Magnets are used for pain?

Magnets and magnetic therapy provide an invisible and noninvasive energy therapy similar to ultrasound or TENS therapy. It has been used to treat different types of pain such as arthritis or headaches for hundreds of years. Today, magnetic therapy is most commonly used for pain, inflammatory conditions, and wound healing.

ICES - The Newest and Strongest Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy

North Shore Osteopathic is pleased to offer Micro-Pulse ICES (Inductively Coupled Electrical Stimulation) core technology, which is the newest most efficient form of PEMF used in basic research and clinical practice to increase stem cell growth and differentiation so as to improve inflammation and healing of tissues after severe injury to the spine, nerves, and musculoskeletal system. This treatment is provided via placing “rings” about the site of dysfunction.

The active process requires frequent administration over several weeks via setting up a magnetic field with frequencies between 0.25 and 50 Hz around the site(s) requiring treatment - AND requires physician's prescription for use.

Other forms of electromagnetic therapy called transcranial magnetic stimulation (pulsed TMS or tPEMF) has been FDA-approved for stroke recovery, chronic pain, severe migraines, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression. Pulsed TMS (tPEMF) uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain cells and may be received via mat or rings. While Pulsed TMS not an on-site option, Dr. Behling is also very happy to provide a referral to patients interested in this option.

  • Review of research between 2015-2024 for patients with fibromyalgia, patellofemoral (knee) pain, plantar fasciitis, hand and knee osteoarthritis, shoulder impingement syndrome, neck and back pain where surgery is not indicated (chronic nonspecific myofascial and mechanical LBP, chronic postoperative pain following lumbar surgery, cervical disc herniation, and lumbar spinal stenosis) confirmed improved pain scores and function nearly 3 weeks earlier than without using PEMF.

  • Orthopedic/Physiatry: since 2004 for treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis (incomplete joint), poorly healing fractures or failed spine surgery fusions.

  • Plastic Surgery: management of postoperative pain and edema in poorly healing wounds and major reconstructive surgeries.

Absolute contraindications: The mechanism of some healing properties of PEMF treatment is still not completely understood, but significant evidence demonstrates benefits and lacks adverse effects when provided to the appropriate individuals.MRI-incompatible devices, pacemakers and spinal cord stimulators.

Example: PEMF protocol for low back pain:

  • Ring PEMF for 20 minutes 3x/week for 4 weeks in addition to other noninvasive options showed significant improvements in pain from spinal stenosis, sciatica and post-operative pain

  • Ring PEMF for 30 minutes 2x/week x 6 weeks offered similar benefits for back surgery patients

Example: PEMF protocol for neck pain:

  • Ring PEMF for 20 minutes 2x/week for 6 weeks showed improvements in pain, mood and disability

OTHER ENERGETIC THERAPIES FOR PAIN - TUNING FORKS AND VIBRATION PLATES

The use of Weighted Tuning Forks to apply vibrational or mechanical oscillatory energy are used hospitals, research labs and police stations around the world.

  • Hearing loss can be evaluated via a method known as the Rinne or Weber tests, which holds a tuning fork to parts of the head.

  • Tuning forks can also identify whether a bone is fractured by holding a tuning fork close to the site of a suspected fracture.

  • Research and application of vibration via Vibration Plates and Platforms have been in use over the last 10 years. Research results show that frequencies between 25-150 Hz have been instrumental in healing muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments, and helpful in relieving pain via mechanical oscillation desensitization.

    • Application of vibrational frequencies in this range helped to relieve pain in over 80 % of the participants with both acute and chronic pain.

    • Research comes from studying the vibration of purring cats, which discovered frequencies between 25 – 50 Hz can increase bone density by as much as 20%.