PEMFt Pulsed Electro Magnetic Therapy - is it snake oil? What's the real deal. Does it really regenerate nerves? Is it anti-aging? Does it relieve arthritis? Might it help damaged ear cells?

By BobbyBoomer at March 26, 2014, 1:02 a.m., 59375 hits

A few months ago, we took my mother-in-law for PEMF Therapy to try to help her Parkinson's and it didn't seem to work. 3 days a week for a month. (Pulsed Magnetic Therapy - Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy)

However,

My wife and I did it too, figuring it wouldn't harm us (a ‘real’ doctor told us we had nothing to lose - it wouldn't hurt us and it might or might not help).

I noticed a huge improvement in my vision - I'm farsighted and could actually read fine print. Well the PEMF place was 5 hours away (round trip), and although the treatments weren't that expensive (he took donations), the gasoline and time consumed was too much. So after a month of it not helping my mother-in-law's Parkinson's, we quit going - it's a 5 hour round trip and that's too much.

As time went on, my vision reverted to it's pre-PEMF state (Sadly the improvement wasn't permanent).

So I started looking on the Internet for these devices, and I see price tags of $3000 or so and claims of anti-aging, nerve regeneration, arthritis relief, and so on.

Of course, I'm skeptical, especially at those price tags.

So I'm wondering, especially about the nerve regeneration process. I had ear problems, and a couple of misdiagnoses and a couple of ENT doctors before the problem was solved.

The problem that was occurring with frequency hasn't reared it's ugly head in well over a year with dust mite protection in my home and daily low dose children's Dimetapp.

Layman's description - I have an allergy to dust mites (verified by a RAST test). The dust mite protein in my system caused a severe inflammation response. This cut off the blood supply to some of the cilia nerve cells (hair cells) in my inner ear - high frequency is most affected. This makes it difficult to understand what people are saying, even with the prescribed hearing aids.

So I know, I'm desperate for a cure, even when everything on the Internet says nothing can be done yet. They are talking about 5 years or more for stem cell human trials.

So my thinking is that PEMFt obviously benefited my eyes so it does something and IF (and I know that's a big IF):

1) There is a chance it might help my ears
2) There is a chance it might do other good things for me like anti-aging
3) Prolonged treatment wouldn't harm me

I might give it a try.

Does anybody know anything about this?

If it does work, I need to know all about it. One site says low power sawtooth waves are best, another says high power sine waves are best (etc.), and each manufacturer says their system is best and the other methods don't work.

If I can't get meaningful information from someone other than the manufacturer, I'm not going to spring for $3000 worth of placebo. If all it does is improve my vision, I can get new eyeglasses for much less.

Thanks

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Posts [ 68 ] | Last post March 26, 2014, 1:02 a.m.

#31 - Dec. 28, 2012, 4:29 p.m.

DeanaMaye

I forgot to mention that my mother, her mother, her sister. my sister and 2 sons of my mother's sister; those 2 sons have worn hearing aids at least since their early 20's. That is my mother's side. My father's mother wore a hearing aid since I was old enough to notice. So, you can see why I'm interested with all these family ailments. THANKS!!!!

#32 - Dec. 28, 2012, 5:19 p.m.

BobbyBoomer

Right now I'm leaning towards getting the $600 machine. I wish I had found this one before spending $4000 on the other one. the 4K machine has broken a half dozen times already, and although it's covered by a warranty, twice it was like pulling teeth to get them to fix it (had to reverse charges on the Visa). The other times they fixed it right away. But for $4k you would think it would be built better than that.

I've had some electronics. Creating a magnetic field is not rocket science. It is what drives the speaker in a guitar amp, your TV or your computer.

Give me a couple of months on the $600 unit. First to scrape up the money, then to evaluate it. I'll keep the thread going.

Bob

#33 - Dec. 28, 2012, 6 p.m.

DeanaMaye

Thanks for the reply. I also forgot about my bad knees–I live on joint remedies, try things that are as natural as possible. This machine might also help with my knees, which my orthopedic told me I wore them out from playing ball, tennis, etc. over the years. He told me about 3 and 1/2 years ago that I was past due for replacements. But I keep taking my joint remedies and that I think has helped keep me going this long. I'll be watching for more posts.

