Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy uses low-level pulses of electromagnetic waves to relieve pain and manage other symptoms.

It’s a type of complementary therapy. These are treatments that a healthcare provider may suggest along with more typical treatments.

PEMF therapy sends pulses of magnetic waves into a painful part of your body. The magnets create a safe, non-toxic electric field that might:

• Relieve pain
• Reduce inflammation
• Encourage your body’s natural healing process
• Improve circulation

Researchers are still studying PEMF therapy. Some people do feel better after using it. But there isn’t definite proof that PEMF therapy works. Some of its benefits may be a placebo effect. This is what happens when you expect a treatment to work, so you feel better, even if it’s not because of the treatment.

For example, one study found that it helped people with knee osteoarthritis feel like they could move better, even though their symptoms (like pain or stiffness) were mostly the same after the treatment. So, it’s hard to say for certain that PEMF therapy had an effect. But these individuals felt like their knees worked better.

Part of what makes it hard to prove that PEMF therapy works is that many of the symptoms it treats are subjective. There’s no perfect way to measure how much joint pain or stiffness you feel. That’s why experts are still studying it. But if it helps you feel better and your provider says it’s safe, PEMF therapy can be an option.

Your provider may suggest PEMF therapy to help manage:

• Arthritis
• Pain after an injury or trauma
• Neuropathic pain
• Healing of nonunion fractures

How does PEMF therapy work?

A PEMF therapy device is most commonly a mat that you lie on. It looks a bit like a yoga mat crossed with an electric blanket. When the mat is turned on, electromagnets embedded into it send waves of electromagnetic energy into your body. Portable PEMF devices are smaller. They’re designed to deliver PEMF therapy to a specific part of your body. They usually look like a small heating pad.

Knowing what all the words in its name mean can help you understand why proponents think pulsed electromagnetic field therapy works. The magnets pulse on and off to make waves. This creates an electromagnetic field around part of your body. That field may act like a therapy that theoretically relieves symptoms at a cellular level to help you heal.

You might do PEMF therapy at a healthcare provider’s office. There are also at-home versions of the devices that you can buy. Talk to your provider before buying a PEMF device. They’ll let you know if it’s something you should invest in. They can also help you pick one that’s best for your specific needs.

What are the potential benefits and risks of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy?

PEMF therapy may help you feel better, especially in certain situations. For example, it’s been widely studied as a way to help broken bones heal. It’s quick and easy to try. If it works for you, it can become part of your symptom management routine.

The biggest downside of PEMF therapy is that it might not have any helpful effects. Researchers haven’t been able to prove for certain that it has health benefits. And it’s possible that your insurance won’t cover it. The at-home versions of the devices can be very expensive.

PEMF therapy is safe for most people. But it’s not right for everyone. Avoid PEMF therapy if you:

• Are pregnant
• Use a medical device like an insulin pump, pacemaker or other implants
• Take medications through a patch on your skin
• Have epilepsy

Talk to a healthcare provider about your health history before starting PEMF therapy. They’ll help you find the right intensity and duration for it. Don’t buy a device or use an at-home version without talking to your provider.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Your healthcare provider will probably still suggest other treatments along with PEMF therapy. They’ll help you understand what you’ll need and any side effects or changes to watch out for.

Talk to your provider if you feel any new or worsening pain or other symptoms.