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'''Electromagnetic therapy''', is a ] form of ] and a type of ] which claims to treat disease by applying ] or pulsed electromagnetic fields (]) to the body.<ref name="acs"/><ref>{{cite journal| '''Electromagnetic therapy''', is a form of ] which claims to treat disease by applying ] or pulsed electromagnetic fields (]) to the body.<ref name="acs"/><ref>{{cite journal|
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Revision as of 22:51, 12 December 2013

This redirect is about use of electromagnetic radiation in alternative medicine. For use in mainstream medicine, see electrotherapy.
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Electromagnetic therapy, is a form of alternative medicine which claims to treat disease by applying electromagnetic radiation or pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to the body. There is no scientific evidence that electromagnetic therapy is effective in treating any condition. Practitioners claim that these methods can treat a wide range of ailments, including ulcers, headaches, burns, chronic pain, nerve disorders, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, gum infections, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, cerebral palsy, heart disease and cancer.

Even though some of the early works in bioelectromagnetics are being successfully applied in clinical medicine, there is no relationship between alternative devices or methods which use externally applied electrical forces and the use of electromagnetic energy in mainstream medicine.

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Use

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, low frequency electromagnetic therapy has been proposed by practitioners of alternative medicine for a variety of purposes, including cell growth promotion, pain reduction, improved blood circulation, bone repair, increased wound healing, sedative effects, enhanced sleep, and arthritic relief.

Some proponents of electromagnetic therapy believe that "harmful electromagnetic fields" might "disrupt the body's chemical makeup resulting in disease and illness." The Moore Cancer Center of the University of California, San Diego Medical Center offers alternative therapies for cancer patients. However, it clearly states on its website that to their knowledge "there is no scientific evidence available that any electromagnetic therapies work."

Effectiveness

The American Cancer Society says that "relying on electromagnetic treatment alone and avoiding conventional medical care may have serious health consequences." In some cases the devices may be ineffective and harmful. A randomized controlled trial conducted by Energy Medicine Developments, Inc. and published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2003 claimed a "small" clinical benefit from pulsed electromagnetic therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis, though the authors noted that the results needed to be replicated. A 2012-2013 systematic review by the Cochrane Library found no evidence that electromagnetic therapy was useful in healing pressure ulcers or venous stasis ulcers.

See also

References

  1. ^ The American Cancer Society. "Electromagnetic Therapy: What is the evidence?".
  2. Luben, RA (1991). "Effects of low-energy electromagnetic fields (pulsed and DC) on membrane signal transduction processes in biological systems". Health physics. 61 (1): 15–28. doi:10.1097/00004032-199107000-00002. PMID 2061045.
  3. Gordon, GA (2007). "Designed electromagnetic pulsed therapy: Clinical applications". Journal of cellular physiology. 212 (3): 579–82. doi:10.1002/jcp.21025. PMID 17577213.
  4. ^ Moore Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego Medical Center. "Complementary and Alternative Therapies For Cancer Patients".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Rosch, P. & Marko S. Markov. "Bioelectromagnetic Medicine". Informa Health Care, 2004. ISBN 0-8247-4700-3, ISBN 978-0-8247-4700-8. Republished by Google books. Accessed 8 June 2009.
  6. Begué-Simon AM, Drolet RA (1993). "Clinical assessment of the RHUMART system based on the use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields with low frequency". Int J Rehabil Res. 16 (4): 323–7. PMID 8175238. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. Lappin MS, Lawrie FW, Richards TL, Kramer ED (2003). "Effects of a pulsed electromagnetic therapy on multiple sclerosis fatigue and quality of life: a double-blind, placebo controlled trial". Altern Ther Health Med. 9 (4): 38–48. PMID 12868251.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Aziz Z, Flemming K (2012). "Electromagnetic therapy for treating pressure ulcers". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (12): CD002930. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002930.pub5. PMID 23235593.
  9. Aziz Z, Cullum N, Flemming K (2013). "Electromagnetic therapy for treating venous leg ulcers". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2): CD002933. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002933.pub5. PMID 23450536.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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