment had less pain, fewer muscle spasms and improved their ability to move their necks more fully (2).
This study, published in Clinical Rheumatology, illustrates how PEMF therapy can help improve movement in joints affected by various disorders that can limit the range of motion.
Lowered Pain Levels
For some types of disorders, PEMF can be effective at reducing pain and improving the patient’s quality of life.
The European Journal of Surgery in 1999 published a study that showed this capability (3).
Patients with pelvic pain, due to a variety of disorders, experienced less pain after being treated regularly with the PEMF therapy method.
PEMF could be a promising therapy for treating pain due to tissue trauma, chronic disease, acute joint disorders and other sources of discomfort.
Improved Arthritis Symptoms
Patients with arthritis can use PEMF to lower their pain and inflammation, while improving their quality of life.
Indian researchers shared evidence in 1998 that PEMF therapy is effective at treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (4).
Those with arthritis know that finding a lasting solution with no side effects, can mean more activity and improved wellness for sufferers.
Treat Fibromyalgia
Treating chronic diseases, like fibromyalgia, can be difficult.
PEMF has been shown to lower pain and tenderness in patients with this disease, as well as address other symptoms of this disorder. In a 2007 study published in Pain Research & Management : The Journal of the Canadian Pain Society, researchers found that PEMF therapy was effective, when used on patients with fibromyalgia (5).
The therapy helped to reduce pain and improve range of motion after just one week of treatment.
Because fibromyalgia often results in diffuse, widespread pain, it can be difficult to target with other forms of treatment.
However, PEMF is an effective, practical treatment for this chronic disorder.
Repair Nerve Cells
Many disorders and injuries result in pain, numbness, or tingling in nerve cells throughout the body.
Common types of nerve pain include sciatic nerve damage and diabetic polyneuropathy.
Patients with these and other nerve damage issues may experience chronic pain, as well as the loss of movement in specific areas.
In 1993, researchers confirmed that PEMF therapy could be used to improve the function of nerve tissue in the body (6).
This study, conducted in animal trials, confirmed that stimulating nerve tissue, using PEMF waves, can increase nerve repair and rejuvenation.
In a 2013 study, researchers applied PEMF to patients with diabetic polyneuropathy, which creates an impairment in both peripheral and motor nerve cells (7).
In this study, patients saw improved function and reduced pain, after receiving regular PEMF treatment.
Enhanced Cell Regeneration
As early as 1986, researchers understood the power of PEMF therapy on cell regeneration.
In a study published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, researchers demonstrated that soft-tissue damage heals faster, when exposed to PEMF therapy (8).
More Effective Bone Healing
Fractures sometimes do not fully heal or have difficulty in achieving full union between the two bone fragments.
This is what is known as a non-union or delayed union fracture.
In 1999, researchers in Bangladesh demonstrated that fractures that were having difficulty healing, when exposed to PEMF therapy, achieved a higher success rate of producing unions, than those that did not receive treatment (9).
This study has since been replicated many times, making PEMF a reliable and trusted form of therapy for treating several types of bone fractures.
Reduce Depression Symptoms
Depression is a common mental illness that affects millions of individuals.
Not only is PEMF therapy effective at healing the body, but it can also be used to help heal the mind.
A study published in 2000 demonstrated that PEMF therapy can be used to improve one’s emotional state and to enhance emotional stability (10).
PEMF treatments have been shown to lower fear, anxiety, and depression.
In addition to general and clinical depression, PEMF can also be used to treat other forms of the disease.
For example, those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can see improvement in their symptoms, when using PEMF.
In 2013, researchers shared the results of a clinical trial, in which patients with PTSD received a form of PEMF therapy (11).
After the treatment period, patients reported fewer episodes of PTSD symptoms, as well as a reduction in feelings of depression.
Fewer and Less Severe Migraines
Migraine headaches can cause pain, sensory sensitivity and other harsh symptoms that can interfere with your life.
PEMF can be used to reduce the severity and frequency of these types of headaches in some people.
A 1999 study, published in the journal Headache, shared results of one study, where patients with chronic headaches were treated with PEMF therapy (12).
After treatment, patients in this study group experienced fewer headaches, with many having no more during the study period.
