What is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

What are PEMFs

 

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, or PEMF in short, is a treatment in which the patient is subjected to electromagnetic radiation to restore health.

This therapeutic modality has a long history and has progressively been undergoing fine-tuning over the last years.

At the root of this therapy lies the fact that all living organisms use electromagnetic radiation for their proper functioning.

Organic molecules, for example, proteins, sugars, and DNA interact with each other through electromagnetic forces.

It has also been shown that cells communicate by sending and receiving specific electromagnetic signals.

It is well-known that our brain emits electromagnetic radiation, which can be measured with an EEG.

Whole bodies radiate visible light which is called biophoton emission.

In the case of disease, these electromagnetic functions are disturbed, as can be shown by for example an abnormal biophoton count.

PEMF aims to normalize the intrinsic electromagnetic functions by applying external EM fields.

Therefore, it targets the root cause of the disease rather than merely working in on secondary symptoms.

It has been firmly established in more than 2000 medical studies that PEMF is an effective form of medicine.

Thanks to scientific research, our understanding of how this therapy works and how we can use it to get the best possible results has increased dramatically.

Certain diseases and conditions will benefit from specific light parameters, while others demand a different treatment regime.

PEMF machines are specifically designed to determine the proper electromagnetic parameters in each case and apply this therapy to rebalance cellular dysfunction.

PEMF can reduce pain, inflammation, stress and platelet adhesion.

It can also improve healing of bone, cartilage, tendons, nerves and muscles by stimulating cellular regeneration.

Higher radiation intensities, on the other hand, can induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which can be useful for example to combat malignant tumors.

Very fine-tuned modulation of the immune system can be achieved by carefully selected treatment regimes.

PEMF can be used to induce muscle relaxation, and improve blood circulation.

 

History

 

The history of PEMF goes back almost a hundred years.

Alexander Gurwitsch, a Russian biologist discovered in the 1920’s that onions cut in half emitted electromagnetic radiation that was capable of inducing cell proliferation in adjacent pieces of onions.

He speculated that the phenomenon was widespread in all living organisms and coined the term “mitogenic radiation”.

Due to the very low emission intensity and corresponding technical difficulties, this exciting new branch of research took some time to really take off.

Only a few decades later was science advanced enough to directly measure these electromagnetic emissions, called biophotons.

For this, Fritz-Albert Popp had to construct light-tight chambers in which subjects had to sit still for a long time.

It became evident that there are strong correlations between these emissions and the state of health of the examined subject.

Plant leafs with tumors, for example, displayed higher biophoton counts than their healthy counterparts.

Patients who have hypothyroidism on the other hand display less intense radiation.

Apart from that, the measured intensity of the emissions fluctuated according to daily and even yearly rhythmic patterns.

An anatomic facet was also discovered: intensities were higher in certain regions than in others, for example, the upper extremities compared to the eyes.

In healthy people, emissions are symmetrical, whereas in sufferers of multiple sclerosis this symmetry is clearly absent.

Biophotonic research flourished to the point where it could be used to diagnostically differentiate between different types of cancer.

Completely separately from this research, other scientists discovered other areas where electromagnetic radiation was emitted by organisms.

Emissions by the brain can be measured by an electroencephalogram (EEG) and reveal a lot of useful information about the proper functioning of this organ.

In labs, it was discovered that cells, which were completely physically isolated, apart from being able to absorb each others’ electromagnetic radiation, could influence each other through this way.

Proliferating cells could induce proliferation in neighboring cells.

The speculation arose that, if cells communicate electromagnetically, external radiation could be used to restore health.

Electromagnetic field therapy was born, and despite initial difficulties caused by an improper understanding of how it works, its efficacy was proven scientifically.

Over the years, it was given many different names, such as light therapy, low-level laser therapy, and low-intensity laser therapy, but all are based on the same principles.

In the 1970’s, the first high-powered electromagnetic field therapy device was designed.

By now, the main mechanisms by which magnetic field therapy works on a molecular level, are well established.

Our knowledge on these molecular mechanisms-of-action and the clinical applications are expanding rapidly.

