A QUICK INSIGHT in PEMF FOR ANIMALS
Today, we will discuss PEMF, a type of magnetic field therapy in veterinary medicine along with its wide range of applications.
The use of magnets or magnetic fields to treat a number of medical conditions/pathologies in humans and animals is called magnetic field therapy. The use of magnets in medicine had been documented by Chinese medical practitioners long ago.
While first used in Japan, it is now widely used in Europe. These therapies are use by the public and in animal hospitals.
Evidence of its applications in the medical field have also been observed in early cultures of Greece, India and Egypt.
WHAT IS PEMFs? HOW IT IS HELPFUL IN VETERINARY MEDICINE?
PEMF is a contraction for Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy. This is a type of magnetic therapy, which uses magnetic fields through specialized devices to treat ailments.
In veterinary medicine, PEMF have captured more attention in past decades and become more popular among animal health professionals. With technological advances, equipment is becoming smaller, lighter, and less costly, making its application to a wider range of species more practical
WHICH ANIMALS CAN BE TREATED WITH PEMF?
Use of PEMF in horses has been documented for ages. Size of animal species is very much important in magnetic therapy as it determines the strength of the magnetic field required by them. The original PEMF was not capable of being used in small animals. Its usage has also been encouraged in dogs and cats lately as the therapy becomes more widely acceptable.
Because PEMF is a safe, non-invasive and drug-free method for pain relief and bone stimulation, it therefore has great benefits for these conditions in animals.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATIONS OF PEMF IN ANIMALS?
Broadly talking, due to the higher metabolic rate of animals than humans, they respond well to this therapy. So, it produces more desirable outcomes in them.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of PEMF in animals to treat following pathologies in animals.
1) Inflammation such as osteomyelitis, tendonitis and pain.
2) Bone fractures and anomalies.
3) Vertebral diseases and lameness.
4) Musculoskeletal and neurological disorders.
5) Degenerative joint diseases and chronic ailments
6) Skin and Spinal cord problems in pets.
7) Diabetes complications, cancer and circulatory disorders.
Felines also get benefits with PEMF. Cats are lazy animals with a huge brain. PEMF has also been studied as a regenerative medicine. One of the first PEMF cat studies was in 1984. They found that PEMF can help nerve regeneration in cats. So, it can be efficiently used in neurological issues in cats.
Being a non-invasive and painless therapy, this facilitates the healing process after many serious injuries and wounds and soothes acute or chronic pain in animals.
Animals show variable responses to this therapy and also observe different experiences. Still, there is a need to explore this magnetic medicine area with more research trials in animal species. This is also because the physiological and biochemical configuration varies from specie to specie
WHAT IS THE MECHANISM OF PEMF IN ANIMALS?
PEMF uses pulsing electromagnetic fields to jump start and accelerate normal biological cellular reactions. A pulsing DC current is pulsed through a coil to create the electromagnetic field and initiate the biological cellular reactions.
Cells contain electrically charged particles called electrolyte that govern all cellular processes. When the body is stressed (by illness, competition, environmental factors or age) the cellular membrane that conducts the essential ions into and out of the cell becomes compromised and is unable to efficiently do its job of managing the transport of these ions.
The PEMF generates a magnetic field that creates motion immediately and positively directly impacts these ions and membrane potential to stimulate them into action. The result is an increase in cellular communication and circulation, a decrease in inflammation and pain and a resulting acceleration of healing. There are no side effects seen with the use of PEMF.
IS PEMF SAFE FOR ANIMALS?
With few exceptions and conditions, As a whole, magnetic therapy is free from side effects. With prolonged use, animals can become acclimated to the magnets, which will then lose their effectiveness. Some practitioners feel that if bar magnets are applied incorrectly, with the south pole touching the patient, the treatment effects will be negative. PEMF is a pulsing field which differs from steady fields, like magnets.
“Magnetic therapy should not be performed on fresh injuries, in pregnant patients, or on patients using pacemakers.”
Magnetic therapy should not be performed on fresh injuries, in pregnant patients, or on patients using pacemakers. Caution should be used in the treatment of cancer or in the presence of infection.
CONCLUSION
PEMF therapy can be effectively used in animals to assist them in a variety of diseases. This is a cost-effective therapy. There are many clinical studies and more trial and clinical research for can assist to be more applicable.
PEMF can be used integrated with other veterinary medical treatments to produce excellent results.
Always consult a registered veterinary practitioner/expert while taking PEMF sessions for your animals. As it can be helpful to take a correct decision and prevent any inconvenience.
REFERENCES
Bagnato et al., 2016 G.L. Bagnato, G. Miceli, N. Marino, D. Sciortino, G.F. Bagnato
Pulsed electromagnetic fields in knee osteoarthritis: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial Rheumatology (Oxford), 55 (2016), pp. 755-762
Alvarez L, McCue J, Lam N, Askin G, Fox P. Effect of Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Canine Postoperative Hemilaminectomy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2019;55(2):83-91.
Crowe M, Sun Z, Battocletti J, Macias M, Pintar F, Maiman D. Exposure to pulsed magnetic fields enhances motor recovery in cats after spinal cord injury. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003;28(24):2660-2666.
Scardino M, Swaim S, Sartin E, et al. Evaluation of treatment with a pulsed electromagnetic field on wound healing, clinicopathologic variables, and central nervous system activity of dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1998;59(9):1177-1181