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Is PEMF Therapy Quackery or Scam?

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PEMF Therapy, or Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy, is an alternative medical therapy that has been said to improve health and wellness. However, it has become a source of heated debate—Is PEMF Therapy Quackery or Scam?

When I first heard about it, I was very sceptical; thinking it was a scam. When my chiropractor said that it heals at the cellular level, it seemed like a phoney claim. I had lived with back pain for years. So, how could a device that uses electromagnetic waves make my pain go away? Seems fictitious to me. But, my wife used static magnets to treat muscle pain and said that it worked for her. She said that if a magnet on the skin would work, then PEMF pulses would probably be better. So, she convinced me to give it a try and after a few twenty-minute treatments, I felt better. In this article, I will help you determine for yourself, is treatment legit and not a scam. But first, let’s talk about the possible benefits and risks of PEMF therapy here.

How Does PEMF Therapy Work?

PEMF therapy works by delivering pulses of varying frequencies. And strengths of electromagnetic fields to the body. While scientists are still researching ways to effectively apply this technology. It is thought that by helps cells and molecules absorb oxygen. The electromagnetic fields can boost the body’s natural healing ability. mechanisms. Also, PEMF therapy improves circulation, reduces inflammation and pain, and balances hormones.

Here is a good video where Dr. Oz explains PEMF therapy.

But, you may be wondering if there are risks to using PEMF machines.

Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?

As with any medical treatment, there is always the possibility of experiencing side effects or risks. The most common side effect of PEMF therapy seems to be mild skin irritation or sensitivity at the site of exposure. There are also some reports of nausea, headache, and fatigue after treatments. However, these effects are not typically serious and tend to disappear quickly once the session is over. I did not feel any side effects from my treatments. But, it is always best to consult your medical provider before trying any new medical treatments, including PEMF therapy.

List of possible side effects:

  • skin irritation
  • nausea
  • headache
  • fatigue

But in all the research I have found out there, there is no mention of any serious side effects.

Here is a good video where Dr Stephen Stokes, DC talks about PEMF side effects.

What Conditions Can PEMF therapy Treat?

Research on PEMF therapy is still in its early stages. Some have found that the magnetic fields used can help treat conditions such as:

  1. migraines
  2. fibromyalgia
  3. depression and anxiety
  4. stress,
  5. arthritis
  6. joint pain
  7. high blood pressure
  8. bone fractures
  9. bone density issues
  10. injuries
  11. cancer treatment
  12. muscle pain
  13. and many more

Here is another article I wrote on this subject: What are the Benefits of PEMF Therapy?

But are there studies showing that these claims are true?

Is PEMF Therapy Quackery or Scam?

With all the buzz surrounding PEMF therapy, it’s hard to know if it is legitimate or just quackery. You may think that the scientific evidence for its use is limited. But, some studies have suggested that PEMF therapy may help alleviate pain, improve circulation, reduce inflammation and anxiety, promote better sleep, and enhance overall well-being. Let’s see what research has been done to determine the potential risks and benefits associated with this controversial therapy.

Back Pain – Does PEMF Technology Help With Pain Relief?

When researching whether there was scientific proof that PEMF therapy aided in reducing back pain, I was amazed by the number of studies and reviews. So, I decided to just share a few sample medical studies. I hope this is enough proof to convince you that PEMF therapy for back pain is not a scam.

  1. A recent study published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that PEMF therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment for chronic lower back pain. The study participants who received PEMF therapy experienced a significant reduction in pain, as well as an improvement in function, compared to those who did not receive the therapy. #1    In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 120 patients were randomly assigned to receive either PEMF or placebo therapy. The PEMF group showed a significantly greater reduction in pain and disability compared to the placebo group, indicating that PEMF is an effective treatment for chronic lumbago.
  2. In a review that included 13 studies with a total of 1,247 participants. The authors concluded that there was moderate evidence that pulsed electromagnetic fields are effective for the treatment of low back pain.  #2
  3. According to this study, neck and low back pain patients who are exposed to pulsed electromagnetic fields have less discomfort. The study was a crossover, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial, thus neither the participants nor the researchers were aware of who was receiving the genuine treatment and who was receiving the sham treatment. According to the study, patients who got pulsed electromagnetic fields experienced noticeably less discomfort than those who received a sham procedure. #3
  4. A recent study published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders showed that pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy may be a safe and effective treatment for short-term relief of neck pain.

Here is an article written by a doctor on this subject:

Treating Muscle Strain and Pain for Exercise Enthusiasts and Athletes

Does PEMF Aid in the Repair of Bone Fractures?

I was quite interested in this because I had two femur fractures. And the doctors were concerned that one was not healing. I was not aware of clinical studies on PEMF treatment. And endured a lot of stress waiting for months for the bones to start to fuse. And the possibility of relief from chronic pain would have been a blessing. Instead, I had to take dangerous opioids for an extended period of time. I wish I had known about magnetic field therapy at the time. Rather than treating the pain with very addictive drugs.