Due to this, PEMF is becoming recognized more widely.

By now, health agencies of several countries, mainly in North America and in Europe, have approved electromagnetic therapy for an array of different medical indications, such as non-union bone fractures, muscle stimulation, urinary incontinence, migraine headaches, anxiety, and depression.

 

What’s the Best Frequency

 

As discussed earlier, electromagnetic radiation has a number of parameters, such as frequency, intensity, polarization, coherence and pulsation duration.

All of these can have, to a higher or a lesser extent, a determining effect in the clinical outcome of PEMF.

One of the most important ones is frequency.

The frequency of radiation is measured in Hertz, which means the number of cycles per second.

It is inversely correlated to the wavelength of the light, which is measured in nanometers, so the two parameters are often used interchangeably.

Irena Cosic, a molecular biologist, discovered how to calculate the frequency of light emitted by proteins, RNA and DNA molecules, purely from their sequence.

She found out that certain cellular functions are associated with specific frequencies.

This provided a molecular basis for using the correct wavelengths in therapies.

For example, if a patient has wounds whose healing we want to facilitate, the most effective frequencies can be calculated from the proteins that are involved healing processes.

Alternatively, proteins that are involved in immune responses against bacteria can teach us which frequencies we can apply externally to stimulate these immune responses.

Electromagnetic radiation can be used to stimulate or inhibit very general cellular processes, but also to work in on very specific ones by using this principle.

Other researchers found out that at larger levels than molecules, lower frequencies are involved.

Whereas protein frequencies are in the order of 15 million billion Hertz, brain waves are between 0 and 30 Hertz, which correspond to low-delta and high-beta waves.

Notably, the natural frequency of the Earth, which is called the Schumann frequency is within this range, at 7.83 Hz.

Frequencies of larger molecules, cell organelles, and organs are in between this extremes.

NASA found out that the lower frequencies in this range are very potent in inducing cell growth, stimulating healing, and repair.

This is because they are working on the body as a whole.

Rather than targeting only a small part, these frequencies stimulate the integrated working of all components of the body.

For this reason, a PEMF machine emits radiation in this lower window of 0 to 30 Hertz.

Several studies have shown that treatment with these frequencies is effective.

 

Why is a Biorhythm Clock Important

 

As has been known for a long time, the electromagnetic radiation that our bodies emit fluctuates rhythmically over the period of 1 day.

Scientists call this a diurnal rhythm.

What this means is that, at a certain time of the day, a frequency will work better or worse than at another time.

These frequencies are closely related to the function of the body at that specific time.

It makes sense that, when we apply external pulsed electromagnetic fields, we should choose the correct frequencies in order to stimulate the desired bodily functions.

For example, in the morning, frequencies of the beta-range (15-30 Hertz) can be measured.

These frequencies are associated with an alert state of being.

At that time of the day, PEMF’s should also employ frequencies in this band, as to stimulate alertness.

Conversely, at the end of the day, we emit EM radiation of the theta-delta-band (0-7 Hertz), which is associated with relaxation.

Accordingly, in the evening we should expose ourselves to PEMF’s of the same range to prepare our minds and bodies to go to bed.

If a PEMF device would use higher frequencies, in the beta-band for example, we would work against what our bodies want and need at that time and become more alert and awake.

An interesting sidenote is that the frequencies at which the Earth vibrates also display this cyclical pattern.

During the daytime, frequencies are slightly higher than at night.

Our bodies are phase-locked with the Earth by resonance.

In a way, a PEMF machine mimics the natural circadian effects the Earth has on our bodies.

 

What is the Ideal Amplitude or Intensity

 

The intensity of the applied radiation is, next to the frequency or wavelength, the most important parameter which will determine the clinical outcome of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy.

The intensity is measured in Joules and is basically the amount of energy that is being applied to the tissues.

It is the product of the power of the electromagnetic radiation, measured in Watts, and the total time of exposure, measured in seconds.

It has been shown that even a very low power level can be sufficient to reach deeper lying tissues.

The reason for this is that a cascading effect is being put in motion, in which superficial cells will, upon radiation, emit an endogenous electromagnetic field which will reach deeper lying cells.

