Criteria for an effective device for PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy
Criteria for an effective device for PEMF(pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy
See information at following link to better understand PEMF
waves
Wave shape
and frequency of PEMF waves
For effective therapy, electromagnetic wave energy must be
absorbed by the body
An electromagnetic wave transmits ENERGY from its source.
ENERGY carried by EM wave is proportional to the following 3 factors:
1. Its electric or magnetic
field amplitude squared ( E2 or B2 ).
2. Its frequency
.
3. Its duty cycle
For therapy, the body must be able
to absorb the energy carried by an electromagnetic wave. HOWEVER, the energy
level does not necessarily need to be HIGH to have a therapeutic effect.
E.g. Earth's Schumann field has a strength of only ~ 1 picotesla, which
has numerous beneficial effects on the body's electrical functions; also the Sun's
electromagnetic spectrum has a field strength of ~4000 picotesla at the Earth's
surface, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in the lower epidermis and dermis layers
of the skin absorbs the energy of the sun's UV-B frequency to produce
health-essential vitamin D.
NASA Study (2003) PHYSIOLOGICAL A ND MOLECULAR GENETIC EFFECTS OF TIME-VARYING
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON HUMAN NEURONAL CELLS Thomas J. Goodwin, Ph.D. Lyndon 8.
Johnson Space Center.
pdf
A 4 year, multi-million dollar NASA
study published in 2003 provided some conclusive criteria for effective
energy medicine using time-varying EMFs. This
well-conducted and thorough study investigated the effectiveness of "the
use of a time-varying electromagnetic field for potentiation of the
growth of mammalian cells and tissues " - in particular, this
study examined the growth and regeneration of human neural stem cells.
The study was not limited to PEMFs, but also included sine waves, and
other "energy medicines", including LED's, lasers and static magnetic
fields.
The NASA study found PEMFs to be the most
effective form of energy medicine. The NASA scientists
found that slow (millisecond) pulses
or sine waves, and static magnetic
fields (even with field strengths of ~12000 Gauss i.e. ~1.2 Tesla)
were not as effective as low field strength PEMFs.Finding that these other electrotherapies
were not as efficacious as PEMF therapy, the NASA study moved its focus
to PEMFs.
NASA study also found that LOW frequency,
LOW field strength, RAPIDLY-VARYING PEMFs provided the most effective
therapy compared to alternatives. They found that these
criteria promoted better healing and regeneration of damaged or diseased
tissue, greater cell longevity, accelerated cell growth, improved cellular
transmembrane potentials (mainly observed in nerve cells), and an upregulation
of genes (increases creation of certain gene products) related to collagen
production, cell restoration and growth.
Specifics of NASA study:
Significant growth rate of cells was clearly
demonstrated using a square wave, with a current of 1 - 6
mA, having a frequency spectrum with a fundamental frequency of 10 Hz,
using a variable duty cycle (which is the fraction of one period the
pulse is active, compared to the time between each pulse).
WAVEFORM: Square wave.
"The most effective electromagnetic waveform for
repair of trauma was a square wave with a rapid rate of change (dB/dt)
which saw cell growth increased up to 4.0 times."
By way of confirmation of their findings, the NASA study references
a report by Sandyk et al. of a dramatic improvement in a patient with
progressive degenerative multiple sclerosis when subjected to PEMF treatment
at a frequency of 2-7 Hz and magnetic field strength of 7.5 picoTesla
(much less than the NASA study and closer to the Schumann field intensity
of ~1 picoTesla). (Sandyk, 1992;
NASA, 2003)
FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY (Pulse
rate): 10 Hz. This fundamental
frequency is in line with the frequency of the life-sustaining
Schumann resonance field surrounding the earth, which is also that
of the brain's alpha waves when in a calm, relaxed state.
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD STRENGTH: 1 -
20 µTesla (10 - 200 mGauss ) Neural
cells (excitable cells) were subjected to these extremely low-level
electromagnetic field amplitudes --- i.e. less than half
of the Earth's average geomagnetic static
f ield strength of about 0.5 Gauss (50 µTesla).
Conclusions for criteria for effective PEMF therapy
Waveform
WAVEFORM of EMF should change direction rapidly.
E.g. as in a square wave, impulse or saw-tooth wave; NOT slowly as in a sine
wave or triangle waveform with a wavelength of milliseconds; the fast rise and fall
times of square and saw pulses produce a spread of frequencies, which are multiple
higher, odd harmonics of their fundamental frequency.
These are mathematically described by "Fourier
transforms " - a summation of a sine wave's fundamental frequency and its
harmonic frequencies. The fundamental frequency is the pulse rate.
