Can PEMF Cause Pain?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy has successfully been used as a treatment for pain in both acute and chronic conditions.

It is not without some element of irony, then, that pain has been identified as one of the potential side effects associated with PEMF therapy.

The type of pain associated with PEMF therapy is not the same type of pain that leads people to seek out therapeutic intervention, however, as it is usually described as a mild, short-term pain that dissipates after a session has concluded.

Pain has also been described as a feeling of intense discomfort, rather than outright pain.

Pain is not a common or expected side effect of general PEMF therapy.

Instead, some people using the therapy have reported a feeling of agitation or discomfort at the site being targeted.

Discomfort and agitation are usually associated with individuals who have a history of sensitivity, whether that sensitivity is generalized skin sensitivity, or a specific sensitivity to radiation and electromagnetic charges.

Pain may also be associated with PEMF therapy during the process of repair, because healing in the body can be accompanied by pain.

If nerve damage, for instance, is being targeted with PEMF, some patients may find that they experience a higher degree of pain for a time, as their nerves are repaired, and they regain sensation in areas previously damaged by nerves.

This can also be true of people who are using PEMF therapy to reduce inflammation or speed wound healing.

Because inflammation can have a dulling effect on the body, the healing process can feel like a heightened incidence of pain and discomfort.

Pain is not considered a common side effect of PEMF therapy—especially because PEMF has been proven to be an effective antidote to pain.

It is not common, then, to experience pain during PEMF sessions.

It can cause pain, but it is not commonplace or expected.

Pain could indicate something positive, but can feel overwhelming if you are not expecting it.

Before using PEMF therapy for nerve damage or inflammation, prepare yourself for the possibility of temporarily increased pain, as your body heals and pain receptors begin working more effectively.

Pain or discomfort can also be experienced at the beginning of treatment, which can dissipate as you and your body become accustomed to the sensation of electromagnetic pulses.

Pain is usually compared to the sensation of having razor burn, or experiencing a small pinch, and is not typically described as a systemic pain issue, or an ongoing issue, after treatment sessions have stopped.

Changing the settings of the PEMF machine can mitigate pain responses.

A clinician can adjust settings until you find a setting you find comfortable, or you can experiment with an at-home machine until you find a setting that feels comfortable and pleasant against your skin.

Shorter sessions in the initial stages of treatment can also prevent feelings of pain or discomfort, and the duration and intensity can gradually increase as you feel more comfortable with the process and how it interacts with your body’s unique chemistry and energy.