#34 - Dec. 28, 2012, 11:04 p.m.

BobbyBoomer

In 2005 I thought I was going to need a hip replacement. I couldn't drive a mile without a “blue ice” pack behind my hip and I couldn't walk 2 blocks without sitting down for a few minutes.

I started the arthritis/bursitis diet as recommended by a doctor at Life Extension Foundation. That reduced the pain quite a bit. But never completely took it away. At least it kept the inflammation from getting worse, and I think kept it from increasing the damage. It was to a point where it went from debilitating to only a minor pain in the hip.

You might want to consider this, as it can stop the progression of the damage. (Note: I'm not a doctor and not qualified to give medical advice – check with your health professional to see if this is OK for you).

From LEF:
For both arthritis and bursitis, treatment is similar:

Try the dietary approach first, and if that doesn't work, take stronger action.

Foods that may contribute to chronic inflammation are foods with a high glycemic index (foods that convert to sugar quickly), such as fruit juices, sugars, simple starches, or rice cakes, foods heavy in polyunsaturated or saturated fats, and foods high in arachidonic acid. Some specific foods to avoid are:

* Fatty cuts of red meat (high in saturated fats)
* Organ meats: liver, kidney, and so forth (high in arachidonic acid)
* Egg yolks (high in arachidonic acid)
* Pasta (high glycemic index)
* Juices (high glycemic index)
* Rice, especially rice cakes (high glycemic index)
* White bread (substitute whole grain breads such as rye or whole wheat)
* Nightshade Plants bother many people (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, paprika)

Glycemic index charts can be found on the Internet.

Better choices are foods with a low glycemic index and foods that are heavy in monounsaturated fats. Some specific good foods are:

* Salmon and other fish
* Oatmeal
* Fresh fruits and vegetables
* Olives and olive oil
* Peanuts and other nuts
* Whey proteins

Then the PEMFt machine seems to improve the condition. I no longer have any pain at all in my hip, and hands are almost better (if I can quit jamming them).

After the PEMFt, I quit taking massive quantities of SAMe, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM. That saves me a lot of money. I still take Curcumin, as it is good for other things and supposedly an anti-cancer compound as well.

I'm still on the diet, as it is anti-inflammatory, and I also lost weight on it, but the PEMF turned the good results of the diet into almost “good as new”. And a hip replacement is the farthest thing from my mind now.

Good luck.

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#35 - Dec. 29, 2012, 4:06 a.m.

Thanks to all for their continuing contributions.

I've become less sure about PEMFt in the last couple of months, but not because I've tried it directly. However, I have used, on and off, what I think is an allied technology - Pulsed Beck Machine. This involves strapping an electrode on to either one's ankles or wrists, and sending pulsed currents at 4 or 10 Hz around one's body for 15' to 60'.

I have cancer (and high blood pressure), and track my lifestyle factors daily. I then analyse these against cancer markers, to see what helps and what worsens my cancer. Of the many things that correlate with my cancerousness getting worse is this pulsed EMF. So for me, I'll not be using the PEMFt that's being reported on here - even tho' I suspect it can be veery useful for other illnesses.

Best wishes, Z

#36 - Dec. 29, 2012, 11:13 a.m.

BobbyBoomer

Sorry to hear about your health challenges.

If you mean this: http://www.cancertutor.com/Cancer02/BobBeck.html (Blood Purifier or Blood Electrification) it seems to be a very different approach.

The devices I'm using send no electric current through your body like the Beck unit does, but instead a magnetic field through your body.

From my ancient AC/DC theory classes in college, while electricity and magnetism are indeed related, they are definitely not interchangeable. Plus the Beck 4Hz frequency isn't ideal for what I'm trying to do. According to the NASA and other studies, 9.6Hz is supposedly best for nerve generation and joint repair.

On the other hand, I would not recommend anything to someone with a serious condition such as yours. If you are under the care of health professionals, everything should be cleared through them before trying it. So don't get me wrong, I'm not recommending anything for anybody, but like you, trying to find my own path with the help of the on-line community.

I'm in my upper 60s, on no prescriptions, and all my blood work comes back in the preferred range. If what I'm doing isn't right for me, I made the choice and will be responsible for my own outcome. What I'm doing does seem right for me as I've had very positive results, but what is right for one does not necessarily mean it is right for any others.

