Electromagnetic Therapy
The electromagnetic therapy uses – unlike magnetic field therapy – pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) generated by electric currents.
The electromagnetic therapy utilizes – in contrast to magnetic field therapy – pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) generated by electrical currents. These are high-frequency magnetic fields created by electronic devices that specifically target the body.
Frequency and Intensity: Compared to conventional magnetic field therapy, electromagnetic therapy often employs higher frequencies and variable magnetic field strengths that can be modulated to reach different tissue depths and biological processes.
Areas of Application: Electromagnetic therapy is commonly used in rehabilitation, for pain management, tissue regeneration, and wound healing. It also has applications in treating muscle injuries, neuropathies, and bone healing. Some applications even address mental disorders such as depression through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Differences between magnetic field and electromagnetic therapy in detail
Magnetic field therapy utilizes static or slowly pulsing magnetic fields, while electromagnetic therapy relies on the generation of pulsing fields through electric currents.
The magnetic field therapy mainly uses low-frequency or static fields, while electromagnetic therapy utilizes high-frequency fields.
The electromagnetic therapy can penetrate deeper into the tissue and is often used for more complex conditions or intensive healing processes.
Both therapy forms have their specific advantages, and the choice between them often depends on the precise health needs and the desired therapeutic goal.
Forms of Electromagnetic Therapy
There are different forms of Electromagnetic Therapy that utilize varying wavelengths, frequencies, and field strengths to achieve therapeutic effects in the body. The main forms can be roughly categorized into the following groups:
Description: PEMF therapy utilizes low-frequency, pulsating magnetic fields generated by electrical currents. These fields penetrate the tissues and act at the cellular level.
Applications: Pain relief, bone healing, promotion of blood circulation, treatment of inflammation, muscle and tissue regeneration.
Therapeutic Use: PEMF is commonly used for sports injuries, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and wound healing.
Description: TMS uses high-frequency magnetic fields that are directed at specific areas of the brain. This form of electromagnetic therapy affects the central nervous system.
Applications: Treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s), migraines, and in rehabilitation following strokes.
Therapeutic Use: TMS is primarily applied in psychiatry and neurology to modulate brain function.
Description: This therapy uses electromagnetic fields at a frequency that corresponds to the resonance frequency of body cells. The goal is to activate cellular functions and metabolic processes.
Areas of Application: Pain relief, wound healing, cell regeneration, improvement of microcirculation.
Therapeutic Use: MRS is used for general health promotion as well as for the treatment of pain and degenerative diseases.
Description: In TENS therapy, electrical impulses are delivered through electrodes placed on the skin’s surface. These impulses stimulate the nerves, thereby alleviating pain.
Areas of Application: Pain treatment for back pain, joint pain, nerve injuries, chronic pain, and postoperative pain.
Therapeutic Use: Commonly used in pain therapy, particularly for chronic pain and neurological issues.
Description: Diathermy uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves (shortwave or microwave) to heat tissue. This improves circulation and metabolism in the treated areas.
Areas of Application: Muscle pain, joint complaints, rheumatic diseases, sports injuries.
Therapeutic Use: This form of therapy is particularly used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation to relieve deep-seated muscle and joint pain.
Description: TTF utilizes low-frequency electric fields that target tumor cells. These fields disrupt cell division and thereby slow down tumor growth.
Areas of Application: Treatment of certain types of cancer, particularly glioblastomas (a type of aggressive brain tumor).
Therapeutic Use: Used in oncology as an adjunct therapy alongside chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Description: In whole-body electrotherapy, low-frequency electromagnetic fields are applied to the entire body. The goal is to stimulate the nervous system and metabolism, and to support the healing process.
Applications: Stimulation of the entire body, improvement of circulation, pain relief, enhancement of cell regeneration.
Therapeutic Use: Often used for chronic conditions, to increase well-being, and to improve physical recovery after stress or illness.
Description: This form of therapy utilizes electromagnetic fields to support the healing of gum diseases and the regeneration of tissue in the oral cavity.
Areas of Application: Gum diseases, bone regeneration, healing after surgical procedures in the mouth.
Therapeutic Use: Helps accelerate wound healing and the regeneration of gums and bone.
Description: EMS therapy uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles. This method is commonly used in sports to improve muscle function and promote muscle development.
Application Areas: Muscle building, rehabilitation after injuries, improvement of muscle tension.
Therapeutic Use: Used in both fitness and rehabilitation settings to treat muscle weakness or improve muscle tone.
Description: Unlike dynamic electromagnetic therapies, this method uses static magnetic fields to achieve therapeutic effects.
Areas of Application: Chronic pain, joint disorders, inflammation.
Therapeutic Use: This therapy is less intense than PEMF or TMS, but is often used for general pain relief and to promote healing.
Classification of Electromagnetic Pelvic Floor Training
Type of magnetic fields
The electromagnetic pelvic floor training utilizes high-frequency electromagnetic impulses that are focused on the pelvic floor muscles. These impulses stimulate the nerves and lead to contractions of the muscles in the pelvic floor area.
Frequency
Unlike low-frequency PEMF methods, this training uses high-frequency electromagnetic fields (often in the range of several hundred Hz) to specifically promote muscle contractions and strengthen the pelvic floor.
Applications
This therapy is used for urinary incontinence, pelvic floor weakness, and for the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor disorders after pregnancies or in older age. It can also be utilized to improve sexual function or in rehabilitation after surgeries in the pelvic area.
Comparison to Other Electromagnetic Therapies
- EMS and FMS: While classic electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) sends electrical impulses to the muscles through electrodes, electromagnetic pelvic floor training uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate the muscles specifically, without the need for direct skin contact through electrodes.
- Targeted Muscle Stimulation: In contrast to PEMF therapies, which are often used for pain relief or promoting healing, electromagnetic pelvic floor stimulation explicitly aims to strengthen and train muscle function in the pelvic floor area.
Overall, electromagnetic pelvic floor training can be considered a specific form of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) that utilizes high-frequency electromagnetic fields for muscle stimulation and focuses on the targeted strengthening of the pelvic floor musculature.