It has been shown scientifically that external radiation reaches much deeper in living than in death organisms, where this cascading effect does not occur.

Apart from that, theoretical calculations have shown, and this is also proven in the laboratory, that linear proteins, such as collagen in soft tissues and microtubule in nerve cells, are excellent conductors of electromagnetic waves.

Therefore, it is not necessary to use higher intensities to reach deeper lying tissues.

Living cells are sensitive to even very low irradiation intensities.

This is not a surprise since they have evolved over millions of years to use electromagnetic energy as a way of communicating with each other.

Just imagine how much better cell phones, which also communicate with EM waves, will be after such a long time of continually being improved upon.

Human cells have been shown to be sensitive to magnetic intensities in the pico-Tesla range.

This is 100,000 weaker than the magnetic field of the Earth.

When it comes to electromagnetic therapy, less is more.

Many PEMF device manufacturers will try to trick you into believing that the stronger the intensity, the better the clinical effect, but this is simply not true.

Magnetic field therapy is based on establishing resonance between the applied field and your body.

On a cellular level, the intensity of the applied field determines in part what the final effect will be.

Whereas low intensities will have a restoring effect on cellular function, higher intensities will induce cellular dysfunction and finally even induce self-programmed cell death, or apoptosis.

However, both of these responses can be desired, depending on the clinical condition of the patient.

In most health issues, cellular dysfunction is mild enough to still be resolved.

In these cases, low-intensity PEMF will stimulate DNA, RNA and protein functions which will rebalance the functioning of the cell.

Several molecules have been shown to mediate this response and an array of important molecular pathways have been revealed to play a crucial role.

Ensuing cellular proliferation will lead to the healing of wounds, bone fractures, cartilage defects and muscle regeneration.

However, in many cases, even when no clinical symptoms are present, there is still a certain degree of cellular dysfunction which, in the long run, can lead to disease.

By using a PEMF MAT device on a regular basis you can deal with these problems before they get the chance of manifesting themselves clinically.

 

PEMF and Cancer

 

However, sometimes a disease has progressed too far to be resolved in this way.

In these cases, cellular dysfunction is too severe to be restored.

An example is malignant cancer, in which cells have gone rogue and are beyond the prospect of ever getting back in line.

Luckily, our bodies have an intrinsic safety mechanism which we can exploit here.

This mechanism is called apoptosis, or self-programmed cell death.

It is a way of killing unhealthy cells in a safe and contained way to protect healthy surrounding cells.

This process can be induced by overloading the cellular electromagnetic communication lines with an excessive amount of external electromagnetic radiation.

So, low radiation intensities will restore cellular function, whereas higher intensities will induce cell death.

Luckily, the threshold above which apoptosis occurs is lower for malignant tumor cells than for cells that are healthy or only slightly dysfunctional.

This has been proven scientifically.

This means that there is a certain window of intensity in which programmed cell death will be induced in malignant cells, but in which the intensity is still low enough to not adversely affect surrounding healthy cells.

Nowadays, there are several high-power pulsed electromagnetic field devices on the market which exploit exactly this strategy, such as PMT120 and PAP IMI.

 

PEMFs and Magnets: What’s the Difference

 

It is crucial to clearly differentiate between stationary magnets on one hand and pulsed electromagnetic fields on the other hand.

Magnets have stationary electromagnetic fields.

Although these can sometimes have beneficial effects on both human and animal bodies, these are limited both in nature and in strength.

Stationary magnetic fields will not penetrate tissues as deep as pulsed fields.

Also, they will not affect the entire body but rather only a small part of it.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields are very different.

Their strength varies over time, in pulses of a definite length.

They are dynamic, rather than static.

It is these types of EM waves that cells use to function and to communicate with one another, so logically these will be more effective than stationary waves in influencing living cells and tissues.

To answer the question “how does PEMF work”, we can metaphorically say that, by using external pulsed electromagnetic fields you’re effectively communicating with the cells of your body in a language they understand.

Conversely, static fields, as those found in and around stationary magnets, speak a language that in most cases is not understandable for your cells.

