People are slowly beginning to understand the array of issues that PEMF therapy can address. I get a lot of questions about how to choose the best PEMF machine. It is confusing to know exactly what to look for, especially since PEMF therapy can benefit almost any health condition if you use the correct device.
From treating acute issues like sprains, fractures, and back pain to helping manage chronic conditions such as arthritis and autoimmune diseases, to improving circulation and cardiac function. PEMF therapy works. And any device will give the user some benefit. But if you may not have the right device for your specific problems. If you don’t use it in the proper way, PEMF therapy might not bring the results you desire.
When you’ve decided PEMF therapy is the route you want to take, and purchase the right PEMF machine for the condition you want to treat, there’s an added bonus. Not only can you use the machine later, for other conditions that may come up. Also, you can also share it with your family and friends. Particularly, if they have issues similar to the one that prompted the purchase in the first place!
Let me be really clear here: there is no one best machine that covers all conditions. Specific health problems require specific treatment. It’s essential to understand exactly what you are using the machine for.
Even when you have a specific diagnosis, there are probably multiple underlying issues that led to this diagnosis. You should discuss everything that’s going on with your health with a medical professional. Therefore, you can discover which system will work best for you.
If you’re focused on the science of PEMFs, I need to tell you that the machines used in research often aren’t available to the average consumer. And the machines that are readily available often haven’t been used, specifically, in research. But that doesn’t mean they can’t help you a great deal! It’s more about understanding the features of the machine, what you will use it for, and what the research says about those specific conditions and magnetic therapies that matters.
One thing that is crystal clear is that you can’t trust the marketing materials put out by a company that represents only one brand of device. The goal of these materials is to entice you to choose their product. Of course they’re going to tell you theirs is the best machine. That’s not about health care, that’s about sales. Manufacturers of specific devices won’t tell you what the machine can’t do. Anyone who tells you that their product is “the best” without knowing what condition you are trying to treat isn’t always looking out for your best interests.
I’ve personally tested dozens of different systems to see how they work. I have specific devices that I recommend because I know exactly which specific, unique conditions they are effective on. I also take into account how portable the device needs to be, as well as another essential aspect — personal budgets. My philosophy is that you should be able to get the best device available at that price.
Manufacturers each have their own philosophy on what PEMF parameters create the most change in the body. Sometimes, these make sense (ie, with frequency and intensity) and sometimes the features highlighted are pure bells and whistles with little actual impact. It’s imperative that the machine you select can actually do what you need it to do – that’s why knowing what to look for is so vital.
When you have a specific problem, you want targeted therapy. Some problems respond better to high intensities while others respond better to low intensities. Likewise, some conditions are best treated with low frequencies, some with high frequencies, and some need a range of frequencies available. The most important consideration when purchasing a PEMF device is will it effectively treat the problem or problems you are purchasing it for? Any additional benefits are just the cherry on top.
There are so many things to think about when you are in the market for a PEMF device. It’s no wonder people get confused – especially when relying on marketing materials rather than a medical professional who has tested numerous devices for different health issues.
Below, I’ve put together some answers to common questions that can help you know what to look for in order to get a machine that does what you are expecting it to do.
There’s a lot of talk about which frequencies are most effective, but the frequency you need depends on the condition you want to treat. In general, chronic issues need a higher frequency, because the problem tends to be rooted much deeper inside the body. Acute problems often respond well to lower frequencies. But because every individual situation is different there are exceptions to this rule — there are a lot of grey areas.
The ability to control frequency settings on a device is particularly important when thinking about the impact on the nervous system. If you plan to use the device for reducing stress and anxiety, pain management, as a sleep aid, or for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or treating the head, it can be very important that you can control the selection of the frequency.
Much of the time, if you have a specific issue, you’ll want to use medium or high intensity to get results. Of all the choices to make about a PEMF machine, intensity appears to matter most, most of the time. If your goal is health maintenance, a very low intensity (under 10 Gauss) system may be all that is needed. High intensity systems tend to work more quickly and effectively, with less time needed for treatment each day. Even they have health maintenance benefits.
No, not much. Some companies will play up waveform, which is why I’m mentioning it at all. There has been research on multiple waveforms, and all have been proven effective. That’s why I don’t spend much time thinking about this particular feature.
For problems that impact your entire body, such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and arthritis (to name just a few), a whole body system is required. For localized problems, a smaller device that can target specific areas is often a better selection. It’s also important to consider your schedule and lifestyle. If you’re always on the move, and it’s difficult to find any time at all to lie on a whole body pad, a more portable device will be a better fit. On the other hand, if health maintenance is your goal, and you have ten minutes twice a day to devote solely to PEMF therapy, a whole body system might be best.
In some units, only one program is available, while others offer several programs based on specific conditions. Some use a “biorhythm clock” as a programming guideline, basing frequencies on the time of day. This is fine as long as you understand what each program does so you can choose the best one for your needs at that moment – especially if you need a higher frequency when the typical program would be a gentler, more relaxing frequency.
Typically, accessories are only an option with half-body or full-body systems. Accessories can be useful, depending on what condition you are treating with PEMF therapy, but PEMF machines can be just as effective without any accessories at all. I would advise against making a decision about a PEMF device solely based on what accessories are available.
The first thing to understand about the FDA is the difference between registration and approval. Registration simply means that the FDA is aware that the item is being imported into the US; it has nothing to do with safety.
Approval doesn’t come with a guarantee of safety either — just think of the number of FDA approved drugs that are later withdrawn from the market. The knowledge that the FDA has approved some PEMF devices does assure us somewhat that the FDA does not consider, in general, that PEMF therapy is unsafe or ineffective, however.
It’s also important to know that many manufacturers don’t even want to be FDA approved. The high cost of seeking FDA approval is one reason. Another is that FDA approval carries the requirement that the product be used only for specific-conditions. Since PEMF devices treat the body at the cellular level, they have a wide range of beneficial uses. Choosing to approve just one application or condition would not be advantageous to either the brand or the consumer.
Finally, remember that most PEMF machines are wellness devices, not medications or medical devices.
The old saying “you get what you pay for,” is true in many cases. If you want quality construction and quality service, the higher priced devices may be your best bet. However, there’s such a huge range in pricing – from $350 to $6,000 or more – that even if you can’t afford the top tier, you can certainly get a device that will benefit your health. Full body systems come at a higher price, but also treat more of the body at once. Generally, the higher intensity devices cost more.
That being said, you can absolutely still reap the benefits of PEMF therapy, even if you need to choose a less expensive unit. It’s just essential that you understand that treatment may take longer, and patience is necessary.
Therapy in a clinical practice setting can be inconvenient and expensive. For some problems, you may need an hour or two of treatment per day – more time than most people want to spend in a practice setting. And even after you feel better, the actual problem may need weeks or months of treatment to heal completely.
A quality PEMF machine is an investment in your health. When you own your own system, it’s available to treat you – and your whole family – in your own environment. When you think about how long a device will last, the price per day value is exceptional. It’s far less than you’d pay for office visits and prescription refills, especially when treating multiple family members.
Even with all the above information, making a decision on a piece of unfamiliar equipment can be confusing and difficult. I have spent years researching and testing machines so you don’t have to. If you need help selecting the right PEMF machine for your needs, call our medical office at (866) 455-7688. Or, visit our website at www.drpawluk.com/consult/ to schedule a consultation. There’s no need to guess. We can guide you to the best device for your needs.
