The internet is flooded with confusing and often misleading information about PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) devices, often posted by salespeople aiming to sell these products. They present impressive videos and use complex formulas attempting to convey that intensity is not significant.
These sales pitches often include difficult terms (like permeability constant, magnetic flux density, coherent fields, etc.) making it hard for laypeople to grasp the information and potentially leading them to believe the claims are valid. Some self-appointed experts claim that the intensity of PEMF devices is not important, but this is not accurate. In this discussion, we will delve into why high intensity is crucial for achieving effective results and why low-intensity PEMF systems fall short.
Pulsed magnetic fields generate small electrical currents in the body. However, the distribution and absorption of these currents depend more on the dielectric properties of various tissues (organs, blood, bones, etc.) rather than on electromagnetic permeability, which can be viewed as a form of resistance to magnetization.
Blood, for instance, behaves like a magnetic fluid due to interactions among cellular proteins, cell membranes, and hemoglobin, with its magnetic properties influenced by factors such as oxygenation saturation levels. Oxygenated blood is paramagnetic, while deoxygenated blood is diamagnetic up to certain levels.
This image exhibits how the dielectric properties of different body tissues determine their penetration depth and the efficacy of induced currents at a pulsing frequency of 10 Hz. The diagram illustrates the significant differences in dielectric properties between body parts such as blood and bone marrow (more than 3.5 times), highlighting the need for higher electrical currents (and intensities) to achieve complete penetration for purposes like bone and cartilage regeneration.
For example, to penetrate deep into the brain (cerebellum), the induced current must be nearly five times higher than what is required for blood circulation to have the desired effect.
Low-intensity PEMF systems lack the ability to penetrate at a cellular level as needed for organs like the heart, kidneys, bones, etc. They only provide superficial effects on the surface, improving blood flow circulation but falling short of addressing deeper tissue issues.