History of Magnetic Treatments in Medicine
Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields, or PEMF, is a relatively new field being studied, but the use of magnetic fields for medicine can be traced back thousands of years. Around 4000 BC, Vedic texts refer to treatment of disease with magnetized stones called lodestones. In 2000 BC, Chinese physicians developed techniques for using lodestones on acupuncture points, as described in The Yellow Emperor’s Book of Internal Medicine. Even the Egyptian physicians used lodestones with some regularity. Cleopatra was proclaimed to have worn a small magnet in an attempt to preserve her youth. And in ancient Greece, Hippocrates was said to use magnets for pain, and even had healing centers where people lay their heads on lodestones to alleviate their headaches.
In the early 20th century, Nikola Tesla developed the alternating current (AC) electrical system and discovered the rotating magnetic field, now the basis of our electrical grid and most AC machinery. Tesla had an intimate understanding of the relationship between electricity and magnetic fields, and developed ideas for a huge number of inventions we use to this day like dynamos, the induction motor, radar, and remote controls, just to name a few. While the classic electrical device is the Tesla Coil, a lesser-known electrical coil was also invented by Tesla. This is the standard magnetic loop coil seen in all PEMF systems today.
Bioelectromagnetism
In the late eighteenth century, the Italian physician and scientist Luigi Galvani first recorded the phenomenon of bioelectromagnetism while dissecting a frog at a table where he had been conducting experiments with static electricity. Galvani coined the term "animal electricity" to describe the bioelectromagnetism, while later it was re-labeled as galvanism. Galvani regarded muscle activation as resulting from an electrical fluid or substance in the nerves.
Short-lived electrical events called action potentials occur in cells. These action potentials are used to facilitate inter-cellular communication and activate intracellular processes. The physiological phenomena of action potentials are possible because voltage-gated ion channels allow the resting potential caused by electrochemical gradient on either side of a cell membrane to resolve.
Several animals are suspected to have the ability to sense electromagnetic fields; for example, several aquatic animals have structures potentially capable of sensi
ng changes in voltage caused by a changing magnetic field, while migratory birds are thought to use magnetoreception in navigation.
What is PEMF and how does it work?
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a noninvasive technique that stimulates and facilitates healing by directing magnetic fields through tissue, utilizing the movement of electrons to affect the cellular physiology of excitable cells.
PEMF therapy uses bursts of low-level electromagnetic radiation to heal damaged tissues and bone, to relieve injury-related pain, and even to stimulate organs.
The idea is that pulses at low frequencies will pass through the skin and penetrate deep into muscle, bones, tendons, and even organs to activate the cell’s energy and encourage its natural repair mechanisms.
PEMF is catching on as a non-invasive way to approach injuries, chronic pain, and even chronic conditions like depression and diabetes. Magnetic and electromagnetic fields are now recognized by the 21st century medicine as real physical entities that promise the healing of various health problems, even when conventional medicine has failed.
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, as well as pain relief.
Pulsed electromagnetic fields are an important modality in magnetotherapy and recent technological innovations, such as Magnawave pulsed electromagnetic field devices, offer excellent, state-of-the-art controlled therapy system. There is little risk when compared to the potential invasiveness of other therapies and the risk of toxicity, addiction and complications from medications.
Recently, PEMF therapy for the treatment of pain, cancer, epilepsy and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, tendinitis and rheumatoid arthritis, is currently being explored and investigated for both human and animal. Optimistically, EMF therapy has the potential to revolutionize medicine and to provide a noninvasive modality of treatment with low risk of side effects.
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All Creatures Bodyworks uses the latest PEMF technology to treat both animals and humans. We have seen many successes over the years and continually use PEMF on ourselves and loved ones. All Creatures Bodyworks has several Magnawave and BEMER devices designed specifically for horse/animals or humans. While purchasing a machine is a large investment, we offer effective and inexpensive Magnawave treatments in 10 minute intervals, at just $1 per minute for up to 30 minutes.
Learn more about Magnawave for Horses
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