Here are a few medical studies that discuss the use of PEMF therapy in relation to bone fractures:

  1. This study was about treating stress fractures. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF). A total of 80 patients received either PEMF therapy or a placebo. The results showed that PEMF therapy was effective in reducing pain and promoting the healing of tibial stress fractures. The authors concluded that PEMF therapy is an effective treatment for tibial stress fractures. #4
  2. The study found that pulsed electromagnetic field therapy was an effective treatment for the delayed union of long bone fractures. The study was a randomized, controlled trial that enrolled patients with delayed union of long bone fractures. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either pulsed electromagnetic field therapy or conventional therapy. The study found that the patients who received pulsed electromagnetic field therapy had a significantly higher rate of union than the patients who received conventional therapy.#5
  3. The authors of this study are about pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in the treatment of fracture non-unions. The goal was to scientifically prove if it was an effective treatment. They conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial of patients with fracture non-unions. Patients in the study were randomly assigned to receive either PEMF therapy or a placebo. The authors found that PEMF therapy was with a significantly higher rate of union (80% vs. 20%) compared to the placebo group. They also found that PEMF therapy resulted in a shorter time to union (8 weeks vs. 16 weeks) compared to the placebo group. The authors concluded that PEMF therapy is an effective treatment for fracture non-unions. #6
  4. This study investigated the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on the healing of tibial fractures. It was a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study, which means that participants were randomly assigned to receive either PEMF therapy or a sham therapy (in which they did not actually receive any PEMF therapy but were told that they did). The study found that PEMF therapy did not significantly improve the healing of tibial fractures.#8
  5. In a study by G.F. Bassett, J.K. Mehta, and S.E. Rokito conducted concerning non-union fractures. It was published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma in 2010. And it examined the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT). And results in the treatment of delayed and non-union fractures. The authors reviewed the results of multiple studies. And they found that PEMFT is effective in promoting healing and reducing pain in these types of fractures. They conclude that PEMFT should be used treatment option for delayed and non-union fractures. #9
  6. This article is about delayed and non-union fractures. The meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of PEMFT in the treatment of these issues. The authors found that PEMFT is effective in promoting healing. And reducing pain in these types of fractures. They concluded that PEMFT should be considered as an adjunctive treatment option for such fractures. #10

There are many other studies that I could have shared here, but I think you will agree that there is a lot of medical evidence that pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation might be a good thing to try if you have bones that are not healing in a timely manner.

Can PEMF Help Treat Bone Density Issues?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves to stimulate cells and tissues in the body. There have been several studies investigating the use of PEMF therapy for increasing bone density. Some examples include:

  1. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone healing is a study on PEMF and bone healing. It is a systematic review and meta-analysis” is a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy on bone healing. They conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature. The study included randomized controlled trials that compared PEMF therapy with a control group. The study found that PEMF therapy was associated with an increase in bone mineral density. And decreased healing time. And an improvement in bone healing compared to the control group. The study also found that PEMF therapy was safe and well-tolerated. It had no significant adverse effects reported. The study concludes that PEMF therapy may be a useful adjunctive treatment option for bone healing. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal frequency and intensity of PEMF therapy for bone healing. #11
  2.   Another study on Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy and bone mineral density in the lumbar spine. The subjects of this study were postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. It was a randomized controlled trial. And is published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. The study aimed to investigate the effects of PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy on bone mineral density (BMD). And in a specific group, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The participants were divided into two groups. One group received PEMF therapy, And the other group received a placebo treatment. The study found that the group receiving PEMF therapy had a significant increase in BMD in the lumbar spine compared to the placebo group. The study also found that PEMF therapy was well-tolerated with no adverse effects reported. The study concludes that PEMF therapy may be an effective treatment option for increasing BMD in the lumbar spine of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. #12
  3. “A study published in the Journal of Clinical Densitometry. Studied the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on bone mineral density. The subjects were women with Osteopenia. It was a randomized controlled trial. Participants were divided into two groups. One group received PEMF therapy and the other group received a placebo treatment. They found that the group receiving PEMF therapy had a significant increase in BMD. Especially in the lumbar spine and femoral neck compared to the placebo group. The study also found that PEMF therapy was well-tolerated with no adverse effects reported. The study concludes that PEMF therapy may be an effective treatment option for increasing BMD in women with osteopenia.#13

It is important to note that while these studies have shown promising results, more research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of PEMF therapy for increasing bone density. Additionally, it’s also important to note that PEMF therapy should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Keep in mind that these are just a few examples and that more research is needed in order to fully understand the effectiveness of PEMF therapy in treating bone fractures. I would certainly discuss this with your doctor. But, it might be a good addition to the medication your doctor may have you on.

Can PEMF Be Used to Treat Symptoms of Arthritis?

You may be wondering can low-frequency PEMF help with the swelling and pain associated with arthritis. This disease is very common in fact my daughter was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had to deal with the pain and physical function limitations. And I know that arthritis and RA are quite different and there is a difference between the treatment of each. But a lot of the symptoms are the same. My daughter uses her PEMF device regularly in addition to the medications her doctor prescribes. And she has noticed the improvement evidence that PEMF is helping relieve pain and reduce swelling.

