Hi All,

I don't mean the kind with 4 wheels, but Electromagnetic field therapy. A neighbor invited people from our community (retirement) to come over and try hers. She says it helps her pain levels lessen, and that she sleeps better and wakes up with more energy.

I tried it, and didn't really "feel" anything while I was on the pad. There is a little round "hockey puck" that goes under your arms to help your lymph system. I got a slight headache when using that, but felt fine when it was off. The effects last about 12 hours, she says, so you use it twice a day.

I used it in the evening, and slept well that night. Woke up the next morning with less pain.

I'm tempted to buy one if I can get enough feedback that it really works. They are insanely expensive- $4000. to $6000.

Anyone have any thoughts or info. on this?

Thanks,

MaddyL.

I have used PEMF systems Both the iMRS (Bemer competitor) and a cheaper local applicator. I was interested in it because I tried the iMRS pad competitor to the BEMER and it did easen up my muscles. Heres what I think after seeing these devices in action & with my own use.

- Science behind it is solid and it does work. For instance, I got a bad allergic rash on my hand from some insect bites. I used PEMF for some 10-15 min and it reduced the inflammation by a significant amount.

-There is no surety that plonking a huge amount of money on a pad will become the "magic pill" that cures your TOS. So, if you can, rent one & use it for a while and see if it makes a tangible difference to your life & then take it.

IMO, TOS has structural issues to it - posture, muscle weakness, existing impingements. One needs to fix those as well and not just rely on PEMF (or any other therapy). PEMF is an adjutant and not the primary solution. It can help in reducing muscle spasms and improving your circulation & overall immunity.

- Do your research. IMO, just two categories amongst the pad and local application segments - earth based intensities (ostensibly safer) and high power ones. Dr Pawluk MD claims both are equally safe. His website is a good resource on what all systems are available. Go with what works for you, but don't overstress over the claims of each that its better than the other. IMO, all of them are busy slagging each other Bemer vs iMRS vs QRS- try them all and see what works. I tried the iMRS but Bemer says it has German research behind its circulation; QRS has a richer history of patents, and research. All three are broadly similar IMO.

-PEMF is a game of inches. It works at the cellular level and really helps with circulation, and reducing inflammation but its effects are gradual and additive. Its not (unless you use one of the real high power systems) going to make you go painfree (100 to 50 or 30) overnight. I have tried the higher power local applicators and the iMRS & they do reduce muscle tension.

I had a real bad muscle ache once. And i used PEMF, it went real down. My PT who was treating me asked what the heck did I do (he was using myofascial techniques and was wondering - so I know it was not a placebo effect). I had used around 300-400 Micro Tesla on the IMRS from the pad applicator (around its highest levels) on my neck and upper back. I think it reduced my levator, trap spasms by an amount. Now, do note that they did come back by the next day, so unless one fixes the root cause, its not a magic pill (unless its just overstressed nerves from a muscle spasm which wont let go, causing a circular issue).

Worth a try, but please try before you buy.

Also note that the earth based systems are at the micro Tesla level. The high power ones are at higher levels - we are talking of milliT and below. So 1000 times stronger. More need not be more, but at the same time, some people respond to stronger levels, its all about your own body and tolerance.

IMO, one should generally manage with less, so why take a very high power system when you are going to use it less. Price matters. Bemer & iMRS are both MLM (multi level marketing) based products. That doesn't mean they don't work but they are expensive. QRS might be lesser priced and less fancy, but might work as well. I don't know how good Bemer and QRS are since I didn't have the opportunity to use them. Note I am product agnostic. I have used iMRS but that doesn't mean I'd whack the other products. Don't go purely by product supporting websites which push one above the other by saying zonks! i have this, that guy doesn't! At the end of the day, its your body and what works for you.
So if Bemer is what you can access and it works, go ahead!!

But generally, if you can, instead of purchasing, rent at least two types of machines for a month each and see if they actually work. The science behind these devices exists & they are not as contentious, as say, acupuncture.

The reason for trying out devices over the long term (at least a week or two) is that placebo effect is strong and long trials cut the fog away. Having said that, those of us in chronic pain are usually very attuned to our bodies and can quickly determine if something is working or not. So in short, be cautiously optimistic and trust your body.