Electromagnetic therapy: mechanisms and applications

Electromagnetic Therapy

A review of the existing scientific literature

The use of magnets in medicine is long-standing. "Physicians from ancient Greece, China, Japan, and Europe successfully applied natural magnetic materials in their daily practice" (Marko 2007). This is "based on the belief that an imbalance of the electromagnetic frequencies or fields of energy can cause illness. By applying electrical energy to the body, the imbalance can be corrected. Many electrical devices are available on the market to treat a variety of symptoms" (Electromagnetic Therapy, 2012, New York Presbyterian Hospital). "With the advent of the commercial availability of electricity during the last 20 years of the Nineteenth Century with a push by inventors and visionaries like Thomas Edison, an increase in experimentation and applied research by means of electromagnetic fields became more intense during the middle of the twentieth century" (Pretorious et al. 2011). However, the therapy's full incorporation into contemporary medicine has been a slow process.

Many forms of conventional medicine do make use of electromagnetic therapy, including "jump starting' the heart after a heart attack;" the use of electricity to increase bone growth; and "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) - used to treat some types of pain" (Electromagnetic Therapy, 2012, New York Presbyterian Hospital). In one study of 20 patients with acute neck pain, patients that received pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT) showed more significant improvement than the control group in terms of pain reduction and recovering their mobility (Foley-Nolan et al. 1990). In another study of ninety subjects suffering chronic low back pain, members of both experimental groups saw a significant reduction in their pain as a result of the treatment (Battisti et al. 2008)

Supporters state that "today magnetotherapy provides a non-invasive, safe, and easy method to directly treat the site of injury, the source of pain and inflammation, and other types of diseases and pathologies. Millions of people worldwide have received help in treatment of musculoskeletal system" deterioration as well as pain relief (Marko 2007:465). The therapy also has been shown to be effective in bone growth. Electromagnetic therapy's growth-stimulating properties were first used in the 1970s to treat delayed fractures with biphasic low frequency signals. "This signal was allowed by the FDA for application in the U.S.A. only for non-union / delayed fractures. A decade later, the FDA allowed the use of pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic field (PRF) for treatment of pain and edema in superficial soft tissues" (Marko 2007). Cartilage has been found to respond to the treatment. "Moreover, modest damage of the articular cartilage, resulting from trauma or less invasive surgical procedure, produces an inflammatory reaction of the joint cartilage" and has been found to respond to "pulsed electromagnetic fields (I-ONE therapy, Igea, Carpi, Italy) allow[ed] to treat homogenously the whole cartilage surface and thickness and the underlying subchondral bone" (Cardosi, Setti, & Fini 2011:211). Patients with bone fractures due to osteoporosis as well as traumatic bone injuries and patients with diabetic foot ulcers can all potentially benefit from the therapy. Weak electromagnetic fields (EMF) have even been used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease (Marko 2007:466).

However, despite the alleged benefits for patients suffering many of the illnesses of old age, the FDA policy has been cautious. "In concert with this policy, the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) for a period of time refused to allow reimbursement even for modalities cleared by the FDA. It took several years of court fighting until CMS reversed its position" (Marko 2007: 466). Another, countervailing opinion regarding the safety of the procedure relates to the fact that the population is already over-exposed to electrical stimulus. "Increased use and human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from electrical appliances, power lines, wireless communications, cell phones, radio and microwave technologies continue to concern the public about potential health risks…. Some epidemiological studies suggested increased risk of initiation of malignancy, starting with childhood leukemia near power lines in the 5 -- 300 milliGauss range" (Ivan, Nicholas & Marko 2007: 455). A study found that found cells experience genetic damage when exposed to power line EMF frequency conditions in the 200 mG to 10G range (Ivan, Nicholas & Marko 2007: 455).