Those with migraines reported that their symptoms were less severe.
Decreased Back Pain
Several types of musculoskeletal disorders result in back pain, which is one of the most commonly reported orthopedic problems in the U.S.
Back pain can cause you to miss work and can keep you from fully enjoying life.
A 2013 study, published in the West Indian Medical Journal, showed that PEMF therapy may be able to ease many different types of back pain problems (13).
Patients in the study, who had back pain resulting from many different causes, were treated with either PEMF and pain medication or just pain medication.
After nine days of regular treatment, those in the participant group reported less pain, quicker recovery and improved overall function.
PEMF could become a standard and effective treatment for all types of back pain, including those that are not responsive to other forms of therapy.
Lower Stress Levels
Stress has many negative effects on the body. Stress contributes to several disorders, including diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, depression, anxiety and inflammatory diseases.
Your body needs relief from the excessive number of stress hormones that we live with, in our daily lives.
PEMF therapy can help.
PEMF modifies how your cells respond to stress, including affecting the release of stress hormones, like cortisol.
Using PEMF therapy for more extended periods can reduce the overall effect that stress has on your body, which will improve your overall health and wellness.
Improved Athletic Performance
Muscle tissue must repair and heal after workouts or sports matches.
When muscles can heal more quickly, you can get more from your workouts and build muscle faster.
Muscles that heal faster also experience less pain and are less likely to experience injury or fatigue.
PEMF has been shown to improve cell regeneration, improve overall recovery time and enhance the process that repairs muscle tissues after exertion.
This could lead to athletes being able to train longer, with shorter recovery windows.
PEMF also enhances oxygen absorption of muscle tissue, which can also improve recovery time.
By improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation in the body, PEMF could mean a strategic training difference for many athletes.
Better Outcomes After Joint Replacement
When having a joint replaced, such as a hip or knee, you may still have pain, inflammation or lack of mobility after your surgery.
This is one of the risks of this type of operation.
Finding ways to improve outcomes and lower post-operative pain, swelling and mobility problems continue to be a goal of orthopedic medicine.
In a 2014 study that was published in International Orthopaedics, patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty, also known as knee replacement surgery, were treated with PEMF therapy to see if treatment made a difference in their outcomes post-surgery (14).
Half of the study participants were treated with PEMF therapy regularly, both before and after surgery.
Patients who received PEMF, reported less pain and swelling and an improved functional score compared to those who were treated using conventional forms of therapy.
This difference was noted after surgery, at a six months post-operative check-in and even three years after the replacement.
Those who received PEMF had less likelihood of having pain, walking limitations or increased inflammation than those without.
It is believed that, by controlling joint inflammation early in the recovery process, patients are able to heal faster and enjoy more positive results from this type of operation.
Protection from Electrosmog
Electrosmog comes from the harmful frequencies emitted from the various electronic devices in our lives.
Everything from hair dryers to Wi-Fi signals to power lines emit electrical wavelengths that can have a negative impact on the body.
PEMF treatments stimulate your cells, which allows them to work at their healthy frequencies. This helps them to resist the influence of electrosmog in your life.
Sleep Better
PEMF treatment is an excellent solution for a number of sleep problems.
By stimulating the hypothalamus with low-frequency pulses, you can regulate your circadian rhythms to control your sleep pattern.
This can help you feel sleepy at the right time, calm your brain, when it’s time for rest and prepare for the restful phase of sleep, known as REM sleep.
By improving circulation and blood flow, as we shared earlier, PEMF therapy can also help to alleviate pain that disrupts your sleep, allowing you to sleep more soundly.
By lowering your stress levels and decreasing your cortisol and other stress hormone levels, you’ll fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and enjoy a better night’s rest.
Better Overall Health
All of these many benefits mentioned lead to improved overall health outcomes.
PEMF therapy is effective for reducing many causes or contributing factors to long-term diseases and their symptoms.
It helps your body to naturally heal itself better.
It reduces pain, inflammation and stress, which are the leading causes of depression, missing work and not fully enjoying your life.
Using PEMF therapy regularly, has a positive and cumulative effect on your overall health.
By boosting your cells’ electrical charges and allowing them to function at their fullest, you will enjoy better physical and mental health for many years.