More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
What Is PEMF Therapy? Part Two
Part 2
PEMF is the acronym for Pulsating Electro-Magnetic Fields. It has been referred to as the “fifth element of health.” The earth produces an electromagnetic field (EMF), which is vital for life on our planet. Earth's EMF protects us from the Sun' harmful radiation. Every living thing on planet earth requires air, water, oxygen and light to live, to thrive; however, none of these elements together or alone can bring our cells to life or enable our cells to repair and recharge themselves.
Every organ in your body is comprised of its own unique set of cells, which numbers in the hundreds of millions. When our cells, in any organ, lose their ability to duplicate, separate, repair and recharge themselves, which can be caused by numerous external factors, we become ill. And every illness is the direct result of damaged, undercharged, unhealthy cells incapable of repairing themselves. Damaged cells in specific organs produce specific illnesses; i.e. diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, dementia, cancer, etc.
Modern technology has provided doctors with various machines that operate on a form of electromagnetism, such as MRI's, CT scans, X-rays. These imaging devices have made it possible for doctors to “see” images of damaged tissue, which is made up of millions of both healthy and unhealthy cells. From these images specialists are then able to devise a treatment plan that can entail treating the symptom with prescribed drugs or removing the damaged tissue to prevent the spread of unhealthy cells (illness) to the healthy cells (tissue). Breast cancer is the perfect example of this unhealthy, damaged cells process.
For years orthopedic surgeons have used PEMF technology in repairing non-union bone fractures and wound care specialists are using PEMF to reverse Stage III and IV wound problems. Some practitioners are even using this “unknown” alternative PEMF as a solution to relieving pain. Studies have shown that exposure to PEMF has been shown to produce analgesic effects. In a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled 2007 clinical trial, patients with either chronic generalized pain from fibromyalgia (FM) or chronic localized musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain were exposed to a PEMF (400 ?T) through a portable device fitted to their head during twice-daily 40 minute treatments over seven days. A differential effect of PEMF over sham treatment was noticed in patients with FM, which approached statistical significance despite a low number of subjects; this effect was not evident in those without FM.
PEMF may be a novel, safe and effective therapeutic tool for use in at least certain subsets of patients with chronic, nonmalignant pain. Clearly, however, a larger randomized, double-blind clinical trial with just FM patients is warranted.
