Recently, PEMF (Pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy for autism has become a hope of a drug-free natural solution for parents and families with autism. What’s the truth behind it?
Does PEMF therapy actually help with ASD symptoms? Could this therapy outshine conventional methods of treatment? Is it worth investing in a PEMF device? If you have all these questions, we have you covered.
This blog explains how PEMF therapy works to improve symptoms and maximise the functionality of ASD patients.
What Is An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurological and developmental disorder that impairs the ability of individuals to communicate, learn, and behave. Difficulty in social functioning, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviours characterise it. This developmental disorder can be diagnosed at any age and is lifelong.
Autism is called a “Spectrum disorder” because of the variation in the range and seriousness of symptoms. It includes conditions such as autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and persuasive development disorder.
Typically, the symptoms of autism appear in the first two years of life. There is no cure for autism, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve symptoms and quality of life.
Symptoms of ASD
The severity of signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder varies among individuals. Following are some of the common types of behaviours noticed in people with ASD:
- Intense focus on one item
- Unresponsiveness
- Repetitive moves
- Lack of understanding of facial expressions, body language, and other gestures
- Self-abusive behaviour, such as head banging
- Lack of interaction with other children
- Avoidance of eye contact
- Lack of empathy
- Does not respond to their name
- Delayed speech
- Abnormal tone or rhythm to speak
- Difficulty understanding simple things
- Stick to a specific routine and get disturbed by slight changes
- Sensitive to sound, touch, or light
- Difficulty adjusting behaviours to social situations
- Inability to understand other person’s point of view or actions
- Difficulty with communication and interaction
- Infrequently sharing interests, emotions or other activities
- Having a lasting interest in specific topics
- Sleep problems or irritability
Possible Causes and Risk Factors For ASD
The primary cause of ASD is not known yet. However, studies have suggested that genetics and environmental factors (viral infections, complications during pregnancy, air pollutants, and medications) might trigger autistic disorders. Other risk factors that might increase the possibility of ASD include:
- Heredity
- Children born to older parents
- Low birth weight
- Genetic disorders such as Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, or Fragile X Syndrome
- Premature delivery (babies born before 26 weeks of pregnancy)
Treatment and Therapies
There is no single approach to treatment, as the symptoms of ASD vary from person to person. The goal of autism treatment is to maximise the level of functionality and to encourage them to live normal lives.
Early treatment and diagnosis help people with ASD learn new skills and build strengths.
Role Of PEMF Therapy In ASD
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy for autism is research-proven to improve several impairments resulting from the condition. PEMF is an essential advancement in treating autism in children and should start being considered by practitioners, including paediatricians, to help their patients with autism improve outcomes and quality of life.
How Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy Works For ASD?
PEMF, when applied to the head or brain, is called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). PEMF therapy, even with very high intensities used to the brain, is safe, non-invasive and carries minimal risks.
PEMF therapy for autism has been extensively studied and found to have no significant side effects other than occasional short-term headaches due to improved circulation. Pulsed electromagnetic fields improve brain blood circulation, reduce inflammation, improve brain function and accelerate healing. The same cannot be said about medication for autism.
Unlike many other diseases that PEMF has been effective for, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a modern ailment. The CDC reports a more than 100% increase in children with autism from 2000-2010 in the United States, which is exponentially exploding.
A genetic component has been found that limits the body’s ability to detoxify environmental factors. The combination of this genetic component in a significant percentage of the population, with an increased burden of environmental pollution in modern industrialised societies, is likely contributing to this rapid increase in this disorder. These include air, water and soil pollution, electro-pollution and processed food diets.
About 10% of autistic children also have Down syndrome or chromosomal disorders.
Does PEMF Therapy Reduce Symptoms of Autism?
Scientists believe that autism is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, which reduces the energy capacity of neuronal cells. Oxidative stress worsens autism spectrum disorder. PEMF therapy improves mitochondrial function, oxygenation, neuron conduction, and neurotransmitter production and reduces toxicity from inflammation. It stimulates molecules, cells, nerves, and even ions and impacts health at the cellular level.
Energy Medicine research shows promising results that PEMF therapy may reduce symptoms of autism
The therapy is simple, and the results of PEMF include the following –
- Increase in cognitive abilities.
- Improved circulation.
- immune system boost
- to improve the lives of Parents and caregivers
Thus you would find that PEMF therapy can have some immediate benefits. The fact that PEMF improves oxygenation is very well known, and there are more studies on how PEMF helps cells in the bones, nerves and tissues.
Research On PEMF Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Scientists state that PEMF is a more straightforward solution, slower and safer than electrical brain implants or invasive magnetic stimulation.
Effect On Behaviour
In 2010, research was done by the University of Louisville School of Medicine; scientists found substantial improvement in the behaviour of autistic children who tried magnetic stimulation. Irritability and repetitive behaviour decreased in these subjects.
In 2014, an 18-week study with two control groups showed remarkable improvement in the behaviour and cognition of autistic teenagers using a 1 Hz magnetic field.
Effects On Social Functioning
2014 saw another double-blind study at Monash University, Australia, where they also found that TMS decreases autism spectrum disorder-related anxiety and social problems that such patients face.
Similarly, one young woman with autism improved her social skills after brain stimulation using specialised tools.
Effects On Movement-Associated Cortical Potentials
Neuroscientists have been studying PEMF and magnetic stimulation methods for treating various psychiatric disorders in children, including ADHD, ASD, schizophrenia, and Tourette’s syndrome. The positive results of the research indicated a great healing potential of pulsed electromagnetic fields to reduce elevated cortical excitability and movement-related electrophysiology.
Harvard medical scientists found that pulsed magnetic stimulation (PEMF) improves neuroplasticity and supports the safety and tolerability of high-intensity theta-burst magnetic stimulation.
As we can see, research evidence is available now regarding PEMF therapy’s effectiveness. It should be possible to impact autism significantly and, indeed, several mental and neurological issues faced by special needs children using PEMF.
Takeaway
PEMF therapy is a natural and powerful tool that can aid ASD patients with motor, social, and behavioural impairments. It is safe and offers long-lasting outcomes to autistic patients.
Are you in search of a high-quality PEMF device? Recovery systems PEMF Bio mat series is what you need. It is proven to be effective in keeping autism symptoms in control. Our mats are designed with a remarkable combination of 5 recovery modalities, i.e., PEMF, far infrared, negative ion, heat and red-light therapy.
They work by mimicking the frequency of Schumann resonance (Earth’s natural heartbeat rhythm) to benefit the overall mental and physical health of people who have autism.
Author: Michael Lyons