TESTS AND PROCEDURES

Electromagnetic Therapy

May 02, 2017

Electromagnetic Therapy

What is electromagnetic therapy?

The human body contains and uses electricity and magnetic energy.  These forces control the heartbeat, stimulate muscles, and more. Each molecule in the human body actually contains a small amount of magnetic energy.

Electromagnetic therapy is based on the belief that an imbalance of the electromagnetic frequencies or fields of energy within the body can result in illness. Electromagnetic therapy is applied to the body to correct these imbalances.  There are various electrical devices available to treat a variety of symptoms. These include low-voltage electricity, magnetic fields, radio waves, or other types of electromagnetic energy.  However, most are not approved by the FDA and many electronic devices marketed as disease cures have not been scientifically proven to be effective.

Electromagnetic therapy is also called bioelectricity, magnetic field therapy, and magnetic healing.

Standard or conventional medicine however, does make some use of electromagnetic energy. Examples include:

  • "Jump starting" the heart after cardiac arrest

  • Using electrical currents to increase bone growth

  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS), which are used to treat some types of pain

Updated:  

May 02, 2017

Reviewed By:  

Finke, Amy, RN, BSN,Garilli, Bianca, ND