PEMF therapy or Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy has been studied in relation to pain for more than five decades. Since ancient times, magnetic therapy has been applied by civilizations from eastern Europe and the far east for a variety of issues.
PEMF uses pulsed magnetic fields rather than the fixed field of a static magnet. Static magnets have also been studied for pain in the abdomen and genitals1. Case reports have also described PEMF use on chronic skin ulcers in frail elderly people2.
Why researchers are studying PEMF and pain
Pain is a huge topic and can be caused due to a large variety of issues that affect both, neurology and physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction, a problem with the energy-producing parts of cells, has been linked to many chronic conditions3, and some researchers are exploring whether PEMF affects how cells produce energy. This work is mostly at the lab stage.
In a March 2003 publication titled, “Pain Management with PEMF Treatment”, Dr. William Pawluk reviewed the ways magnetic fields have been proposed to interact with the nervous system and tissues, such as nerve cell firing, calcium ion movement, endorphin levels and nitric oxide.
PEMF and inflammation research
Pain is affected by inflammation and many reasons cause inflammation such as tissue damage, poor circulation, surgery, etc. Tissue cells like all cells operate on cellular energy derived from mitochondria. When a cell is debilitated, it’s electromagnetic activity is reduced and normal cellular functions as well as their self-repair mechanisms are negatively impacted resulting in inflammation and eventually pain.
Research on PEMF and inflammation is still early. Lab and animal studies have looked at how PEMF affects inflammatory signals in cells, and two small trials after breast surgery (2010, 2015) measured lower levels of an inflammatory marker in wound fluid. Those trials used a different, radio-frequency PEMF device taped over the surgical site, so they don’t show what a home device does.
Researchers have studied PEMF and related magnetic stimulation in post operative pain4, diabetic neuropathy5, fibromyalgia6, lumbar disc prolapse7, damaged cartilages8, neck pain9 and arthritis10. Several of these studies were small, and some used a different technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), so their results can’t be applied directly to a home device.
Overall, the evidence is mixed. Reviews of placebo-controlled trials report short-term improvements in osteoarthritis and lower-back pain, while other reviews found no clear advantage for pain. None of these studies used FlexPulse. If you live with ongoing pain, talk with your doctor.