Dr. Bassett, who introduced the saw-tooth wave in 1974, found that a fast-changing
EMF induces the maximum current in treated bones for accelerated healing.
Frequencies
Whether any part of the body is affected
by EM wave energy depends on whether that body part absorbs its energy --- and that
depends on the FREQUENCIES of, or the harmonics generated by, the wave.
If any life form, body cell /part
or object resonates at a certain frequency it can absorb energy from an EM wave
with that frequency. Resonant processes take place at cellular level (membrane
and/or nucleus) Lerner, E.J., 1984, Biological effects
of electromagnetic fields, IEEE Spectrum, 21: 57.Google
Scholar
Royal Rife discovered that viruses and bacteria could be
deactivated by exposing them to their resonant frequencies.
Energy of th e Schumann
Resonance frequencies in the approx. 8-30 Hz. range were found to be absorbed
by the body by scientists W.R. Adey and Zimmerman. Termed the
"biological window of frequencies" by W.R. Adey, our body's
cells and brain operate / resonate with these frequencies and their higher
harmonics.
The brain operates on 4 distinct frequencies throughout the day, viz.:
• ACTIVE.
Beta (14-30
Hz) : Alert
/energized brain state. Brain is aroused and engaged in mental activity
• CALM.
Alpha
(8-14 Hz). F requency produced by the
brain in a relaxed state (irritability produces
higher frequencies); this is in line with the average resonant frequency of the
Schummann resonance field surrounding the earth.
• CREATIVE.
Theta (4-8 Hz) : Creative / Daydreaming state;
prone to a flow of ideas.
• SLEEP.
Delta (0.5-4 Hz) :
Deep relaxation / Sleep state
The average of the
Fundamental Schumann frequencies
of the Schumann resonance field measured around the earth is 7.83 Hertz. (you
can think of this as the "heartbeat" of the earth). Its primary harmonics
are 14.3, 20.8, 27.3 and 33.8 Hertz.
Specific frequencies in the 0-30 Hz range have demonstrated particular
therapeutic effectiveness for different problems. E.g. 2 Hz has been shown
to aid nerve regeneration, 7Hz stimulates bone growth, 10 Hz repairs ligaments,
and the Schumann frequency (~ 7-8 Hz) has had an overall therapeutic success.
The body also absorbs other natural,
higher frequencies
in order to thrive. In particular, we need sunlight, which provides
us visible light, near infrared, and UV frequencies when we are out in the sun,
which enter and work in our body. These frequencies are extremely high.
E.g. visible light has a frequency range of 430-770 THz (a tera Hertz = 1012
Hz).
Sun's Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic field (EMF) strength
PEMF therapy using
LOW electromagnetic field strengths has established its effectiveness.
The NASA study used pulsed electromagnetic
fields (PEMFs) at 1-20 µT.
Some applications dealing with
ACUTE PAIN use
higher EM field strength PEMFs to yield faster results. E.g. SOTA
Magnetic Pulser (6 Gauss (600 µT) at coil face). Since the body is not
accustomed to these high EM field strengths, they raise some safety concerns,
and it is generally advisable not to use them long-term. From a healing perspective,
the idea of using high EM field strengths is counter to the body's inherent much
lower healing field-strengths. Work continues, but several studies are indeed revealing
that healing, such as bone regeneration, may not take place at EM field strengths
that are too high.
W hen using PEMF
therapy LONG-TERM
(E.g. for regular maintenance), EMF strength
(AMPLITUDE) should probably be in line with those
of the NATURAL EMFs we experience every day:
• Earth's
Schumann Resonance field . As low as 1 picoTesla (i.e. 1,000,000
times lower than the strength of Earth's DC geomagnetic field!).. Our cells
are so sensitive they can pick up signals even at this low intensity.
• The solar
spectrum . Provides a field strength of 1 kW/m2 as the integral
of the solar frequencies from infrared to ultraviolet that reach earth. This is
equivalent to 0.004 µT = ~4000 picoTesla = 4.0 x 10-5 Gauss.
Note that the Earth's geomagnetic field is
essentially a static/constant
field (frequency of 0 Hz) of ~50 uT or
0.5 gauss This magnetic field stores energy, but cannot
emit energy. Since it is not changing, it can
not induce a current. Some organisms display the ability to sense or navigate by
magnetic field (e.g. certain bacteria, insects, birds, molluscs and even some mammals
(e.g. cattle prefer to align themselves with the field when standing in a field
:)
) ). Without knowing the "how",
Caltech and Univ. of Tokyo researchers found evidence that humans have working sensors
able to detect changes in direction of an "Earth-strength" magnetic field and send
signals to the brain, resulting in a reduction of alpha brain waves.
