Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency mats, or “PEMF mats,” are an increasingly popular alternative wellness tool, working to address everything from pain relief to improvement of sleep quality. PEMF technology has been around for several decades, since at least the 1950’s, and today it is being integrated into use-at-home devices.
PEMF for at home use is gaining in popularity due to its portability and ease of integration into daily life. PEMF has previously been used in medical settings such as clinics or doctor’s offices, and now extremely low EMF which shows benefit is being offered for in-home use at much more affordable price points.
An invisible pollution that we are bathed in daily is electronic pollution. This is also Electromagnetic Frequency, however much of the electronic pollution around us that is man-made is at a much higher frequency than anything we are exposed to in nature. Waterfalls can produce air electricity, and the earth itself operates on a frequency known as the Schumann resonance of 6.8Hz. WiFi operates at 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz, where:
One Ghz = One BILLION Hz
Our PEMF mats operate between 3Hz and 23Hz, which are similar to frequencies commonly found on earth that our bodies are accustomed to being exposed to. The Schumann Resonance of 7.8Hz is also called “Earth’s Heartbeat” and appears to be generated by lightning strikes in the atmosphere. When you hear about the health benefits of “grounding,” this refers to exposing your skin to the Schumann Resonance by placing bare feet on grass or on sand at the beach, allowing your body to send the 7.8Hz through your system. NIH has shown improved healing and reduced inflammation benefits of grounding proactice.
Our bodies are electrical beings, and these exposures to extremely low, natural, magnetic frequencies may help reset our nervous system to a state of equilibrium, especially after our regular exposure to frequencies significantly higher than these frequencies. In particular, WiFi, cell phones, laptops, kitchen appliances, televisions, all operate at much higher frequencies and may be interfering with our nervous system.
Let's dive into how Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency (PEMF) Mats work, their benefits, and what you should know about safety.
What Are PEMF Mats?
PEMF mats emit low electromagnetic pulses that stimulate your body's cells. The idea behind it is simple: the pulses help your cells function well to heal and improve your body, theoretically resetting your electrical signals to a natural state and promoting your biological healing processes. Many use these mats for recovery after workout sessions, pain relief, or even sleep assistance.
The mats work on emitting low-frequency electromagnetic waves, which circulate through the body. This aids in increasing blood circulation, reducing inflammation, and speeding up recovery. It's like giving your body that little extra help to heal more quickly and efficiently.
How Do PEMF Mats Work?
Electromagnetic mats send pulses of electromagnetic energy through your body. When these pulses interact with your cells, they make them work more efficiently. Stimulating your cells improves your body's natural healing process. Tissue repair, reduced inflammation, and improved blood flow are some ways in which Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy can aid the body.
They are an all-natural, noninvasive aid in reducing discomfort for people who are experiencing chronic pain or muscle aches. Others also use them as a recovery tool after exercise since they might help minimize the loss in muscle fatigue and hasten recovery.
Are PEMF Mats Safe for Daily Use?
PEMF therapy is generally safe with a few contraindications for use. The electromagnetic pulses emitted are noninvasive and low-frequency, which means there aren’t commonly known adverse effects when used correctly. Many studies have demonstrated that PEMF therapy can be safe and effective when used according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Just as with all wellness devices, it must be used with guidelines.
Certain precautions should be taken into account before proceeding with PEMF therapy.
These precautions are recommended for safe therapy because there is not enough scientific evidence to show the side effects and contraindications of PEMF therapy (in general, we do not do scientific testing during pregnancy, for example). This is why we ask you to consult with a medical professional before using if you have any of the conditions below:
- Pregnancy
- Tuberculosis
- Juvenile diabetes
- Acute viral diseases
- Mycosis
- Cardiopathy
- Tumors
- Severe arrhythmias
- Pacemaker wearers
- Children
- Wearers of magnetizable prostheses
- Acute infections
- Epilepsy
Children
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) stimulate the cell membrane by promoting certain biophysical processes. The various effects include bone calcification and increased blood circulation in the treated area. This is why PEMF therapy is contraindicated for children who have not yet completed their growth phase.
If you are considering PEMF therapy for your child, we recommend that you consult your doctor to find out if it is safe for him/her to have the therapy
Pacemakers
If you use a pacemaker, PEMF therapy could be dangerous because the electromagnetic fields could interfere with the proper functioning of your pacemaker. There are new pacemakers on the market that have no contraindications. Make sure your device falls into this category by consulting your doctor to avoid unwanted effects with PEMF therapy.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, we advise you to consult your doctor to ensure that electromagnetic fields are not harmful to your baby’s health. This warning is given because to date there are no clinical studies carried out on pregnant patients that show contraindications of PEMF therapy during pregnancy.
