Researchers have been looking at PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for years. The findings so far are early.
MS is a neurological disorder. Patients with MS will experience both chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration. As this disease is a lifelong progressive condition. Patients will benefit hugely from therapies that can enhance their quality of life. This article looks at what researchers have studied so far on PEMF and MS symptoms.
Find out more about how FlexPulse PEMF systems work.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. This disease can often be disabling for the patient. As it can affect their quality of life. Multiple Sclerosis appears in two forms. These two forms are either relapsing/remitting or progressive stages. Both of these forms of MS are similar to each other and overlap significantly.
MS can cause extensive damage to cells across the whole body of the patient. Some of this damage includes brain tissue scarring, chronic inflammation, and demyelination. As this disease is a neurodegenerative illness, it acts by deteriorating the nerve cells. Patients with MS will also have a dysfunctional immune system.
Predominately, the inflammation of MS can cause demyelination. This is relative for during the relapsing/remitting stage. For the progressive stages, there is extensive damage occurring to the brain nerve cells. At the same time as inflammation.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
One of the key things to remember about MS is that the symptoms can vary from patient to patient. As the disease is progressive, the patient’s symptoms may also change and worsen over time. A great advancement in medical technology for patients with MS was the creation of MRI scans. MRI scans have enabled us to find out that lesions can occur within grey matter, as well as white matter. As a result, this can lead to some neurological symptoms.
Other symptoms of MS can include vision issues, bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience gait problems, paresthesia, vertigo, depression, pain, and cognitive dysfunction.
Some of the less common symptoms include headaches, seizures, incoordination, hearing loss, and speech and swallowing issues.
What Research Has Looked At
People with MS often ask whether PEMF affects symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Cognitive Function
- Mood
One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 117 people with MS found small improvements in fatigue and overall quality of life with a portable PEMF device. The authors said the effects were small and needed to be confirmed in further studies.
PEMF is not a substitute for medical care. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and an overall healthy lifestyle remain important, and any change to your care plan should be discussed with your doctor.
The Takeaway
MS is a lifelong chronic condition that progresses over time. Researchers have studied PEMF in people with MS, but the findings are early. If you have MS, talk to your doctor before adding PEMF to your routine.
Read more about PEMF on our blog: FlexPulse Blog
