MRI uses magnetic resonance to produce images of the body; PEMF therapy utilizes magnetic fields as well, but instead delivers pulses of energy which help improve circulation, decrease inflammation and promote healing.
This technology, available for licensing, comprises a sleeve that covers the injured appendage and an external compact commercially available generator connected to its wound coil within. Together these create an oscillating electromagnetic field.
What is PEMF Therapy?
PEMF therapy is a noninvasive therapeutic technique that utilizes magnetic fields to stimulate cells and organ systems to increase their functionality and healing, by filtering out disharmonic vibrations that interfere with healthful communication between cells, amplifying harmonic frequencies that promote optimal cellular communication, and amplifying healthy frequencies that promote overall wellness.
PEMF effects on cell proliferation vary depending on several parameters such as frequency, duration and target tissue type. Keratinocytes exposed to 50Hz PEMF at 1 hour for instance showed increased proliferation, while exposed at the same frequency and duration experienced an inhibition in growth. Different cell types respond differently due to PEMF exposure because specific frequencies trigger different signalling pathways within cells which affects how they grow in response.
PEMF therapy has long been recognized for its ability to reduce inflammation in the body, stimulating bone formation and preventing loss, increasing blood flow, and decreasing muscle spasms. Furthermore, studies have confirmed its efficacy at treating pain associated with repetitive stress injuries and speeding recovery times from injuries sustained through repetitive stressors.
Clinical trial data indicated that patients suffering from chronic low back pain experienced significant relief after only three PEMF sessions and reported reduced symptoms. Costa et al (2017) conducted another study showcasing PEMF therapy’s beneficial effects in 41 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma; treatment reduced tumor progression while relieving pain for these individuals.
PEMFs can significantly influence bone growth by encouraging mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts and by modulating endogenous cell mechanisms like RANKL/OPG and Wnt/-catenin signaling, both of which help prevent complex fractures often associated with complications like infections and non-unions. They may also help accelerate healing in fractures with limited local blood supply thereby shortening hospital stays, increasing patient satisfaction and ultimately decreasing healthcare provider costs while significantly improving quality of life for individuals living with chronic injuries like osteoporosis.
What is TENS Therapy?
Conventional TENS therapy works by placing two electrodes over an area of discomfort and stimulating nerve fibers that run along your skin, stimulating nerve endings to release natural painkilling chemicals called endorphins – and with regular usage this process may even train your brain and nervous system to perceive less discomfort over time.
TENS works by stimulating large diameter, low threshold afferent fibers with non-noxious impulses to the central nervous system (Fig 2a). TENS impulses also inhibit activity from second order nociceptive transmission neurons and cause their excitability to decrease; this decrease in central excitability is thought to be related to an increase in descending inhibitory pathways that block glutamate release and glial cell activation [1,3]. [1-3]
TENS therapy has long been recognized for stimulating your body’s natural painkillers while simultaneously relieving inflammation and spasms in muscles. Multiple studies have proven its efficacy for both acute and chronic pain conditions.[4,6]
Uncertainty surrounding TENS limits its usage in clinical practice, particularly early research which was limited by an inability to understand optimal stimulation parameters or trial design restrictions. Since then, increased knowledge about its efficacy has enabled better dosing strategies as well as new methodologies which guarantee impartial results from trials using this device.
RCTs have evaluated TENS as a treatment option for musculoskeletal pain disorders. On balance, TENS has been found to be safe when administered under medical supervision; however, pregnant women and those with pacemakers or implanted defibrillators should avoid its use as well as device usage should not exceed 30 minutes at one time.
TENS is easy and can be administered both independently at home with a portable TENS unit or through visiting your physical therapist. Some have even reported being able to reduce or discontinue pain medications altogether with TENS treatments; an important step toward better managing their condition.
What is MeRT Therapy?
MeRT Therapy is an innovative noninvasive technology that does not rely on medications for treatment, taking an individualized approach to identifying and nurturing brain patterns that are out-of-sync with one another. Combining EEG mapping and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation – which delivers precise pulses of gentle magnetic waves directly into your brain – MeRT serves as a form of brain training which restores proper communication between neural pathways to improve quality of life over time.
MeRT treatment sessions involve relaxing into a comfortable chair while being administered short bursts of electromagnetic energy lasting six to eight seconds per minute, producing a slight tapping sensation behind your head that is neither painful nor uncomfortable; many find MeRT very relaxing and peaceful. MeRT sessions typically occur every two weeks for 30 minutes each day.
Following an EEG and consultation with one of our doctors, we create a tailored treatment plan tailored specifically to your symptoms and diagnostics. Next we use a specific form of TMS tailored specifically for your EEG results; this sets MeRT apart from traditional TMS which doesn’t utilize this guidance system to address brain patterns responsible for dysfunction in a much more effective manner.
MeRT acts like the conductor warming up before an orchestra concert – getting your brain signals and pathways aligned so you can function optimally. Unlike many neurological therapies that use unproven methods, MeRT’s scientifically-backed technology produces real, lasting changes to both brain and body health.
MeRT works well alongside and complements existing therapies, with parents who have children with autism reporting that MeRT enhances their ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), speech, occupational therapy, and sensory integration therapies for their child. We have seen dramatic improvements in alpha wave activity among kids receiving MeRT treatment during and post treatment sessions.
MeRT is an emerging, cutting-edge technology with the potential to revolutionize how we view neurological disorders. As research continues, more applications will emerge for this powerful and cutting-edge treatment option.
What is PEMF Devices?
There are various PEMF devices on the market, some requiring a prescription from a physician, with some FDA-approved and others offering room for further research. They all share one thing in common, though: frequency-based PEMF therapy helps the body heal.
PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic fields) are electromagnetic energy that imitate the natural environment that the human body was designed to work in, simulating its natural rhythms to speed up cell and tissue regeneration processes. PEMF helps accelerate these regenerative processes.
Also, this treatment stimulates cell metabolism and up-regulates their natural production of energy, opening membrane channels for greater nutrition intake as well as waste disposal – all while restoring optimal balance and function to each cell.
The strength of PEMF depends on which device is being used, but is usually low enough that full-body applications are safe. Your phone, computer and WiFi networks all produce stronger electromagnetic fields that could interfere with full-body stimulation.
As with any electrical therapy device, the power of this one is measured in terms of volts and amps which, once multiplied together, give you its wattage. Wattage can then be further broken down into kilowatts, megawatts, gigawatts etc.
What really differentiates different devices is what frequencies (think of them as instructions) they transmit. The quality and efficacy of those frequencies determine how well a device will function.
Some PEMF devices provide multiple frequencies based on various clinical studies, while other models may only support one frequency. For optimal results, however, you’ll want an device with pre-set programs and settings you can easily change according to your pathology; clinical research studies are constantly evolving!
PEMF devices come in all forms, from mats for you to lie on to wraps that wrap around your body. Most are easy to use; simply turn them on and follow their on-screen instructions tailored specifically to meet your individual needs – be it headache, joint pain or an injury recovery speeding faster!
