I admit that when I first heard of PEMF, I was very skeptical of its use and benefits for health because of what I knew of EMF. After all, they are both electromagnetic fields, aren’t they? As I learned, and aim to share with you here, there are in fact very significant distinctions that make these different.

PEMF and EMF are both related to electromagnetic fields, but they are quite different in terms of their frequency, intensity, and application. PEMF emits electromagnetic pulses at specific and controlled frequencies and intensities, and has much lower and slower frequency and wavelength than other types of EMF – in fact, it more closely resembles the naturally occurring magnetic fields generated in our earth and atmosphere.

On the other hand, EMF is a term used to describe the magnetic and electric fields that are produced by electronic devices, power lines, and other sources of electrical energy. EMF fields can be found at a wide range of frequencies and intensities, and they are ubiquitous in our modern world. These frequencies – the Hz – tend to be much higher.

Understanding Frequency (Hertz), Wavelength, and Intensity (Gauss)

To fully appreciate the difference between PEMF and EMF it’s important to understand what the measurements, frequencies, and intensities mean.

Frequency is the number of cycles or oscillations per second of an electromagnetic wave and is measured in hertz (Hz).  For example, if a wave completes one cycle in one second, its frequency is one hertz, where if a wave completes ten cycles in one second, its frequency is ten hertz.

Hertz are commonly used to measure the frequency of electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, microwaves, visible light, and X-rays. The frequency of these waves varies widely, with radio waves having a frequency in the range of a few hertz to several gigahertz, while X-rays have frequencies in the range of trillions of hertz (terahertz).

In terms of PEMF therapy, hertz are used to measure the frequency of the pulsed electromagnetic fields produced by the therapy device. The specific frequency used in PEMF therapy varies depending on the device and application, but typically falls within the range of 1 to 100 Hz, with some medical devices capable of frequencies up to 10,000 Hz. The frequency used in PEMF therapy falls in the same range as the geomagnetic field of earth, and is demonstrated to have a therapeutic effects on the body by stimulating cell repair and regeneration, improving blood flow, and reducing inflammation, to name a few.

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of an electromagnetic wave and is related to the frequency of the wave. In general, the wavelength of PEMF is longer than that of other types of EMF, because its frequency is lower.

Intensity is measured in Gauss. One gauss is equal to one Maxwell per square centimetre (Mx/cm2). The Maxwell is the unit of magnetic flux, which is a measure of the total number of magnetic field lines passing through a given area. The gauss is therefore a measure of the magnetic flux density, or the strength of the magnetic field per unit area. Essentially, higher gauss means the ability for deeper and more powerful penetration – for better or worse, depending on the frequency and other factors.

In practical terms, Gauss is commonly used to measure the strength of magnets, magnetic fields, and devices that produce magnetic fields, such as PEMF therapy devices. The strength of the Earth’s magnetic field, for example, is approximately 0.5 Gauss at the equator and 1 Gauss at the poles.

Gauss, however, is not the only unit used to measure magnetic field strength. Another commonly used unit is the Tesla (T), which is equal to 10,000 Gauss. The Tesla is often used in scientific and technical applications where high-precision measurements are required.

PEMF, like Earth’s Geomagnetic Field, is ELF

Most therapeutic pulsed electromagnetic fields are what we consider ELF (extremely low frequency) because the frequency range falls within the ELF band, which the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as between 0 Hz and 300 Hz. ELF fields are naturally occurring, such as the Earth’s magnetic field, or can be produced by human-made devices.

Both PEMF and Earth’s geomagnetic field can influence biological processes in the body, such as regulating circadian rhythms, promoting cellular repair and regeneration, and improving blood flow. PEMF therapy is based on the idea of using these fields to stimulate healing and promote overall wellness, while the Earth’s geomagnetic field is a naturally occurring field that has been omnipresent since at least the dawn of life and will have played a role in the evolution of life on Earth.

In fact, studies done on volunteers isolated from the geomagnetic fields and Schumann resonances showed a deterioration in health, both mentally and physically. Whether we fully understand them or not, it is clear that these fields are an essential part of healthy life, and whether natural or artificial in nature, they share similarities in their effects on biological systems.

PEMF

PEMF is a therapeutic modality that uses low-frequency, pulsed electromagnetic fields to stimulate cells and tissues. It is used for a variety of health conditions, including pain management, arthritis, osteoporosis, and depression. It’s been proven that exposure to PEMF can stimulate cell repair and regeneration, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, promote healing, enhance tissue repair, improve bone density,  relieve pain, amongst much more.

The specific frequency and intensity of PEMF used can vary depending on the condition being targeted and the individual’s needs, but devices typically operate in the frequency range of 1 to 100 Hz – which is typical for most therapeutic devices, although for some medical applications, frequencies of up to 10,000 Hertz maybe used. The intensity of the field can vary from very low (less than 1 Gauss) to high (several thousand Gauss), depending on the intensity, or penetration, required to access the affected tissue.

At this time, there are no known adverse side effects of PEMF, however, it is worth noting that it may not be safe for individuals who have pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices, or those with organ transplants (due to lack of studies and the use of immune suppressants – not worth risking the possibility of organ rejection).

EMF

EMF as we have come to know it and be wary of it, is what we sometimes refer to as “dirty EMF” – these are the electromagnetic fields that we cannot readily control, they just exist in our environment as a result of electronic devices and radio waves. As you will see, this EMF, unlike PEMF, operates with much higher frequencies, making the distinction much clearer.

Most cell phones, for instance, operate in the range of 700 MHz to 2.5 GHz, with newer 5G networks operating at even higher frequencies up to 40 GHz. Even at the low end, 700 MHz is 700,000,000 Hz, which has a frequency 7 million times higher than the highest therapeutic PEMF utilized by MearaPulse and most other PEMF therapies.

In saying that, you don’t need to panic about your cell phone. Gauss levels are typically less than 0.1 Gauss, which is far below the safety limit for human exposure to magnetic fields. But perhaps it is worth noting that electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones can have other potential effects on health, such as heating of body tissues. Have you noticed that your ear and hand get hot with prolonged use? That is the radio waves heating up your tissues.

For more perspective, some other common EMF in our day-to-day lives include:

• Electrical wires: The frequency of the alternating current (AC) used in most household electrical systems is 60 Hz in North America and 50 Hz in many other parts of the world.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi networks typically operate in the range of 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz.
• Household appliances: The frequency of household appliances can vary widely depending on the type of device. For example, microwave ovens typically operate at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, while electric shavers may operate at frequencies in the range of 50 Hz to 400 Hz.

In addition to being a byproduct of electronics, EMFs have a wide range of applications in modern technology, including in telecommunications, medical imaging, and power generation. However, there are also concerns about the potential health effects of exposure to EMFs. While the scientific evidence is not conclusive, some studies have suggested a link between long-term exposure to high levels of EMFs and increased risk of cancer, neurological disorders, and other health problems.

Interestingly, this is most often because these electrical fields disrupt our own electromagnetic biologic processes or compromise cellular integrity while naturally occurring ELF and, more effectively PEMF, is being shown to do the opposite…