Regenerative medicine is a revolutionary approach to healing chronic pain. Rather than merely masking the pain with dangerous and addictive medications, regenerative medicine zeroes in on the source of the pain and treats chronic disease or degenerative conditions by creating healthy, living tissue that replaces the existing, damaged tissue. While there are many different regenerative approaches, we utilize the following four methods: Ozone, Ozone Clot Matrix, Stem Cells, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF). While Ozone, OCM, and OCM + Stem Cell therapies are non-surgical, injection-based therapies, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy is a different approach that is used in conjunction with these therapies to augment the restorative process once it is started.
How Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Works
Electricity is everywhere, including our bodies. If the electrical currents in our body go awry, the results can be hazardous. For example, a normal resting heart rate is between 60-90 beats per minute. Our heart is a muscle containing specific cells that generate an electrical pulse to cause the heart to contract at the right pace and in the right rhythm. During a heart attack, these cellular electrical impulses aren’t working properly, and they cause the heart to beat irregularly. That is why, during an emergency in which someone’s heart is beating dangerously irregularly or has stopped beating altogether, an automated external defibrillator (AED) will be used to lend an electrical shock to “jump start” a person’s heart. Electric currents quite literally keep us alive!
It’s not just the heart that is impacted by electricity. Each of our cells has an electric charge and is specialized to conduct electric current. If these electric currents are disrupted or the charge of our cells is not optimal, our body cannot function properly or heal itself. Without properly energized cells, our bodies can experience chronic pain, fatigue, and illness.
PEMF involves placing a ring, paddle, or pad which uses a resonating magnetic field (RMS) over the site of pain or injury. The device emits low-level electromagnetic pulses which pass through the skin and penetrate into organs, bones, muscles or tendons. This pulse interacts with our cellular metabolism in a way that creates an energy boost in the cell. This energy boost helps low-energy cells to function more healthily.
To recognize how Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy works on a cellular level, it is important to understand how the cell operates. Each cell in the body is made up of various specialized structures. One of these structures is the mitochondria which acts like a battery or the “powerhouse” of the cell. The mitochondria are like any other part of our body and can be healthy or unhealthy. PEMF’s vary in frequency range and complexity, strength or intensity, types of stimulator, and waveform. Their ability to focus on specific frequencies helps fine-tune the mitochondria of the cell, guiding them back into optimal performance. Similar to the way your body gets a boost of energy as you become more fit, the mitochondria also experience an up-tick in energy. It is much like each of the cell’s batteries are becoming “recharged.” This process aids the cell in removing toxins, lowers cellular stress caused by free radicals, and increases the production of ATP, the molecule that stores and transports energy within the cell. Likewise, as these newly energized cells replicate, they produce other healthy cells. This has important and often drastic effects on the body’s ability to recover and heal itself.
One of the benefits of PEMF is that it can work on many different types of tissue. Since it works on a cellular level, it can be used to focus in on healing something as specific as a pulled muscle or as broad as the cellular rejuvenation of an entire body system. It is also used to alleviate pain and inflammation, improve circulation, energy levels, and sleep quality, and promote cellular detoxification and regeneration.
PEMF and Ozone, Ozone Clot Matrix, and OCM + Stem Cell Therapies
Ozone, OCM, and OCM + Stem Cell are all therapies that work on the cellular level. Ozone therapy stimulates cellular metabolism, helping the immune system along as it begins the healing of the body. Ozone-Clot Matrix therapy uses both ozone therapy and platelet rich plasma therapy to capitalize on the healing capacities of both therapies. When Stem Cell therapy is added to this, the ability for the body to heal itself is augmented even more, given stem cell’s unique capacity to repair and renew various types of cells in the body. Each of these therapies works on the cellular level, so it makes sense that PEMF therapy would be used to bolster the effects of each of these treatments. Since PEMF energizes cells at the mitochondrial level, allowing them to function at their healthiest, PEMF is another tool for ensuring that the cells being targeted in these various therapies are provided with the most healing support possible. This is especially important in the regeneration of cells, as it facilitates the growth of healthy, new cells as well. The powerful coupling of these therapies gives your body a better fighting chance as it works to heal itself.
What is a PEMF session like?
Every patient’s situation and needs are different. PEMF devices vary and have different settings for frequency and intensity. Your doctor or regenerative medicine specialist will be able to adapt your treatment to your unique needs. Depending on your diagnosis or condition, you may experience different sensations. Most people describe feeling relaxed or rested, while others may feel a tingling sensation in the part of their body being treated.
One of the benefits of PEMF is that it is safe for nearly anyone. Whether young or old, athletic or working on a sustainable fitness plan, PEMF therapy can be used to heal and energize. There are no negative side effects, although it is recommended that you consult with your doctor before seeking PEMF therapy if you are pregnant, epileptic, or use a pacemaker.
How is PEMF different than Static Magnetic Field Therapy?
Static magnetic field therapy, like a magnetic bracelet or mattress pad, is much different from PEMF therapy. Magnets in static magnetic field therapy have a fixed strength and generally a shallow penetration into the body. They cannot seriously impact deeper tissues, and they cannot treat all of the cells of the body at once. In fact, there is no clear proof that static magnetic field therapy helps in a notable capacity.
How is PEMF different than Electrical Stimulation Therapy?
Electrical stimulation, or E-stim, is a therapeutic approach that some physical therapists integrate into rehabilitation programs. It is generally used to treat spasms, pain, muscle weakness, and inflammation. Rather than working on a cellular level like PEMF, E-stim delivers electrical impulses that cause muscles to contract in a way that mimics the natural way they would contract during exercise. It is said to prevent muscle atrophy and build strength in patients who are dealing with injuries. There are several different E-stim modalities, which vary in voltage and frequency, sometimes used in conjunction with medication. Improper use creates risk of muscle tearing, tissue burn, and skin irritation, and there are many conditions that one should not seek E-stim for.
Benefits of PEMF
PEMF is an obvious choice for therapy in conjunction with Ozone, OCM, and OCM + Stem Cell therapies because it enhances cellular regeneration speed, has positive effects on pain reduction, and removes toxins from cells. Beyond that, PEMF can also help the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, and nervous systems. It can improve blood circulation, prevent blood clots, regulate blood pressure, and generally strengthen the cardiovascular system. The ability to enhance the healing of muscle injuries, improve bone density, and reduce arthritic pain and inflammation are a benefit to the muscular and skeletal systems. PEMF’s positive correlation to stress reduction benefits the nervous system and can reduce instances of nervousness, burnout syndrome, and disordered sleep. Additionally, because it improves cellular metabolism, it can help detoxify and energize the whole body. If you are looking for a therapy that will treat the source of the problem rather than merely the symptoms, PEMF may be an important addition to your treatment plan.
Dr. Lundquist is Board Certified in Family Medicine with ABFM and he is sub-specialized with the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABoIM). He has also has received a certification from the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine (ABIHM).
Dr. Lundquist has a special interest in Integrative and Holistic medicine. He is currently the founder and medical director for the Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine specializing in all aspects of Functional Medicine. He is a member of the American Holistic Medical Association as well as the Institute of Functional Medicine. He specializes in endocrine disorders especially thyroid and adrenal dysfunction, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, cardio metabolic disorders, and chronic pain.
info@tcimedicine.com
951-383-4333