Even a brief foray into alternative pain management can yield a host of results. Although alternative pain remediation has been tied to methods ranging from essential oils to meditation and crystal therapy, increasing bodies of evidence are pointing to electromagnetic technologies as a wealth of potential healing energy, both to ease symptoms of pain and support the body’s ability to heal itself. PEMF therapy and TENS are two of the most popular types of electromagnetic therapy used to ease pain, each with different target populations and mechanisms of action.
The Basics of TENS
TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a type of intervention that specifically targets pain—and even more specifically, targets pain receptors in the body that receive pain signals and interpret them. TENS effectively blocks these receptors, in order to alleviate feelings of pain and discomfort. Used primarily (but not exclusively) in clinical or healthcare settings, TENS has shown itself to be as effective as standard pharmaceutical pain medications, without the many risks and side effects so often accompanying pharmaceutical medications, including habit-forming properties.
TENS has been used in both chronic and acute cases of pain, and is often encouraged as an alternative to standard pain medications in populations with undue risks for habit formation, or patients who have grown tolerant to the pain medications they have been using to manage their condition. TENS is a unique type of therapy, as it must be delivered during movement, and is not as effective while an individual is sitting or lying still.
PEMF Basics
PEMF therapy is an electromagnetic therapy solution that targets the body’s cells. When pulses of electromagnetic energy are delivered to the body via a wand, mat, or loop, they imbue cells with energy, effectively “charging” the bodies “batteries,” or delivering energy to cells. Because cellular energy is required for virtually every bodily function, from breathing to sleeping, a lack of cellular energy can result in widespread health issues. A lack of cellular energy is usually attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction, as the mitochondria serve as the site of synthesis for the body’s energy sources. PEMF therapy supports mitochondrial function by providing the body with electromagnetic energy, which, in turn, supports natural healing pathways and processes.
PEMF has been in use as an established technology for over forty years, with its first official approval stretching back to 1979. It has been used as an approved treatment method to increase muscle stimulation, improve cervical fusion outcomes, aid treatment-resistant depression, and support the healing of union fractures. In addition to these approved ailments, PEMF therapy has numerous studies supporting its use as a pain management method, a source of relief from arthritis pain, stiffness, and damage, and a way to reduce inflammation overall. While it has only enjoyed a decade or so of widespread use, it is a long-standing intervention that has stood up to the test of time, and continues to show its potential as a general source of healing and overall health support.
The limitations of PEMF therapy are usually considered small; although most PEMF machines are used while stationary, whether lying down or sitting, new iterations of PEMF technology are seeking to erase this limitation, and have created wearable PEMF devices to ease pain while engaging in movement, such as running. PEMF therapy has also been linked to redness or discomfort at the site of application in some cases—usually specifically in individuals who identify as having sensitive skin.
Energy Therapy: PEMF Versus TENS
As a form of healing therapy, only PEMF actually fulfills the parameters of the name. This is because TENS is far closer to an over the counter analgesic such as Tylenol than it is to a therapy that seeks to mitigate the issue causing pain. That is not to say that TENS therapy does not have a place; pain can be debilitating, and temporary sources of pain—the presence of a surgical incision, for instance—can require immediate relief to prevent additional damage, such as a spike in blood pressure or a flood of stress hormones. In these cases, TENS can be extremely useful, and can prevent an existing issue from being exacerbated.
In cases where the ultimate goal is healing of a condition or improvement in a wound, tear, or injury, PEMF therapy is likely to be the best route. This is due to the nature of PEMF therapy as a healing modality, and the ability of PEMF therapy to work while stationary; many people with ongoing joint, muscular, or skeletal pain are unable to move the areas in need of pain relief, and cannot effectively use TENS as a result. PEMF therapy can be used in clinical settings, via a doctor or other therapy professional, or can be used at home, with a device designed for personal PEMF application.
Choosing an Intervention
Choosing between PEMF therapy and TENS is a matter of identifying your goals and motivation. For simple pain relief, TENS is a safe bet. TENS has shown its efficacy in clinical trials at blocking the sensation of pain and providing some relief from pain sensations. If you are seeking to eradicate the source of pain, or tackle pain management in a holistic manner, and relieving pain while actively treating it, PEMF is going to be a better fit.
The duration of an issue can also play a role in determining which intervention is ideal. If, for instance, pain in short-lived and acute, TENS therapy through an approved therapy office can be easier to come by. Although PEMF therapy is not less effective, the scope of potential healing properties can mean that it is in higher demand than TENS. If, however, the goal is more than mere pain management, is seeking to treat ongoing issues with pain and inflammation, and the area in question requires healing in order to relieve symptoms of pain, PEMF therapy is likely to be the better type of intervention. Ultimately, both forms of electromagnetic therapy are effective, but only PEMF delivers healing, rather than merely disrupting bodily communication systems.