What is PEMF?
Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy or “PEMF” is an innovative and relatively new therapeutic device that helps accelerate the ability of the body to heal. We have one of the most powerful PEMF machines that is safe for human use here at Parker Muscle and Sports Clinic.
What does it do?
This machine can achieve amazing results with the musculoskeletal system, organ gland conditions, dermatologic conditions, and other conditions in addition to the care we provide here at our clinic.
First—Common Conditions
The PEMF device creates an electromagnetic field that influences cellular function and treats the following:
- Shoulder joint inflammation and pain
- Low back inflammation and pain
- Bone fractures, bruises and osteopenia/porosis
- Skin conditions
- Neuropathies
- Post concussive syndrome
- Wound healing
- General detoxification
We have personally seen the PEMF’s benefit. Bone fractures heal in a fraction of the usual time, skin conditions disappear, energy levels increase, some minor infections such as bladder infections improve dramatically, and we see significant decreases in healing time with joint, spine and other muscle related conditions. This technology is key for chronic pain and disability.
Second—The Science Behind It
Your cells carry an electro-magnetic charge that can be measured. If you recall your high school science class, the acidic and base measurement is “pH.” The pH basic range is 0-14, 0 being very acidic and 14 being very base (alkalai).
We know that acidic environments in the cells predispose you to disease and sickness. Of course, too much alkalinity can be bad also. The neutral pH is 7. A pH of 7 is close to 0 millivolts. 0 pH is closer to +400 millivolts and 14 is approximately -400 millivolts.
A healthy cell environment is usually about a pH of 7.88 which is slightly in the negative millivolt range.
Think back to that high school science class and you may also remember electrons, neutrons and protons. Electrons passing back and forth is an important process that happens all the time. Electron stealers are bad for cell pH and electron givers are good. One example of electron givers or donors is antioxidants from foods such as phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables.
In an acidic environment or a pH of 0-6.9, electron stealers are free to take electrons causing things like “free radicals” to become more abundant and cause damage.
In a more alkaline environment it is the opposite. Electron donors are free to donate/give and build and heal tissue. That is a pH of 7.0 to 14.
You can measure salivary pH and urinary pH on pH sticks. These measurements are usually .8 pH units less than optimal cellular pH. The following chart explains a lot about pH, cell voltage, and states of human health.
| Cell Voltage | Cell pH | State of Human Body |
| -50 | 7.88 | Makes new cells |
| -45 | 7.79 | |
| -40 | 7.70 | |
| -35 | 7.61 | Normal for kids |
| -30 | 7.53 | |
| -25 | 7.44 | |
| -20 | 7.35 | Tired |
| -15 | 7.26 | Sick |
| -10 | 7.18 | |
| -5 | 7.09 | Change in Polarity |
| 0 | 7.00 | |
| 5 | 6.91 | |
| 10 | 6.83 | |
| 15 | 6.65 | Cancer occurs |
| 20 | 6.48 |
Your tissues are constantly turning over (regenerating). That means we become new cells and new humans basically every 6 weeks, give or take. Your liver is a new liver every 8 weeks; your skin turns over every 6 weeks; the lining of our gut is replaced every 2 to 3 days as are the retinas in your eyes. If your cells have a poor charge then your cells will renew slower and less efficiently leading to chronic disease, pain, and possibly irreversible damage.
The PEMF assists cells to recharge and improves the efficiency of cell turnover, exchange of wastes and nutrients and other essential components of cell wall function, as well as improving the cell environment to limit free radical damage.
A great resource is the story of Jerry Tenant MD, PSc.,D and his book, “Healing is Voltage.” This book goes not much more detail, but this gives you an idea of the basic premise of how the PEMF works.
Third—What to Expect and How Treatment Programs are Scheduled
Our PEMF machine is the strongest pulse electromagnetic machine on the market safe for human use. Because it emits an ultra-strong electromagnetic wave we have to make sure the strength and duration of treatments are appropriate for you.
There are some definite “cannots” with the machine. The patient cannot have credit cards, key fobs, cell phones, computers, hearing aids, pacemakers, or any other electromagnetic device in a pocket or hand or implanted internally while using the PEMF. If you are pregnant you may have to wait to use the machine.
Any metal related to joint replacement or plates from surgery are considered safe.
As you lie or sit on the machine the doctor or assistant will turn the machine on to your specific frequency and turn up the power until you feel it. You will feel a slight pulsing or tapping in the area we are focusing on.
Some people experience a detoxing effect (light-headed, nausea, woozy feeling) after treatments if the magnet is too strong. We do everything in our power to keep this from happening. However, if this does happen you will need to drink a lot of electrolytes and fluids to help it pass. It usually only lasts a few hours and is a sign your body is detoxifying.
Treatments last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. We generally schedule them for 30 minutes.
This is literally cellular exercise, so frequency and duration of the treatment are imperative for the result we are trying to create with your body. We are trying to condition your cells to keep a healthy pH and charge optimal for your health and well-being.
Normal treatment amounts are estimated in hours on the machine. The following recommendations are based on the training we received and logical time for human cells to respond to a stimulus.
- Acute conditions require 10 hours
- Chronic conditions require 20 hours
- Severe conditions require 50+ hours
As a general recommendation we advise a person undergoing treatment to get a minimum of three hours per week. That time should be split between 30-minute sessions. We want to get you better faster and keep you there. The PEMF gives us another option to stimulate your body to respond in the manner it is meant to heal.
