FAQ: Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields
What are PEMFs?
PEMF stands for Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field. An electromagnetic field affects the behavior of anything with charge in the vicinity of the field. Our bodies are electric – every heartbeat generates electromagnetic waves throughout the blood vessels of the body, stimulating tissues at a cellular level. External magnetic fields and the normal electric and electromagnetic fields produced by the body interact. So, a magnetic field passing through our whole body will have an electromagnetic effect on each of our 70+ trillion cells. As a result, magnetic fields act in basic and fundamental ways on molecules and tissues. They affect the most basic functions of all cells—human, animal, and plant included.
What types of conditions can be treated with PEMFs?
PEMFs can be used by almost anyone to help with almost any condition or problem. Because magnetic fields affect us on a cellular level, they are not condition-specific. PEMFs have been shown to decrease inflammation, increase circulation, enhance muscle function, speed bone healing, reduce the effects of stress, and improve blood oxygenation, among a myriad of other things.
Because the PEMF-120 is a high-intensity PEMF system, it is especially helpful for stubborn or deep-seated problems, chronic aches and pains, and recovery from sports performance or sports-related injuries and those problems that we want to improve quickly.
Are there any contraindications to using PEMFs?
Absolute contraindications are implanted electrical devices including pacemakers, cochlear implants, intrathecal pumps, etc, because the magnetic field can shut the device off, as would happen with an MRI. PEMFs have not been proven safe for pregnant women, though we know that pregnant women often work around MRI machines and in some circumstances get MRIs themselves. People with overactive adrenal or thyroid glands should use PEMFs with caution, as glands can become over-stimulated and fatigued. Conditions with active bleeding, especially into the gut, should be controlled before PEMFs are applied. Patients known to be especially vulnerable to cardiac rhythm disturbances should exercise caution when using high-intensity PEMFs near the heart. Caution also needs to be used in individuals with implanted metal in their bodies.
I’ve read elsewhere that high-intensity magnetic fields are dangerous. Is this true?
Put simply, if high-intensity magnetic fields were dangerous no one would be getting MRIs. Theoretical and experimental studies indicate that MRI is not harmful as confirmed by the millions of scans safely performed in the last several decades.
High intensity PEMFs are routinely used in medical practice. This includes not only MRIs, but also repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation [rTMS], various muscle stimulation systems, such as the Neocontrol and Neotonus, among many others. Many of these are FDA approved indicating that there is some degree of acceptance through the conventional medical system of their usefulness and safety.
There are dozens and dozens of PEMF devices on the market and they vary in intensity from very weak (measured in picoTesla) to very powerful (measured in Gauss or Tesla), so the term “high intensity” is purely relative. There are 100 microTesla in 1 Gauss. The earth’s magnetic field, for reference, is about a half a Gauss, or 50 microTesla. An MRI machine is upwards of 40,000 Gauss. The PEMF-120 produces a maximum of around 9,400 Gauss, 0.9 Tesla.
No matter whether they are weak or strong, magnetic fields have to be used appropriately to avoid risk and provide the maximum benefit. Generally speaking, the more challenging the health issue, especially associated with high levels of pain, Dr. Pawluk often recommends higher intensity PEMF systems for faster, better, and longer-lasting results.
Do I have to be a medical professional to purchase the PEMF-120?
No. PEMF-120 units are currently in use more in various medical practices (traditional practices, chiropractic offices, massage therapy offices, physical therapy offices, etc.) as well as in people’s homes, RVs, and yachts. This may be more related to the cost of a professional-level system.
On the other hand, it’s important that wherever the system is used, whether professional or individual, they are able to understand how to operate it for the most benefit, safely.
There are other PEMF systems that look similar to the PEMF-120. What is the difference?
The PEMF-120 is manufactured by PEMF Systems, Inc, which also manufactures other units that are privately labeled. That being said, the market is full of knock-off and sub-par devices, most all of which are likely infringing on multiple patents, and are not supported by PEMF Systems, Inc.
What is the advantage of purchasing the PEMF-120 over similar devices?
Support. We are the only distributor working directly with a licensed and currently practicing MD (Dr. William Pawluk). Not only does Dr. Pawluk use the PEMF-120 regularly in his own practice, he has been at the forefront of magnetic therapies for more than 25 years. No amount of training can substitute for his hands-on experience and medical expertise. When you are purchasing something this expensive, it makes good sense to buy from a company supported by a medical professional who uses the unit himself.
But I have seen Dr. Pawluk’s name associated with similar products
We have the internet to thank for this. Similar things happened when Dr. Pawluk was on The Doctor Oz Show. Unfortunately, almost anyone can copy Dr. Pawluk’s videos and claim them as their own. You need only visit Dr. Pawluk’s website, www.drpawluk.com, to see that the only high-intensity system he recommends is the PEMF-120.
You may see devices recommended on drpawluk.com on other websites, claiming that Dr. Pawluk recommends their systems. The major difference is that they don’t provide the expert medical support that can be provided by having Dr. Pawluk involved personally.
What is the average treatment time?
On the desktop model, programs run for 3 minutes. On the mobile model (also called the All-Terrain), programs can run for 10 minutes. This program time is intended for treatment of one area. Depending on what you are treating and how much of the body you are treating, you can expect to use the system for between 5 and 30 minutes at a time.
If, for instance, you were treating a knee, you would only need to do one or two treatments, so you would be done in 3 or 5 minutes. If you wanted to treat the entire body, you would move the coil every 3 or 5 minutes, ensuring that all of the body received treatment.
Can I do too much treatment? Can I overdose?
You cannot overdose on magnetic fields as they are not residual in the body – they simply pass completely through our bodies – even bones. That being said, you can over-stimulate a body. This happens when the body isn’t ready for the amount of energy the treatment provides to it. Over-stimulation feels like the jitters – like you’ve had too much caffeine. It is not dangerous, but can be uncomfortable. To avoid over-stimulation, limit total treatment times to about 30 minutes per session.
Why is the PEMF-120 so expensive?
It is not uncommon for medical devices to be priced between $20,000 and $50,000. The components in the PEMF-120 are expensive in order to create a reliable device and to achieve the necessary improvements over the original device. While you may save money up front by purchasing a less expensive unit, you will lose money on repair and downtime costs in the end…and a lot of opportunity to feel health benefits. PEMF-120 systems are made-to-order, not mass-produced. This keeps quality high, but also keeps pricing somewhat high as there is no mass production.
In addition, training and support are very important to maximize the use of this amazing therapeutic system and take time and cost. Many other expensive health-related systems charge extra for the training. We include training and expert medical support for the systems we make available.
We guarantee our prices. If you find the same production unit for a lower price, we will match it.
Contraindications
Absolute contraindications are implanted electrical devices including pacemakers, cochlear implants, intrathecal pumps, etc. The magnetic field can shut the device off, as would happen with an MRI. PEMFs have not been proven safe for pregnant women. Though, we know that pregnant women often work around MRI machines and occasionally get MRIs themselves. People with overactive adrenal or thyroid glands should use PEMFs with caution. Glands can become overstimulated and fatigued. Conditions with active bleeding, especially into the gut, should be controlled before PEMFs are applied. Patients known to be especially vulnerable to cardiac dysrhythmias should exercise caution when using high-intensity PEMFs. This is especially true near the heart. The PEMF-120 should be used at lower intensities and with caution around implanted metals.