As explained in the previous paragraph, our cells have evolved over a long period of time to be very sensitive to low intensities of pulsed electromagnetic waves.

Several organic structures, such as elongated proteins, are capable of conducting them from one end to the other.

Also, there is a cascading effect that is put into motion when cells are exposed to the irradiation of PEMF MAT devices.

As a result of this, they will emit similar signals to be absorbed by neighboring cells, who will, in their turn, do the same.

These 2 phenomena explain how PEMF’s of a very low power are still capable of reaching and influencing tissues that are lying too deep to effectively be reached with static magnetic fields.

Lastly, is seems that cells seem to become acclimated to static magnetic fields.

The longer and the more they are exposed, the less they seem to react to them.

So even though static magnetic fields can be used in a therapeutic context, it will be much harder to accomplish good results.

They can only be effective on superficially located cells and will only affect a small part of the body.

They can only be of any use in very specific situations and a skilled practitioner is needed who has a very thorough understanding of these conditions.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields, on the other hand, are capable of reaching deeper lying tissues at low power values.

They treat the entire body and induce a higher level of integration in the functioning of separate parts.

By speaking the language that cells understand, more effective and more specific outcomes can be achieved.

There is no indication that cells become accustomed to PEMF’s.

They stay sensitive to their effects.

 

Health Benefits of PEMF Therapy

 

There are many health benefits of pulsed magnetic therapy.

This is easy to understand if you realize that different electromagnetic fields are being used by your body to function properly.

By using the correct values for the radiation parameters, different health issues can be dealt with.

In essence, cellular dysfunction is being restored.(1)

In essence, proper DNA, RNA, and protein functions are being stimulated.

Ensuing cellular proliferation can be beneficial in many different cases.

The most obvious examples are injuries, such as the healing of wounds.(2)

By stimulating cell proliferation, wounds can heal more easily.

The same is true for injuries of other tissues.

In the case of fractures, bone formation can be induced.(3)

In the USA, pulsed magnetic therapy has been approved by the FDA since 1979 for the treatment of non-union bone fractures.

In the case of for example osteochondrosis, the formation of cartilage can be facilitated.

Since 1996, PEMF has been approved by the FDA for the therapeutic use of muscle regeneration.(4)

The EU has accepted the use of PEMF therapy to aid in recovery from degeneration and trauma and treat a range of motion issues.

Electromagnetic radiation can also be used to modulate the immune system.(5)

The most obvious application of this is decreasing inflammation.

It can decrease pain, tissue swelling, and platelet adhesion.

PEMF can also improve sleep quality and decrease stress, which is why Israel approved its use to combat depression and anxiety and help with urinary incontinence.(6)

PEMF MAT devices can also have a positive effect on the circulation of blood and normalize the blood pressure.(7)

Disturbed circulation in the brain is the root cause of migraine headaches, so PEMF can also be useful for migraine patients.(8)

In combination with improving blood circulation, electromagnetic pulses can improve the oxygenation of tissues and stimulate the uptake of nutrients.

Better drainage of toxins leads to overall better cellular detoxification.

PEMF has a positive effect on cholesterol levels.

It induces muscle relaxation and will lead to a higher overall energy level.

On the other hand, higher irradiation intensities can be used.

These will induce programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis, in dysfunctional cells.

This can be desired in diseases where certain cells are beyond the scope of being healed.

The most obvious examples are malignant tumors, in which cells proliferate uncontrollably.

PEMF can help facilitate healing by inducing cell death in a proportion of these malignant cells.

 

Precaution

 

As I have explained in previous paragraphs, the parameters of the radiation that is applied are extremely important.

A low intensity, for example, can induce cell proliferation, and growth of tissues, whereas, on the other hand, high intensities can lead to apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death.

Depending on the condition of the patient, a radiation treatment with specific parameters could have a positive, a neutral or even a negative effect.

Treating a wound, for example, requires a low intensity to get the desired effect.

Applying high intensities, on the other hand, would cause the opposite effect and disturb proper healing.

These high intensities of the correct wavelength, however, could be exactly what is needed to control excessive cell growth in malignant tumors.

