Electromagnetic therapy

Electromagnetic therapy is a form of alternative medicine which claims to treat disease by applying electromagnetic energy to the body. [cite journal
author=Gordon GA |title=Designed electromagnetic pulsed therapy: clinical applications |journal=J. Cell. Physiol. |volume=212 |issue=3 |pages=579–82 |year=2007 |month=Sep |pmid=17577213 |doi=10.1002/jcp.21025 |url=] [cite journal
author=Luben RA |title=Effects of low-energy electromagnetic fields (pulsed and DC) on membrane signal transduction processes in biological systems |journal=Health Phys |volume=61 |issue=1 |pages=15–28 |year=1991 |month=Jul |pmid=2061045 |doi= |url=] A related alternative treatment, magnet therapy, uses the application of static (non-varying) magnetic fields.

Electromagnetic therapy is a noninvasive, drug-free procedure. 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. There is no relationship between alternative devices or methods which use externally applied electrical forces and the use of electromagnetic energy in mainstream medicine. There is no scientific evidence that magnet therapy or electromagnetic therapy are effective in treating any condition.

Use

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.cite journal |author=Begué-Simon AM, Drolet RA |title=Clinical assessment of the RHUMART system based on the use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields with low frequency |journal=Int J Rehabil Res |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=323–7 |year=1993 |month=Dec |pmid=8175238 |doi= |url=]

Some proponents of electromagnetic therapy believe that "harmful electromagnetic fields" might "disrupt the body's chemical makeup resulting in disease and illness."cite web | title=Complementary and Alternative Therapies For Cancer Patients | url=http://cancer.ucsd.edu/Outreach/PublicEducation/CAMs/electromag.asp | author=Moore Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego Medical Center] 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 not only ineffective but harmful in and of themselves.cite web | url=http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Electromagnetic_Therapy.asp | title=Electromagnetic Therapy: What is the evidence? | author=The American Cancer Society] A randomized controlled trial conducted by Energy Medicine Developments, Inc. and published in "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" in 2003 found a "small" clinical benefit from pulsed electromagnetic therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis, though the authors noted that the results needed to be replicated. [cite journal |author=Lappin MS, Lawrie FW, Richards TL, Kramer ED |title=Effects of a pulsed electromagnetic therapy on multiple sclerosis fatigue and quality of life: a double-blind, placebo controlled trial |journal=Altern Ther Health Med |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=38–48 |year=2003 |pmid=12868251 |doi=] A 2006-2007 systematic review by the Cochrane Library found no evidence that electromagnetic therapy was useful in healing pressure ulcers [cite journal |author=Olyaee Manesh A, Flemming K, Cullum NA, Ravaghi H |title=Electromagnetic therapy for treating pressure ulcers |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume= |issue=2 |pages=CD002930 |year=2006 |pmid=16625564 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD002930.pub3] or venous stasis ulcers. [cite journal |author=Ravaghi H, Flemming K, Cullum N, Olyaee Manesh A |title=Electromagnetic therapy for treating venous leg ulcers |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume= |issue=2 |pages=CD002933 |year=2006 |pmid=16625565 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD002933.pub3]

References

External links

* [http://www.bioelectromagnetics.org/pubs.php Bioelectromagnetics Society] and its related publication "Bioelectromagnetics" is a peer-reviewed, internationally circulated scientific journal that specializes in reporting original data on biological effects and applications of electromagnetic fields.
* [http://www.stanford.edu/group/sprbm/ Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine]
* [http://cancer.ucsd.edu/Outreach/PublicEducation/CAMs/electromag.asp Information on electromagnetic therapy] from the University of California, San Diego Medical Center
* [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Electromagnetic_Therapy.asp Electromagnetic Therapy] from the American Cancer SocietyDatabase, Library & Search
* [http://search-recherche.collectionscanada.ca/fed/searchResults.jsp?FormName=Fed+Simple+Search&SourceQuery=&ResultCount=5&PageNum=1&MaxDocs=-1&SortSpec=score+desc&Language=eng&Sources=amicus&Sources=mikan&Sources=genapp&Sources=web&soundex=on&QueryText=electromagnetic+therapy National Archives Canada]