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PEMF Therapy – The Cure for Your Back Pain 

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Globally, 23% of adults experience chronic back pain. If you are among them, you understand its impact on daily life, especially when the discomfort is concentrated in the lower back region. In the United States alone, back pain ranks as the second most common musculoskeletal condition and is listed among the top ten reasons for missing work in the employed population.

The persistent aches and pains associated with back issues can severely challenge one’s ability to perform routine activities, ultimately diminishing their quality of life. While traditional treatment modalities such as medication, physical therapy, or surgical interventions have been explored, they may not always provide satisfactory relief and can sometimes introduce unwanted side effects. 

In response to these limitations, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has emerged as an alternative, natural approach to managing back pain without the need for drugs or invasive procedures. PEMF therapy delivers low-frequency electromagnetic fields to the body, which are believed to stimulate the body’s inherent healing processes from within. 

This article will review the PEMF therapy and explore how it helps alleviate your back pain. 

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain can be a dull, nagging sensation across your lower back to sharp, shooting pains that take your breath away. It can range from mild to severe and cause serious limitations to your daily life. In some cases, the pain can make it impossible to sleep, walk, sit, or do just about anything.

What are the Causes of Back Pain?

Given are a few causes of back pain:

  • Poor Posture

These days, all the technology and sitting we do is a huge reason why so many people suffer from back pain. The time you spend bent over phones, tablets, and laptops in awkward positions for too long messes up your back.

Leaning your head forward to stare at your phone strains your upper back and neck muscles. Slouching over a laptop or computer screen throws your whole spine out of alignment. This unnatural curving compresses the discs and bones in your back, putting too much stress on the lower back area. No wonder people get nagging aches, tightness, and fatigue after too much screen time.

But even when you aren’t on a device, sitting for hours can lead to back issues. Our bodies are meant to move around – staying sedentary for a long time works against how we’re naturally built. When we sit for extended periods, the core muscles that support the spine weaken, and the hip flexor muscles get tight. This muscle imbalance messes up our healthy posture, leaving us prone to lower back pain and stiffness.

The human body wasn’t made to stay locked in one position for that long. We’re supposed to stretch, bend, reach, and be active throughout the day.

  • Muscle strain or sprain

People often injure their backs by lifting heavy objects or lifting objects in an unsafe manner. About 40% of individuals who are engaged in weightlifting complain of back pain. Lifting excessively can cause overstretching of your back muscles, i.e., muscle strain, or damage the ligaments holding the muscles to your bones, i.e., sprain. Others may suffer strain and sprain from coughing, sneezing, twisting, or bending over.

  • Bone fractures

Bone fracture is one of the most excruciating pain that a person suffers from. This can be a cause of severe morbidity and limitation. Conditions like osteoporosis, resulting in loss of bone mineral density, can cause your bones to be brittle and easier to break.

  • Disc herniation or degeneration

When the soft cushion between the bones of your spine wears out due to age, the nerve roots exiting at that level can get impinged. This results in severe and debilitating back pain that may shoot down to your bottom or legs, called sciatica. Other times, due to a trauma or simply due to wear and tear of your disc, it can prolapse, causing entrapment of the nerve, resulting in a similar pain.

  • Arthritis

Millions of people worldwide suffer from arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, can affect the back, resulting in the formation of bony spurs that are not only painful by themselves, poking into the soft tissues, but they can also compress the nerves resulting in shooting pain.

  • Diseases and structural problems

Other health conditions, such as cancers and infections, can result in back pain. Structural problems like the narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in the compression of the spinal cord can also cause severe back pain, loss of bladder and bowel function, and other symptoms.

How Can You Relieve  Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most common complaints people bring to their doctors, costing the healthcare system billions annually. There are various treatment options available for managing back pain:

  1. Conventional management

Often, back pain resolves on its own with proper rest and self-care. Applying ice or taking over-the-counter pain relievers can provide relief. Staying active also helps by improving blood flow and promoting faster healing. Conventional therapies for back pain include:

  • Medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, etc.)
  • Physical therapy
  • Intra-articular steroid injections
  • Surgery (in severe cases)
  1. Non-invasive therapies

The topic of today’s discussion is PEMF therapy, but here is an additional list for your information.

  • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapyPEMF therapy for back pain is a magical addition to the conventional back pain treatment. More details will be provided in the next section.
  • Hands-on manipulation
  • Acupuncture
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
  • Yoga and Pilates
  • Biofeedback
  • Heat and Cold Therapy
  • Aquatic Therapy

PEMF Therapy – The Answer To Your Back Pain

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive, painless treatment for various conditions, including back pain. It uses low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields to promote natural healing processes in the body. The therapy has been subject to numerous scientific studies and is recognised to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance tissue repair.

Through Which Mechanism PEMF Relief Back Pain?

Pemf works in different ways to help relieve back pain. A few scientifically proven ways are:

  1. Release of Endorphins

PEMF creates an electromagnetic field that puts the disturbed charges of your cells back into balance. It enhances the release of natural painkillers like endorphins and reduces the transmission of pain signals, thus offering relief from acute and chronic pain. 

  1. Reduces Muscle Stiffness

PEMF therapy helps reduce muscle stiffness and soreness, which are common contributors to back pain. The pulsed electromagnetic fields promote muscle relaxation, reduce muscle spasms, and improve flexibility, alleviating back pain associated with muscle tension and tightness.

  1. Improves Blood Flow

Poor blood circulation contributes to back pain by depriving tissues of oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing and repair. PEMF therapy improves blood flow by increasing vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), which allows more blood to reach the affected areas, promoting healing.