More and more evidence is also mounting that immersing yourself in electromagnetic radiation, which is common nowadays due to the abundance of wireless electronic devices, can have detrimental health effects.

This is not surprising, given the findings that our cells communicate with each other and with the Earth through EM signals of a low intensity.

When our body is being surrounded by electromagnetic pollution of high intensity and wide-ranging frequency, our cells literally can’t hear each other anymore.

This EM smog is produced by, for example, electrical wires, cell phones and cell phone towers, microwaves, wireless routers, and computers.

Since cellular communication through radiation has only relatively recently begun to be recognized by our society at large, these devices were designed not taking into account the sensitivity of our body to their emissions.

Some people are more sensitive than others, even to the extent that they have to move to zones that are completely void of man-made electronic devices.

However, all of us possess this sensitivity to a certain degree.

So it can be very useful indeed to keep this in mind and adapt our behavior: for example, do not sleep with your cell phone close to you, turn off your wireless router, do not buy a house in close proximity off a communication tower.

The regular use of PEMF systems can help restore healthy cellular communication and thus decrease the negative effects of the surrounding EM smog.

Most PEMF machines have been carefully designed with these precautions in mind and are therefore safe.

The values of the physical parameters of the electromagnetic field they emit have been selected to guarantee maximal safety.

Only frequencies in the lowest range, which have been proven to be safe, are being used.

Intensities are kept low enough as to only have positive, restoring effects on cells.

Even the power of high-power PEMF devices, which are used to treat malignant tumors, is kept within the window in which cell death is only induced in malignant cells whereas healthy cells are not being negatively impacted.

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, electromagnetic pulse therapy is a very good way to help maintain your good health.

PEMF systems work by sending out electromagnetic radiation to your body to rebalance cell dysfunction.

Because your cells and your body in its totality naturally emit and absorb EM energy as a part of their normal functioning, PEMF is targeting the root causes of health problems, rather than masquing superficial symptoms while the underlying problems keep slumbering on.

This radiation is being emitted by all components of your body, ranging from molecules, such as proteins and DNA, to cells, organs, and the entire body.

Electromagnetic radiation is defined by a number of parameters, including frequency, intensity, and pulsation.

The values of these parameters play a vital role in the effects that PEMF will induce in our bodies.

PEMF devices emit low frequencies, which are proven by NASA to be the most effective.

This range of frequencies is the same as that of your brain waves, and of the natural frequency with which the Earth vibrates, also known as the Schumann frequency.

By using these frequencies, PEMF is a holistic way of restoring health, in which the different parts of your body are effectively integrated into a properly functioning whole.

The frequency that is being used by a PEMF device should be determined based on the desired effect, which will vary according to the time of day.

Corresponding to the frequencies that both our bodies and the Earth emit in the morning, frequencies from 15 to 30 cycles per second should be used to induce an alert state of mind.

On the other hand, in the evening, it is better to employ lower frequencies to relax our minds and bodies.

The intensity of the pulsed electromagnetic field should be kept low to stimulate cellular functions.

Since our bodies have evolved to use EM waves to communicate, even deeper lying tissues can be used with these lower frequencies.

On the other hand, higher frequencies, within a certain window, can be used to induce cell death in malignant cancer cells without negatively affecting healthy neighboring cells.

In contrast with static magnets, in PEMF the electromagnetic fields are pulsed.

This is more in line with the way our cells naturally use EM waves, and therefore this form of therapy is easier to use and is more effective.

Over 2000 studies have shown that PEMF can be a very useful therapy in a range of different conditions.

It can facilitate healing of wounds, bones, cartilage, muscles and nerves, and improve blood circulation.

It can reduce inflammation and pain, anxiety and stress and have a positive effect on our sleeping quality.

High-powered PEMF machines can even be used to help combat malignant tumors.

However, since PEMF restores cellular function directly, it can be useful in restoring health even before clinical symptoms are noticeable.

When PEMF products are used correctly, PEMF therapy side effects are virtually non-existent.

It is clear that electromagnetic pulse therapy can be an extremely promising tool to improve our health.