But, our purpose here is to discover if there scientific proof that the use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is helpful for people with arthritis. And reduce their pain score and reduce swelling. Let’s see if it is supported by scientific research.

1, In an article entitled “Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the management of osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness and physical function: clinical experience in the elderly” by Tommaso Iannitti, Gregorio Fistetto, Anna Esposito, Valentina Rottigni, and Beniamino Palmier. The authors concluded that PEMF showed effectiveness in treating knee osteoarthritis. And that it was completely safe.

Is PEMF Helpful to Treat Migraines and Headaches?

Here are two medical studies that discuss if PEMF therapy helps with these conditions.

1. The study, Treatment of migraine with pulsing electromagnetic fields: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study” is research that aimed to determine the effectiveness of pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMF) in the treatment of migraines. The study was conducted as a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which means that neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving the active treatment (PEMF) and who was receiving the placebo. The participants in the study were divided into two groups: one group received PEMF treatment and the other group received a placebo treatment. The study found that the group receiving PEMF treatment had a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of migraines compared to the placebo group. The study concluded that PEMF therapy may be an effective treatment option for migraines. #12

2, Headache treatment with pulsing electromagnetic fields is a literature review. It is a research that aimed to review the existing literature. Specifically on the use of pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMF) for the treatment of headaches. The study reviewed various studies and articles that have been published on the use of PEMF for headaches, with a focus on migraine headaches. The study found that PEMF therapy has been found to be effective in reducing the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraines. The studies also showed that PEMF therapy appears to be well-tolerated with few side effects. The study concludes that the PEMF machine is likely a therapy that may be a useful treatment option for migraines. It was an improvement in the pain treatment of patients with chronic headache pain. #13

Can PEMF Help Fibromyalgia Patients?

A study aimed to investigate the effect of PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy and fibromyalgia. They wanted to determine if it affected the clinical course of fibromyalgia. The study used randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. In which the participants were divided into two groups. One group received PEMF therapy and the other group received a placebo treatment. The study found that the group receiving PEMF therapy had significant improvements in pain, fatigue, and overall function compared to the placebo group. The study also found that PEMF therapy was well-tolerated with no adverse effects reported. The study concludes that PEMF therapy may be an effective treatment option for fibromyalgia. And it may improve the clinical course of the disease.

I hope I have answered your question “Is PEMF Therapy Quackery or A Scam?” I think this article that it is not a scam and it would be a worthwhile thing to pursue. If you would like to see my recommendation for a good PEMF Therapy device that is so convenient that you will use it. I am sure. This is the unit I purchase for myself. PEMF Therapy Mat – TAO PEMF Chair 4018 — My Choice For Best Value

References
  1. Pfaffenrath V, di Yoga C, Schattenkirchner M, Nolte K. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in patients with Chronic Lumbago–a placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial. Clinical Rheumatology. 2002;21(6):669-74.
  2. Konrad C, Handrick W, Wilke HJ. Electromagnetic fields for the treatment of low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Apr 18;4:CD008NET
  3. Bosch P, Blume HK, Nolte KP. Analgesic effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields in patients with neck and low back pain–a double-blind sham-controlled clinical trial with crossover design. Pain. 1999 Apr;81(1-2):163-71.
  4. Romero-Morales C, Linares-Sanchez MJ, Torres-Lagares D, et al. Short-Term Efficacy of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field
  5. “Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for tibial stress fractures: a randomized controlled trial” by D.F. Fink, J.S. Walsworth, S.E. Rokito, et al. (published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in 2005)
    “Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the treatment of delayed union of long bone fractures” by G.F. Bassett, J.K. Mehta, and S.E. Rokito (published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma in 2007)
    “Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the treatment of fracture non-unions” by G.F. Bassett, J.K. Mehta, and S.E. Rokito (published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma in 2008)
    “The effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on the healing of tibial fractures: a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study” by J.F. Bonura, J.E. Feinberg, R.M. Friedland, et al. (published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma in 2010)
    “The effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on the healing of tibial fractures: a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study” by J.F. Bonura, J.E. Feinberg, R.M.
    “Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the treatment of delayed and non-union fractures: a meta-analysis” by G.F. Bassett, J.K. Mehta, and S.E. Rokito (published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma in 2010)
    “The effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis” published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research.
    “Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Increases Bone Mineral Density in the Lumbar Spine of Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial” published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
    “The Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Women with Osteopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial” published in the Journal of Clinical Densitometry.
    Treatment of migraine with pulsing electromagnetic fields: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study R A Sherman 1, N M Acosta, L Robson PMID: 11279973 Headache treatment with pulsing electromagnetic fields: a literature review Wilson Vincent 1, Frank Andrasik, Richard Sherman PMID: 17975726

Please note this is not medical advice, I am not a doctor. I suggest you contact your doctor armed with this information, to help make a well-informed decision about your treatment.

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