"The alpha rhythm is the dominant human brain oscillation
in the resting state when a person is not processing any specific stimulus or performing
any specific task [...]. When an external stimulus is suddenly introduced and processed
by the brain, the alpha rhythm generally decreases in amplitude."
Dr. Ludwig Wolfgang found that Earth's geomagnetic field is actually not competely
constant, but vibrates to a small degree, as a result of the modulation of 64 trace
elements within the earth's core and crust. The frequency spectrum of these small
variations (at the poles) are 11.79 (fundamental frequency, 16.67, 23.58 and 30.8
Hz. Similar to the Schumann Resonance field, Earth's geomagnetic field
strength changes due to these frequencies is negligible.
What is considered a safe EM field strength?
The INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON NON-IONIZING RADIATION PROTECTION (ICNIRP) is
a world-wide authority on EM energy safety, whose data is relied upon by the U.S.
FDA and EU. The ICNIRP state that limiting safety values for time-varying PEMFs
depend on both frequency and EM field strength.
ICNIRP reference levels for general public exposure to
time-varying magnetic fields. (ICNIRP,
2010) Allowable Limits for exposure to an EM field strength various
fundamental frequencies is:
At 1-8 Hz. Allowable
Limit calculated as 40,000 / Frequency2 uT. E.g. at 4 Hz,
Allowable Limit is 2,500 uT (25 Gauss)
At 10-25 Hz. Allowable
Limit calculated as 5,000 / Frequency uT .
E.g. at 10 Hz, Allowable Limit is 500 uT (5 Gauss);
At 25-300 Hz. 200 uT
(2 Gauss)
These field strength limits refer to continuous exposure,
and therapies typically last only several minutes each day, obviously much reducing
exposure time. Also, these Allowable Limits do not take into
account higher field strength tolerances of head, torso and limbs.
For therapies to be safe: Lower therapy
frequencies allow higher field strength PEMF therapy, and vice versa, higher therapy
frequencies require lower field strength to be used.
EM field strength falls with distance from FIELD SOURCE
Both electric and magnetic field strengths
reduce with distance away from their source. This includes the
EMF-producing coils of therapy devices and the Sun (which is so far
away from us that its field strength is essentially constant when it
reaches us on Earth). The Schumann resonance field is also near
constant strength, but in this case, it is because it is sustained by
continual lightning strikes.
EMF strength reduces with distance away from
an electromagnetic current loop (a.k.a. a coil) . In order to
treat inner organs / tissue, the EM field strength needs to be high
enough when it reaches target tissue in the body. For a loop or coil,
the magnetic field strength (B) drops according to the Biot-Savart Law:
B (x) = μ0 i R2
/ 2 (R2 + x2 ) 3/2
B (x) is the magnetic field strength in Teslas at a distance x meters
from face of loop (or coil); R is radius of loop in meters, and i is
the current in Amps in the current loop. μ0 is the constant 4 π x
10 -7 Henrys / m. The electric field (E) drops off in the same way for
a PEMF therapy (i.e. it has an AC current in a coil).
To determine the EM field strength of a PEMF therapy application
tool, It is necessary to know the loop (or coil) diameter and the EM
field strength at its surface.
Field strength reduction occurs at
high frequency
EMF's due to body's insulating effect
At frequencies below the MHz range
(i.e. most therapeutic frequencies), field strength reduction
due to dielectric losses (the body's
insulating effect) is negligible.
The body's insulating effect at higher
frequencies, such as radio/micro wave frequencies, may reduce
field strength due to
some thermal loss./span>
RF ranges from 20kHz to 300 GHz, and
microwave frequencies range from 300 MHz. to 300 G Hz. field strength
References Adey, W.R. Frequency and Power Windowing in Tissue
Interactions with Weak Electromagnetic Fields, Proceedings of IEEE 68, 119-125
Ganesan K, et al (2009) Low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field - A viable
alternative therapy for arthritis. Indian J. of Exp. Biol. 47:939-948;
Linknk
ICNIRP (2010) GUIDELINES FOR LIMITING EXPOSURE TO TIMEâ€VARYING ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC
FIELDS, P. 827. Table 4.
Link
NASA Study (2003) PHYSIOLOGICAL A ND MOLECULAR GENETIC EFFECTS OF TIME-VARYING
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON HUMAN NEURONAL CELLS Thomas J. Goodwin, Ph.D. Lyndon 8.
Johnson Space Center.
Link to NASA Study
PEMF - The Fifth Element of Health (2013) Bryant A. Meyers
Sandyk R (1992a): Clinical Case Report - Successful treatment
of multiple sclerosis with Prewett TL, Goodwin TJ, Spaulding GF (1993): Three-dimensional
modeling of T-24 human magnetic fields. J Neurosci 66:237-250