PEMF mat frequency easily passes through all material including stone, with the exception of metal which can disrupt the flow of the current. Therefore, be careful to eliminate or remove larger metal you may be wearing such as a belt buckle or very large, heavy necklaces. It is also advised to remove any keys or credit cards from your pockets.
There are no known significant side effects associated with the therapy, nor are there any reports of problems associated with excessive exposure to the electromagnetic fields generated by the device. In fact, it is possible to treat specific conditions such as osteoporosis, even for up to 8 hours a day.
Benefits of PEMF Mats
Pain relief: Pain relief is the top reason that people use PEMF mats. Whether you experience chronic pain, arthritis, or muscle soreness, these mats improve circulation and reduce inflammation. Even ten minutes of exposure to the grounding frequency has demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammation.
Better Sleep: PEMF mats promote relaxation. The gentle electromagnetic pulses may help your body relax and prepare for sleep if you have trouble falling or staying asleep, which could result in deeper and more restorative sleep. You can select the meditative frequency to expose your brain to wavelengths promoting a calm state of the nervous system.
Increased Metabolism: PEMF mats can increase your basic metabolic rate by stimulating cells to have more energy.
Post-Surgial Recovery: PEMF therapy has been tested in post-surgical procedures such as ACL reconstruction surgery and demonstrated benefit to post-surgical patients.
More Energy: PEMF mats can further boost your energy level. Strong blood circulation and proper cellular system functions may further enhance your energy levels and general good health. Many people have reported feeling refreshed, awake, and focused after they use a pulsed electromagnetic mat, especially at times when they require an energizing boost to get them through the day. Select the alert and focused frequency to improve your mental acuity while working.
Improved Mood: The removal of stress and anxiety and better mood through the relaxing action of the PEMF mat, as many users seem to experience, is believed to feel more relaxed and hopeful. In addition, some users further report that frequent sessions with the mats tend to leave them feeling more clear and emotionally balanced.
Before PEMF: Red blood cells are clustered restricting surface area for optimal oxygen and nutrient delivery. Restricts circulation through capillaries. Arrowed cell is a white blood cell much smaller in size and restricted
After PEMF: Red blood cells are de-clustered and fluid allowing them to deliver oxygen and nutrients more effectively. White blood cell is also free flowing and almost doubled in size!
How to use PEMF Mats
Setup and use of a PEMF mat is simple, and we always ask new users to note their experience with the device to ensure their body is responding comfortably. You may choose to start with a shorter exposure time such as 10-20 minutes before increasing your use time.
A full-sized mat can be set on any flat surface such as a bed, chaise, sofa, or the floor. Some users do sleep on a PEMF mat and a sheet can easily be placed over the mat as the currents will pass through fabrics.
A chair-sized mat can be used in a flat position or folded and placed on a chair or sofa, making it the perfect companion for working while treating yourself to infrared and PEMF therapy. There is a natural “seam” in the chair-sized mat that allows for an easy fold if you would like to use in a seated position.
Select your preferred pulsing mode and infrared heat temperature, and press start to begin your treatment cycle. The thermostat will display the surface temperature of the unit, increasing until it reaches your set desired temperature. The temperature display will switch to the lower, room temperature to begin and slowly increase until reaching your desired level.
The Healtheory’s PEMF mat pulses the selected low frequency for the first 10 minutes of use, followed by 100 minutes with no pulsing and just activation of the infrared heat function. You can test the locations of the magnetic frequency with the small metal chip included in each device that you can hover over the mat to demonstrate the current. The chip will ‘dance’ when you pass the plastic container over an area emitting the low frequency.
Powering off and restarting the PEMF mat will restart a second 10 minute electromagnetic session, or waiting until the first 110 minutes complete in which case a new 10 minute pulsing cycle will commence.
See your healthcare provider before using a PEMF mat if you are pregnant or have a health condition or have any other questions or concerns about the technology. The NIH also has several studies available on PubMed documenting benefits of PEMF if you have additional questions.
The Healtheory's PEMF Mats: Your Reliable Option
At The Healtheory, we offer quality PEMF mats known to be practical, safe, and designed for daily, prolonged (multi-hour) use. Whether you want to reduce your pain, enhance your sleep, or boost your energy, our mats easily and naturally work toward improving your health. A pulsed electromagnetic mat can be a perfect addition to your life to heal your body naturally without any kind of medication or invasive treatment.
PEMF therapy is among the safest home therapies.
If done consistently (at least 2-4 hours a day for at least 45-90 days, depending on the condition), it brings many benefits and reduces pain and inflammation.
As with all therapies, there are warnings concerning use, all of which can be found in the user manual of each individual device.
Always remember that we are evaluating a therapy carried out with medical devices designed for home use. For this reason, it is recommended to consult your doctor if you have any further questions about whether this therapy is right for you.