PEMF treatment

[joannge]

Has anyone tried PEMF treatment to regenerate bone? My chiropractor does this. Thank you, JoAnn.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Yes! I’ve not long bought myself a PEMF mat. I read this report ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... a few weeks ago, I looked for and couldn’t find anyone locally who does it so I found one at a fairly reasonable price and bought my own. I use it twice a day for 20 minutes. I’m not sure whether it will help bones to regenerate but it has definitely helped my pain and allowed me to reduce the number of painkillers I take. I sleep better too.

[joannge in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Oh, I didn't realize you could get 1 on your own. I will have to check into that. Thank you! JoAnn

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to joannge]

Yes, I’m in the U.K. though but if you can buy them here I imagine you can buy one in the US. This is the one I bought - no way of telling if it is helping my bones but it is helping with the pain. I was getting worried about the effect taking so many painkillers might have in my body and since starting to use the mat about two weeks ago I’ve been able to cut right down

newmedltd.co.uk/products/om...

pemfnews.co.uk/featured-art...

[joannge in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you! I will see if I can find one here on-line.

[Aerobics-Instructor]

I read the article Fruitandnutcase provided (thank you!) and here is the part relevant to bone healing:

The use of electrical stimulation to heal fractures has a long history. The basic principles underlying this therapy come from the observation that bone tissue has electrical properties. In fact, when bones are under compression they generate electronegative potentials, while areas of tension create electropositive potentials. These electric fields induce a reaction in bones: bone formation in electronegative regions and bone resorption in electropositive sites. Since electric fields modulate bone cell activity, the enhancement of bone formation can be achieved with electrical stimulation devices.

PEMF is an FDA approved, non-invasive tool which creates a magnetic field and a secondary electric impulse. It exerts its effects by increasing cytosolic concentration of calcium ions released by intracellular stores. This activates a series of enzyme reactions, which stimulate gene transcription of several growth factors (including BMPs and TGF-β) and some proteins such as calmodulin. The up-regulation of these physiological molecules contributes to bone cell proliferation and fracture healing.

It has been demonstrated that one of the main advantages of this physical stimulation is that it increases the production of different substances required for the physiological bone healing process. Low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPU) is another physical technique to stimulate bone cell activity. It seems to have a direct effect on ion channels, but at present a specific mechanoreceptor has not been identified (23).

[GMOI in reply to Aerobics-Instructor]

Great explanation. My Physical Therapist used a low dose electrical impulse machine that I don’t have the proper name in my memory. There was also a black box warning that she explained to me, if you have cancer or ever had cancer this is NOT the therapy for YOU! Beware if all “new and improved” treatments until you do extensive research! Yes, the electrical impulses did reduce my pain….temporarily!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to GMOI]

Although PEMF therapy is generally safe, there is one absolute contraindication. Patients with electrical implants should not use pulsed electromagnetic field therapy devices. This includes devices such as pacemakers and insulin pumps and cancers although I saw an explanation for why it’s not suitable for people with cancers - I can’t remember where but I’ll keep looking - but that it is ok once you have recovered.

The black box warnings were quite obvious before I bought my mat and I’m ok on all of those areas. PEFM is about magnetic frequencies not electrical impulses, not sure they’re quite the same thing.

[Colorpro in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you for this very clear explanation. I was wondering about the "almost safe" warning and I see that it must apply to pacemakers.

One point to consider (and fact check me if you feel more comfortable) is that in order to reach bone, the frequency needs to be substantial. When I relocate the source of this information, I will post it. All the best.

[joannge in reply to Aerobics-Instructor]

Thank you for your information!

[joannge in reply to Aerobics-Instructor]

Thank you!

[Reese4]

I've spent the morning doing my research and I'm convinced to give it a try. It's available at Amazon if that interests you. They provide Prime free shipping and returns. I'd like to order the more complete package but it's not available through Prime.

[joannge in reply to Reese4]

I will check it out, thank you!

[hcarterva]

I bought a Bemer (same thing) and love it. I even got a license to distribute as health benefits all around are good. That said, who knows if any of it really works. Certainly better circulation can't hurt. Yell if you want a Bemer.

Article about therapy. betterbones.com/fractures-a...

[joannge]

Thanks for the info!

[Reese4]

Hi again! Well, I've been using my PEMF mat for about 3 weeks now and I'm impressed. No miracles but there is some pain relief after use and I've noticed an increase in energy. While I do think it helps with sleep through relaxation I caution against using it in the evening because of the energy increase. A conundrum indeed.

I use it twice a day for 20 minutes around 10:00am and 3:00pm. Time will tell if there's any actual improvement.

[joannge in reply to Reese4]

Thanks for the update!