Response to claim that there are no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies published on PEMF or Bemer. First a little history. The Russians began using electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) during their early space explorations was used by the cosmonauts to help reduce the loss of bone density that occurs when they are removed from the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields. Back on Earth, this form of therapy was embraced by Soviet medical doctors, who wanted to use the technology on their patients. Eventually, PEMF therapy spread and began being used in hospitals throughout the Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe, in particular, East Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
The US is about 20 years behind Russia and eastern Europe in terms of knowledge and use of PEMF therapy & devices. Unfortunately, many of the studies on PEMF have been published in smaller Russian and/or European journals that are not indexed in PubMed. Interested parties can contact me for more information at: rosspelton70@gmail.com
Here is the information and link to the publisherd Bemer study which documented that volunteers using Bemer gained a 14% increase in mitochondrial ATP production.
REFERENCE: Kafka WA and Spodaryk K. Effects of extremely weak pulsed electromagnetic field type BEMER 3000 on red blood cell metabolism and hemoglobin oxygen affinity. Fizjoterapia Polska. 2003;11(3). (Fizjoterapia is the Polish Journal of Physiotherapy)
STUDY: In the following study, 20 healthy adult volunteers were divided into 2 groups. One group utilized Bemer daily and the 2nd group utilized a sham-Bemer which served as the placebo group. Treatments were administered 6 days/week for 21 days (total of 18 treatments). Blood samples were taken before starting (D-0) and at day 9 and day 18.
RESULTS: After 21 days (18 treatment sessions), the results revealed that the subjects utilizing Bemer had gained an 18% increase in the production of cellular ATP. This study explains why people have more energy after Bemer sessions. More oxygen delivered to cells which results in an 18% increase in ATP production; cells throughout the body are actually producing more energy.
MITOCHONDDRIA: In healthy individuals, muscle cells have about 200 mitochondria/cell; liver cells contain from 1,000 to 2,000 mitochondria/cell. The heart muscle, which is the most energy-demanding cell in the body, reportedly contain from 5,000 to 8,000 mitochondria/cell.
PEMF STUDIES REPORTING STIMULATION ACTIVITY OF OSTEOBLASTS TO BUILD NEW HEALTHY BONE
- In 1990, an interbody lumbar fusion study was performed on 195 patients. Treatment was for 6-weeks with 180 uT/1.5 Hz electromagnetic field. Treatment resulted in 95% success rate in the PEMF treatment group compared to 65% in the control group.
REFERENCE: Mooney VA. A randomized double-blind prospective study of the efficacy of pulsed electro-magnetic fields for inter body lumbar fusions. Spine. 1990;15(7):708-12.
- 30 individuals with nonunion tibial fracture were treated with PEMF (median treatment period 9 months). Success rate was 83%
REFERENCE: Ito H and Shirai Y. The efficacy of ununited tidal fracture treatment using pulsing electromagnetic fields: relation to biological activity on nonunion bone ends. J Nippon Med Sch. 2001;68(2):149-53.