Good luck with your journey, take care of your self, and I truly hope you find your personal path to wellness.

Bobby

— Last Edited by BobbyBoomer at 2012-12-29 11:14:52 —

#37 - Dec. 29, 2012, 12:18 p.m.

Hi Bobby,

I realise that Beck & varying mag fields are different (I'm an electrical engineer); and so accept their actions may have quite different effects. And so I wasn't opposed to giving the mag field a try (there is an additional mag field generator sold by some of the Beck providers - I have that too, but never used it (yet). I was just writing my own cautions.

As to consulting medical professionals; I do that with great caution. Alas, their experience of CAM (Complimentary & Alternative Medicine) is so poor as to be useless for advice. They're not even too good at their own specialisms even - the first four experts (surgeons & oncologists) gave me only weeks to live after my initial diagnosis (5+ years ago). So I decide, after listening to them plus much reading. They don't have the investment in my continued life that I have (I'm 76 now); not that they're not sincere, just too often plain wrong.

Best wishes, Z

#38 - Dec. 29, 2012, 7:31 p.m.

BobbyBoomer

I agree that medical pros don't always know everything there is to know, and especially don't know about anything that isn't FDA approved - and FDA works for Big Pharma, NOT for the citizens of the US.

However, whatever you do may affect what your doctor is doing so as long as you are seeing doctors, I think they should know what you are doing.

When I first started hearing about PEMF, I thought it was “snake oil” simply because the claims are to cure too many different diseases. I tried it because it didn't cost much to try, and my brother-in-law, the world famous surgeon said it wouldn't hurt (in fact they use PEMF to heal bones). But then when my joints started feeling better and surprisingly my eyesight got better I started to think there must be something to it.

BTW, I studied to get an A.S. degree in Electronics Technology many years ago. The counselor advised me to take the RF option because Digital was not widely used and there was no demand for that. Little did he know what was going to happen down the road.

I became a Cable TV Field Engineer (glorified technician) and after 5 years they laid off up to 15 years along with everyone else in the industry. I went back to playing music for a living and never looked back.

So my understanding of electronics is both basic and ancient. But better than none at all.

I also am reluctant to give anyone advice, thus the check with your doctor statement. I'm willing to take some calculated risks with myself, but I don't want to be responsible for anyone else's health. It's too much of a risk and I wouldn't feel good if any advice I gave was taken to heart and it caused someone harm because of their individual challenges.

Other than the allergy that damaged my hearing, I'm in excellent health and because I know that no doctor knows it all, I seek alternative means to health, like PEMF.

Doctors are just ‘body mechanics’, they try to fix bodies with the tools they have, the knowledge they have and their own individual instinct and talent in the field. Some are good, some not so good, some quacks. But in the long run, I am responsible for my own health, including what advice I listen to from both the medical profession and alternative opinions. So far, so good. I hope I can keep this up.

I monitor myself and decide what is working and what is not. PEMF is working for me, my wife, and others, but I can't assume it will work for everybody.

I freely share what I find out, but never want it to be construed to be medical advice. I could be wrong.

Still considering that $600 machine. I just might spring for it next month.

Bob

#39 - Dec. 29, 2012, 7:43 p.m.

Looks like we're somewhat similar, both in background and approach to health. However, in my case, it's my wife that does the music.

Whilst I agree re caution about ‘advice’, in truth we're all responsible for our own decisions - whether we know it or not (and letting the docs decide is also deciding ….).

I let my docs know about what I'm up to (they're surprisingly indifferent generally). I sit on a national cancer committee, and even there they're not really interested in what I'm up to. Odd. But I just plug on with spreading the message via my blog - which gets about 150 hits/day world-wide. Not biggy, but spreading.

Best wishes, Z

#40 - Jan. 5, 2013, 12:24 a.m.

DeanaMaye

Hi, my computer has been out of commission for several days, it just got back to usable. Bobby, my diet has been pretty much the same as yours, and I take all the nutrients that you mentioned, except, I have never tried SAM-E. I do take many other healthy alternative nutrients as well as regular vitamins and minerals. Glad to be able work on my computer again so I can keep following your information. Keep it up.

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