  1. Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is a common cause of back pain, as it can irritate nerve endings and cause swelling, stiffness, and discomfort. PEMF therapy has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, as it can reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and promote the release of anti-inflammatory compounds, thereby reducing inflammation and associated pain.

  1. Mitochondrial Energy Support and Cellular Repair 

PEMF therapy improves cellular energy production by enhancing mitochondrial function, which is essential for cellular repair and healing processes. By supporting mitochondrial health and increasing ATP (energy) production, PEMF therapy promotes the body’s natural healing mechanisms and aids in repairing damaged or injured tissues, contributing to the alleviation of back pain.

Does PEMF Help with Back Pain? – Here is What Science Says

Given are a few science-backed benefits of PEMF in back pain.

  • Effective Pain Management in Chronic Low Back Pain

According to a study, PEMF therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in improving pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain, offering a non-pharmacological treatment option for this condition.

  • Alleviation of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

A study showed that PEMF therapy alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration, a major contributor to back pain, by enhancing extracellular matrix production and promoting autophagy in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells, suggesting a role in supporting mitochondrial health and cellular repair. 

  • Chronic Lower Back Pain Management

A systematic review explored the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) for chronic low back pain. The analysis of nine randomised controlled trials revealed promising results. Five studies showed significant pain reduction and improved physical function in PEMF therapy participants compared to control groups. The studies suggest that PEMF is a safe and beneficial option, particularly when combined with conventional physical therapy.

  • Efficacy of PEMF on Non-Specific Low Back Pain(LBP)

A randomised controlled trial evaluated the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, with a frequency of 50 Hz and an intensity of 20 Gauss, on patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). Results showed significant improvements in the PEMF therapy receiving group regarding pain reduction, decreased functional disability, and enhanced lumbar range of motion (ROM) compared to the control group. The study concluded that adding PEMF to conventional physical therapy protocols significantly improved clinical outcomes in patients with non-specific LBP, suggesting that PEMF therapy is a viable adjunct to traditional physiotherapeutic treatments for back pain.

  • Reduction of Lower Back Pain

A systematic review assessed the effectiveness of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy on patients with low back pain through randomised controlled trials. The review included studies from January 2005 to August 2015 and found that PEMF therapy reduces pain intensity and improves functionality in individuals suffering from low back pain conditions.

Where Can you get PEMF therapy?

  1. Clinic-Based PEMF Therapy

Wellness and healthcare centres offer clinic-based PEMF therapy as a treatment option for back pain. These clinics typically have professional-grade PEMF devices and may integrate other therapies into treatment plans. 

  1. At-Home PEMF Devices

While clinic-based PEMF therapy offers professional oversight and potentially integrated therapies, it can be expensive and time-consuming due to frequent appointments and travel costs. At-home PEMF devices provide a more cost-effective and convenient alternative.  These one-time purchases allow you to schedule therapy sessions around your routine, using the device anywhere for on-demand pain relief. Ultimately, the flexibility and affordability of at-home PEMF devices make them a strong contender for managing chronic back pain. 

You can buy these devices from anywhere, but Recovery Systems’ PEMF BioMats are currently leading the market due to the multiple modalities incorporated into the mats. These BioMats not only provide PEMF therapy but also leverage negative ion generation, far infrared rays, heat therapy, and red light therapy. This powerful combination of five distinct therapies works synergistically, creating an optimal healing environment to alleviate lower back pain within a matter of days.

These BioMats come in three different form factors:

  1. Standard (Medium) PEMF Bio Qi Mat – Ideal for targeted pain relief, suitable for use on a chair, couch, or floor.
  2. Large PEMF Bio Qi Mat – Designed for taller individuals, this mat can be used on a bed or floor for full-body treatment.
  3. Qi Mat – Office Chair – This option allows you to receive PEMF benefits while seated, which is perfect for office use. This PEMF BioMat is best for work-from-home people, freelancers and people whose work requires long sitting.

All BioMats deliver the same powerful PEMF therapy benefits. Choose the size and format that best suits your needs and lifestyle! 

What is the best frequency for PEMF for back pain?

Studies investigating PEMF therapy for lower back pain have shown promising results with frequencies ranging from 10 to 50 Hz, particularly when used at low intensity (20 Gauss). While a single “best” frequency hasn’t been established, research suggests this range may be beneficial in managing pain and improving physical function in patients with chronic low back pain.

Conclusion

PEMF therapy has shown promising potential as an effective, non-invasive, and drug-free approach to alleviate chronic back pain. Scientific studies have demonstrated PEMF’s ability to reduce pain intensity, improve physical function and range of motion, and promote the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is using a pulse stimulator good for lower back pain?

Pulse stimulator or Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is shown to be helpful in some individuals with lower back pain. It delivers low current through electrodes placed on the skin near the pain area and helps reduce the intensity and severity of lower back pain.

Is magnet therapy good for back pain?

Magnet therapy for back pain shows conflicting results. Some studies suggest benefits, such as a 2022 study by Karateev et al., finding it effective for reducing pain and medication use in acute back pain. Another study by Fortina et al. in 2022 indicated potential relief from chronic pain with high-intensity magnetic fields. However, other studies paint a different picture. A randomised controlled trial by Collacott et al. in 2000 found no pain reduction with magnets, and a similar study by Taradaj et al. in 2018 yielded the same results. So, the effectiveness of magnet therapy for back pain remains inconclusive.