Let’s be honest; pain is something that absolutely no one enjoys. Pain can vary from minor, uncomfortable backaches to debilitating arthritis that can leave us bedridden. Even at its most minor level, pain can be a nuisance.
There are a handful of ways to reduce your pain. You can take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, painkillers such as Oxycodone, or pain cream, but these are temporary solutions that can often lead to dependence. You can also do basic exercises or visit a physical therapist or masseuse, but these can take time and effort. So, what if I told you there was an easy, effective, and practical solution that can heal your pain from home?
Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, this is one of the few examples of something that isn’t too good to be true; it’s called PEMF.
PEMF therapy, or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, is a form of therapy that uses magnetic waves to ease away pain inside the body. So, how does PEMF reduce pain? By the end of this post, you’ll have the answer to that question as well as a solid understanding of how this effective therapy works and what it can treat.
The first step to understanding how PEMF reduces pain is by actually knowing how this therapy works. So, let’s get into it!
What Is PEMF Therapy?
PEMF therapy is an advanced magnetic therapy that emits fields of magnetic energy through the body to heal cells and reduce pain, among other things. Magnetic forms of therapy have been around since ancient times, but a lot has changed since then with this therapy. For example, older forms of magnetic therapy (which are still used today to a certain degree) used static magnets that simply rest against the skin to provide magnetic healing.
PEMF is a form of electromagnetic therapy. This kind of magnetic therapy uses electricity to produce magnetic waves. Electromagnetic therapy has been proven to be far more effective than static magnetic therapy and is used to heal more complicated health issues. For example, the FDA has approved PEMF therapy for healing nonunion fractures and to reduce symptoms of depression.
Practically all PEMF devices use coils that allow electric currents to pass through. When electricity is applied to the coils, they generate a magnetic wave; when the electricity is turned off, the magnetic field dissipates. This allows users to control when the therapy device is on and off. Some PEMF devices even allow the user to control the frequency of the magnetic wave, its intensity, and waveform.
What Kind of Pain Can PEMF Reduce?
People can experience a variety of pain, both physical and mental. Luckily, PEMF is an effective tool to reduce pain however it manifests itself. Some of the types of pain PEMF can alleviate are:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Stress and depression
- Infections
- Injuries and wounds
Let’s take a quick look at how these types of pain work before we deal with how PEMF can reduce them.
Muscle and Joint Pain
Muscle pain can be the result of a variety of causes. Our muscles are meant to move, so when they don’t move as often as they should, they tend to become weaker. This results in pain. Overusing our muscles also causes pain, such as when we work out or exercise.
Joint pain can also result from numerous reasons. For example, when people have weaker bones, their joints tend to experience more pain. Arthritis is also a common cause of joint pain. Both of these are especially prevalent among older people, but PEMF is a great therapy to help reduce joint and arthritis pain.
Stress and Depression
Everyone experiences some level of stress and sadness. It’s just a normal part of life! But when these conditions become chronic, they can impact every part of your life. There are many forms of therapy that can reduce these kinds of emotional pain.
Even though PEMF isn’t usually the first solution that comes to mind, it is still an effective treatment to promote mental health!
Infections
Infections cause illness and disease by invading parts of the body through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign agents. Obviously, illness and disease can inflict a considerable amount of pain on a person and their body.
PEMF therapy is an effective tool for preventing the spread of infection in the body and reducing the pain associated with it, but we will get into more detail about this in the next section.
Injuries and Wounds
Injuring the body can happen to anyone, and then the pain associated with it is usually unpleasant at best.
PEMF is a great way to not only heal the body more effectively but also heal the body faster, too.
How Does PEMF Reduce Pain?
So how does all of this help reduce pain? This is one of the most common questions people ask when they research PEMF therapy.
There are actually quite a few ways that PEMF reduces pain, but the main way that it does this is by healing and recharging our body at a cellular level.
Healing Cells
Each of the trillions of cells within our body has its own magnetic charge. As time goes on, our cells become weaker and with that, their magnetic charge becomes weaker too. The magnetic charge of our cells affects how permeable our cells’ membranes are. The permeability of the membrane influences how much nutrients is able to pass into the cell and how much waste can be released. The bottom line: when our cells can’t get enough nutrients and can’t get rid of waste, they don’t have sufficient energy to function efficiently.
PEMF therapy can recharge our cells; that is, they restore the magnetic charge of cells back to their natural state. Cells are then able to get the energy they need from nutrients and expel unwanted waste. This has profound effects on our whole body. When our cells are healthy, our tissue and organs can function at their best level. This means that our bodies can effectively and efficiently deal with muscle and joint pain.
Improved Circulation
PEMF therapy is also able to improve circulation throughout our body. When more blood can reach areas of pain, our body is more effectively able to ease away tension. This also allows more blood to reach parts of the brain. When brain circulation is improved, we can be more energized, be in a better mood, and reduce negative thoughts in our heads.
Enhanced blood flow also means that more white blood cells can circulate throughout our body. If you don’t remember your middle school biology class, white blood cells are an essential part of the immune system. So, when our white blood cells are better able to function, our body can more efficiently fight against infections.
Another advantage enhanced circulation offers is better and faster wound healing. This is because when we suffer from an injury and start bleeding, platelets rush to the scene and start clumping together to stop blood from escaping. If our circulatory system isn’t performing at 100%, this may take some time and the wound might become more serious. When we use PEMF to enhance our blood flow, platelets can reach wounded and cut areas faster to initiate the healing process more effectively.
Common Questions People Have About PEMF Therapy
Now that we’ve addressed the question “how does PEMF reduce pain?”, we can take a look at some other common questions about PEMF therapy.
“What does PEMF feel like?”
PEMF therapy in low frequencies and intensities feels pretty much like nothing is happening to your body. That is why some people don’t think it is working when they first use it. But be assured, it is definitely working!
The majority of people who treat themselves to PEMF therapy don’t experience any kind of side effects or discomfort. However, some do experience some level of discomfort when using magnetic therapy, though there are very few who do.
For example, some people may get headaches, especially for those with electromagnetic sensitivity. If you do experience any level of pain, you should contact the manufacturer of your product and speak with a medical professional.
Some PEMF devices also use heat therapy and far infrared therapy. These can cause dehydration if not used properly. If you are using these devices, be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your treatment session, and don’t use them at high temperatures for too long!
Who Should Avoid Using PEMF Therapy?
There are a few circumstances and conditions in which users should avoid using PEMF devices. The main category is for those who have a pacemaker. This is because the magnetic waves can interfere with these devices. Also, if you have any kind of metal implants, ask your doctor before using PEMF. It typically doesn’t affect implants, but it is always smart to double-check with a professional.
It is also advised that those who are pregnant should avoid using PEMF devices. Like those with metal implants, it is not conclusive that PEMF directly affects those who are pregnant, but it is always better to be safe.
Final Thoughts: Why Choose PEMF to Reduce Pain?
I hope this blog post has given you a lot of helpful information on PEMF therapy and has answered the question “how does PEMF reduce pain?”
PEMF is a great therapeutic solution to reduce pain because it is an effective, convenient, and practical solution. It is also a natural form of therapy that doesn’t create the kind of physical dependence you’d find with NSAIDs and prescription medications. Some PEMF devices use heated gemstones and other therapies to heal your body and relax you at the same time.
So, stop pain from holding you back with PEMF therapy!