Can you do too much PEMF?

PEMF therapy is considered a highly safe and effective form of Electromagnetic Field stimulation, without the many side effects and dangers associated with some drug therapies and other physical forms of medical intervention.

That being said, there may be some instances in which the application of PEMF is in some way contraindicated, including some exposure times and existing conditions.

While it is not necessarily that you can do “too much” PEMF therapy, it is true that there are some instances in which you should exercise caution or limit the amount of time spent using PEMF machines.

The most common conditions and contraindications are identified in greater detail below.

Although PEMF is considered an extremely safe form of therapy, there are some conditions that can be exacerbated if PEMF is used for an extended period of time.

In elderly populations, for instance, short bursts of PEMF therapy (10-15 minutes or less) may be advised, due to the possibility of a drop in both blood pressure and heart rate.

While decreases in both of these areas are typically considered positive, they can be problematic in patients and populations who are taking medication for these conditions, or who are prone to dizziness, fainting, and falls.

PEMF can also be too much of a good thing in populations with uncontrolled diabetes.

Because PEMF improves cellular function and communication, many people who utilize this type of therapy experience a decrease in blood sugar that can last beyond the confines of a PEMF session.

Again, while a drop in blood sugar is often considered advantageous, it can be problematic for people whose blood sugar is unstable, or prone to rapid dives.

Starting out slowly, both in terms of frequency and duration, can mitigate some of the dangers associated with PEMF therapy and blood sugar levels.

Pregnancy is one condition that prohibits the use of PEMF therapy, and any application of PEMF therapy could be considered too much.

This is because there are no long-term safety studies identifying the safety and efficacy of PEMF therapy in pregnant populations, and conducting trials in these women is considered a violation of ethical standards.

PEMF therapy is not considered unsafe for pregnancy, but is considered ill advised, due to the lack of established safety.

Having a pre-existing condition involving an implant is another instance in which PEMF can be considered too much, or too hazardous, if careful precautions are not taken regarding the location of PEMF pulses and their proximity to the implant.

Individuals who have a pacemaker, cochlear implant, or other electrical device should avoid the use of PEMF in direct proximity to their implant.

With a pacemaker, for instance, PEMF therapy should be avoided on the chest.

Finally, PEMF sessions for patients who are just coming off of standard pain medication could be troublesome, as some populations experience a temporary increase in pain during or immediately following PEMF application.

Shorter, more sparsely spaced PEMF sessions may be necessary for these individuals, to help minimize the effects of increased pain that may come as a result of improved cellular communication, repaired nerves, and increased blood flow.