PEMF and Osteoporosis: A Research Review

Researchers have studied pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and bone, from lab work on bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) to clinical studies in people with osteoporosis. Read our research review to see what has been looked at so far.

Osteoporosis and conventional treatments

Osteoporosis is a disease that leads to an increased risk of skeletal fractures due to a reduction in the volume of bone mass. It has been more explicitly defined as a disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural degradation of bone tissue, resulting in increased bone fragility and thus increased risk of fracture^​1​.

Statistics show that there are thousands of fractures per year due to this disease. Fifty percent of these fractures are extremely debilitating spinal fractures. In those with osteoporosis, a fracture can be caused by even a minor fall or during routine activities, such as twisting and bending. More than 700,000 vertebral body compression fractures occur per year in the United States. To give you a better idea of how common this is, osteoporosis-related fractures happen every three seconds. 

Osteoporosis also seems to affect elderly women more and leads to numerous fractures in different parts of the body due to fragile bones. One in every third woman is affected, whereas only one in every fifth man is affected. Osteoporosis patients often experience pain and loss of mobility. Because of the risks of osteoporosis, now more than ever, women are encouraged to start bone density testing at age 50.

Osteopenia, which precedes osteoporosis, is a milder state of bone loss. Fracture risk is increased in osteopenia as well but more importantly it very frequently progresses to osteoporosis. Once bone is lost it is very hard to recover. So, it is best to pay attention to bone health early, at the osteopenia stage.

This is eye opening for those who do not recognize the various aspects of bone health. Hormones can severely affect female bone formation, and eventually estrogen can become too high, leading to a rapid onset of the disease^​2​.

Although most believe that this disease is related to calcium deficiency, it is not the only cause of osteoporosis. There are many risk factors that can exacerbate the disease, including diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Bone density begins to decline at the age of 30 as bone loss starts due to ageing^​2​.

After a bone density test confirms osteoporosis, doctors commonly prescribe Osteoporosis medications, which can have side-effects, so it is worth discussing the options with your doctor.

Bone supplements, drugs and various types of massage therapies are the most common approaches for osteoporosis, and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is one more area researchers have explored.

What is PEMF therapy?

PEMF therapy uses pulsating magnetic fields, delivered through a coil placed on the body.

Doctors began using prescription PEMF devices for non-union fractures (breaks that fail to join) in the late 1970s, and researchers have since studied PEMF in bone and cartilage repair^​3​. These are medical devices, different from FlexPulse.

Researchers have also looked at PEMF and resting blood pressure in aging adults^​4​. PEMF isn’t suitable for everyone, so read the contraindications and cautions before use.

What studies have looked at in osteoporosis

PEMF therapy research has increased significantly in recent years, including studies in people with osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Lab studies have looked at PEMF and cell growth^​7,8​, and reviews have discussed PEMF in the repair of bones, joints and other tissues^​3,9​. Researchers are also studying PEMF and articular cartilage^​11​, which has little ability to repair itself.

In a lab study, PEMF encouraged stem cells to develop into bone-forming cells^​​10​.

A 2008 review of clinical studies, most of them published in Chinese, looked at PEMF and bone density, bone strength and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in people with osteoporosis. It reported positive findings in some groups but described the effects on bone density in primary osteoporosis as controversial^​11​.

In conclusion, research on PEMF and bone is ongoing, and most of it used medical devices rather than wearables. Good nutrition, exercise and regular check-ups with your doctor remain the foundation of bone health.

Disclaimer: We do not claim that our products can be used to treat Osteoporosis or any other medical conditions.