We and all other living creatures are fundamentally electric in nature. We live in the world which has a natural magnetic field and there is the global “Schumann” electromagnetic field resonances (vibrations). Our bodies naturally interact with the earth's magnetic fields and has historically evolved to be in balance with this natural phenomena. Magnetic fields affect our body chemistry at a cellular level. Here are a devices you can use at our clinic and/or at home to help you become more balanced.
How PEMF Therapy Works
Pulsed Electro Magnetic Frequency
The key purpose with PEMF Therapy is to regulate “to put in good order” normal functions. This is as compared to many other therapies which is to try to “Block” some undesirable effect.
Many people are aware of the negative effects Electro Magnetic Fields have but it is important to understand not all Electro Magnetic fields are bad and in the case of PEMF therapy we are using them to recharge our cells.
Each cell in the body has its own small electromagnetic field with all our cells operating between around 0-30Hz.
The Earth also has a magnetic field fundamental resonance frequency which is usually around 7.83Hz which is referred to the Schumann Frequency and this is the type of magnetic field our bodies have evolved to operate properly in.
The problem is with increasing technology our world is getting filled with electromagnetic pollution that is filled with higher frequency electromagnetic fields our bodies are unable to properly function with and is making us unhealthy.
Bad EMF's can cause the following in our bodies:
Hypertension
Inflammation
Radiation damage
Cell death
Cancer
Reduced melatonin ( sleep) hormone
Disturbed antioxidant enzyme balance
Genetic DNA damage
Low sex drive and reduced hormones
Unbalanced female and male hormones
Increase free radical damage – aging and degeneration of organs
Poor metabolism -cannot absorb nutrients or release toxins from cell
A simple way to understand the how EMFs impact our cells is comparing the EMF to a battery charger and our body to a large number of small batteries (our cells).
Every battery is made to operate properly within a certain voltage range. If you overcharge the battery it will burn out, this is similar to what happens to our cells when exposed to high frequency EMFs our cells are not compatible with. In comparison if you use the correct Battery Charger voltage the battery will charge properly, this is what the correct PEMF does for our cells.
PEMFs charges our cells with the energy they are designed to operate at and need to operate at their maximum potential. BAD EMF's will burn out our body cells and other illness's will cause effectively a discharging of our body cell's.
Humans Need the "GOOD" Magnetic Fields:
During early space programs astronauts lost a high degree of bone density. At this time the Schumann wave generator was developed to overcome this side effect.
Dr. Valerie Hunt placed 2 humans in an “Mu metal cage” to test humans in a near-zero magnetic field environment where they were cut-off from the earth's natural magnetic field. In a very short period of time they began to sob and said they felt like they were “falling apart” emotionally. Shortly after they started loosing muscle control, coordination and started showing abnormal cardiac readings. This showed the critical need for the environment of the Earth's natural magnetic fields.
CES Cranial Electrical Stimulation
The CES Ultra is a portable cranial electrotherapy device that employs small currents of electricity for the treatment of stress and stress-related disorders of anxiety and insomnia
Researcher, Radman explained the clinical effects of CES:
Abnormal timing of neuron firing is the hallmark of many neurological disorders
Electric field induced changes in spike timing would be important to achieving and maintaining changes in spike timing would be important to achieving and maintaining a coherent temporal coding pattern
CES changed the timing of the firing pattern
CES was associated with a synchronizing effect during recurrent network activity when added to multiple cycles over time., thereby normalizing the firing pattern.
Some Theoretical Ideas of Ideas Why CES Works:
Balancing sympathetic/parasympathetic system –
Pavlovian Sympathetic imbalance makes a person restless, running around constantly, seldom sleeping, and in general a nervous wreck.
A normal parasympathetic imbalance would make a person sit around all day, listless, doing nothing but sleeping.
Russians thought that CES put the sympathetic/parasympathetic system back in balance, yielding a normal person with average temperament.
Neurohormonal balance - Chronic stress theory
Pozos’ Research the concept of mainline medical science in the U.S. is that in order to be normal, one’s neurotransmitters have to be in balance. That is, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, endorphins, and so forth have to be in balance with each other for the person to act and feel normally. Chronic stress knocks this system out of balance, and CES puts it back in balance.
Synchronicity Theory
Illness caused by breakdown in physiological Synchrony.
Every system in the body works with a very complicated internal synchrony, much as a flock of birds or a large school of fish maneuver in synchrony when danger threatens.
Each body part – liver, heart, kidneys, pancreas – has millions of separate cells, all firing in synchrony.
Even though each system has a separate firing pattern, those patterns have to cooperate with the synchronous firing of other systems if the body is to succeed.
When a part of the body gets out of synchrony, disease develops.
It is thought that CES works on a master synchrony controller in the brain to bring the entire system back into the synchrony.
CES as an Adaptogen
An adaptogen acts on numerous major systems in the body to regulate them and bring them back toward homeostasis.
It is thought that by bringing neurotransmitters back into balance, CES is basically performing as an adaptogen.
Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy is based on the principle of delivering the light energy into cells within our body. When the light particles touch the skin the body’s cells absorb the energy. Our cells use this energy as ATP which is referred to the “molecular currency” for energy transfer. Red light therapy works similar to how plants absorb light via photosynthesis, using that energy to fuel the organism’s activities. Red light therapy works by the same overall principle, as our cells are able to absorb certain light energies providing fuel for specific functions.
For red light therapy to be effective there are a several important criteria:
The LED must be at the correct wavelength. Studies have shown the most effective wavelengths are between 633nm and 830nm. The LEDs used in Healthy Wave Mats are at 660nm as when using low levels LEDs this wavelength range is the most effective.
The LED must have enough power density (W/cm2), which is the power in watts per cubic centimeter. The phototherapy must have enough energy to deliver the necessary photons to the cells in our bodies. This is best achieved when applied directly to the skin as the further away you get the light energy will disperse & diminish lessening the effects.
Light Therapy Supports a Wide Range of Systemic Health Benefits
Light therapy is a rare treatment that really is one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re an elite athlete, a weekend warrior, a busy mom, or a senior trying to stay active, you can benefit from more healthy light in your life.
Light is for everyone, and light therapy supports greater balance and a wide range of systemic health benefits. What are the health benefits of light therapy? We’ll cover some of the main ones below.
Enhanced Cellular Function and ATP Energy Production:
In conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, light therapy treatments can have systemic benefits because they work by improving cellular health across the entire body. When your cells are working more efficiently and producing more ATP energy, the better you can look and feel.
Inflammation and Pain Relief: Light therapy treatments help your body’s natural inflammation process as you recover from illness or injury. Check out this paper by Dr. Michael Hamblin of Harvard Medical School to learn more about red light therapy’s effects on inflammation. Dr. Hamblin is one of the world’s leading photomedicine researchers, and believes light therapy produces an “overall reduction in inflammation.”
Red light therapy also supports arthritis and joint pain relief by improving blood flow to damaged tissues.
Improved Blood Flow:
One of the potential benefits of light therapy is a significant increase in blood circulation following treatment sessions. This indicates tissues are receiving more oxygen and other nutrients that are important for healing. At the same time, light helps the body and circulatory system rid itself of toxic byproducts.
Sleep Optimization:
Healthy light intake is essential for sleep and maintaining natural circadian rhythms. Our brains interpret light as a sign of when to be awake and asleep, and when to make crucial sleep hormones like melatonin. Bright blue light at night can knock your sleep cycle out of whack, but red light is a lower-intensity alternative that can help support longer, more restful sleep.
Recovery, Healing, and Performance:
Light therapy is widely used by trainers and pro athletes to improve fitness, boost physical performance, and support the recovery process. Muscle cells require a great deal of energy, and grow and strengthen through a process of tears and repairs. Light therapy helps your body produce and use energy more efficiently. Supporting circulation and inflammation reduction with light therapy can also help you heal and recover after injuries and workouts.
Skin Health and Beauty:
Taking in healthy light is crucial for skin cells, skin health, and beauty. Red and NIR light promotes balance across the body and skin by enhancing cellular respiration, making energy production more efficient, with less oxidative stress. When your cells are in greater balance, your skin will look and feel softer and more invigorated.
Mental Acuity:
Mental acuity is a measure of how well your brain processes and responds in the moment. When shined on the head, NIR wavelengths of light can reach brain cells and stimulate the mitochondria in the body’s main processing center. This can improve cellular energy production, enhance blood flow, and support better mental acuity.
Braverman, E, Smith, R., Smayda, R, and Blum, K. Modification of P300 amplitude and other electrophysiological parameters of drug abuse by cranial electrical stimulation. Current Therapeutic Research. 48(4):586-596, 1990.
Klawansky S, Yeung A, Berkey C, Shah N, Phan H, Chalmers TC., Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cranial electrostimulation. Efficacy in treating selected psychological and physiological conditions. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1997 Dec; 185 (12): 766-7
Shealy, C. et al, Depression: A diagnostic, neurochemical profile and therapy with CES, J of Neuro. & Ortho. Med Surg. 10(4): 319-21, 1989.
Treatment of Anxiety-Schmitt, R. Capo, T. & Boyd, E. CES as a treatment for anxiety in chemically dependent persons. Alcoholism: Clinical and experimental Research. 10(2): 158-160, 1986
Klepeis NE, Nelson WC, Ott WR, et al. The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS): a resource for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology. 2001 May.
Hamblin M. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics. 2017 May.
Mak MC, Cheing GL. Immediate effects of monochromatic infrared energy on microcirculation in healthy subjects. Photomed Laser Surg. 2012.
Sheppard A and Wolffsohn J. “Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration.” BMJ Open Ophthalmology. 2018 April.
Jung C, Khalsa S, et al. Acute Effects of Bright Light Exposure on Cortisol Levels. Journal of Biological Rhythms. 2010 Jun.
Harvard Health. Blue light has a dark side.
Hamblin, Michael. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017.
Hamblin, Michael. Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. ScienceDirect. 2016 Sept.
Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, Vecchio D, Pam Z, Pam N, Hamblin MR. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 Mar.
Writen by Dr. John Nieters, DAOM, L.Ac, M.Sc. CFMP
