What is the best magnetic field strength for Pulsed EMF treatment?

PEMF therapy involves the use of induced electromagnetic fields with various frequencies and strengths to potentially treat a range of medical conditions, particularly soft tissue pain and bone fractures.

It is important to distinguish between induced electromagnetic (EM) fields and electromagnetic radiation produced by a transmitter source.  Induced EM fields including those used in pulsed EMF are naturally generated from the flow of an electrical charge through a conductor and dissipate with distance; whereas EM radiation such as microwave, visible light, and radio waves propagate over long distances at the speed of light.  Induced fields since they dissipate quickly with distance from the source don't have nearly the potential to be damaging to living tissue when compared to high frequency EM radiation such as gamma and X-rays.

Now, the EM fields that come from overhead power lines can still be adverse, but it has to do with the type of current that produces it.  PEMF devices are calibrated to use a current that generates only "clean," long wavelength electromagnetic fields; the type that can have a positive effect on cells.

Research on the therapeutic effects of PEMF is ongoing, and results can vary depending on the specific condition and the parameters of the electromagnetic field used.

In PEMF studies, the magnetic field strength used varies widely.  Researchers are still undecided on what field strength is optimal for therapeutic effect, and different levels of intensity are being tried and compared.

Magnetic field intensity is measured in units of Gauss (G) or Tesla (T).  One Tesla is equal to 10,000 Gauss, and PEMF device strength is usually described in Gauss or microTesla.

The strength of the magnetic field used in research varies with the specific condition being treated, the target tissue or organ, and the desired therapeutic outcome. Some general examples of magnetic field strengths used in PEMF research for various conditions include:

1. Pain Management:

   • Magnetic field strengths typically range from 1 mT (milliTesla) to 100 mT.

2. Osteoarthritis:

   • Studies have used magnetic field strengths ranging from 0.1 mT to 1.5 T.

3. Fracture Healing:

   • Magnetic field strengths around 1 mT to 20 mT have been employed.

4. Wound Healing:

   • Magnetic field strengths from 1 mT to 100 mT have been investigated.

5. Neurological Disorders:

   • Research into neurological conditions often involves magnetic field strengths in the range of 0.1 mT to 1 T.

The effectiveness of PEMF therapy depends on factors such as the specific condition being treated, the duration of treatment, the frequency of the electromagnetic pulses, and the individual patient's response.  What most PEMF machine owners do is try out different combinations of frequency, intensity and duration and note which combination results in the best outcome (less pain or other targeted symptoms), and use that combination for subsequent treatment sessions.  The good news is that PEMF does not cause any adverse/ harmful effects, but like any therapy, it is wise to not get excessive treatment.  In the case of Pulsed EMF, a good treatment duration is 10-30 minutes/ session/ body region.

Positive findings in studies may not be universal, and more research is needed to establish the optimal parameters for different medical conditions.