Electromagnetic therapy
Encyclopedia
Electromagnetic therapy, is a form of alternative medicine
which claims to treat disease by applying electromagnetic radiation
or pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to the body.
There is no scientific evidence
that electromagnetic therapy is effective in treating any condition. Practitioners claim that these methods can treat a wide range of ailments, including ulcers, headaches, burns, chronic pain, nerve disorders, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, gum infections, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, cerebral palsy, heart disease and cancer.
Even though some of the early works in bioelectromagnetics
, suchs as electromagnetic therapy, are being successfully applied in clinical medicine, there is no relationship between alternative devices or methods which use externally applied electrical forces and the use of electromagnetic energy in mainstream medicine.
Some proponents of electromagnetic therapy believe that "harmful electromagnetic fields" might "disrupt the body's chemical makeup resulting in disease and illness." The Moore Cancer Center of the University of California, San Diego Medical Center offers alternative therapies
for cancer patients. However, it clearly states on its website that to their knowledge "there is no scientific evidence available that any electromagnetic therapies work."
says that "relying on electromagnetic treatment alone and avoiding conventional medical care may have serious health consequences." In some cases the devices may be ineffective and harmful. A randomized controlled trial
conducted by Energy Medicine Developments, Inc. and published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2003 claimed a "small" clinical benefit from pulsed electromagnetic therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis
, though the authors noted that the results needed to be replicated. A 2006-2007 systematic review
by the Cochrane Library
found no evidence that electromagnetic therapy was useful in healing pressure ulcers or venous stasis ulcers.
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Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
which claims to treat disease by applying electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that exhibits wave-like behavior as it travels through space...
or pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to the body.
There is no scientific evidence
Scientific evidence
Scientific evidence has no universally accepted definition but generally refers to evidence which serves to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis. Such evidence is generally expected to be empirical and properly documented in accordance with scientific method such as is...
that electromagnetic therapy is effective in treating any condition. Practitioners claim that these methods can treat a wide range of ailments, including ulcers, headaches, burns, chronic pain, nerve disorders, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, gum infections, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, cerebral palsy, heart disease and cancer.
Even though some of the early works in bioelectromagnetics
Bioelectromagnetics
Bioelectromagnetics is the study of the interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological entities. Common areas of investigation include animal navigation utilising the geomagnetic field, potential effects of man-made sources of electromagnetic fields like mobile phones and developing...
, suchs as electromagnetic therapy, are being successfully applied in clinical medicine, there is no relationship between alternative devices or methods which use externally applied electrical forces and the use of electromagnetic energy in mainstream medicine.
Use
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, low frequency electromagnetic therapy has been proposed by practitioners of alternative medicine for a variety of purposes, including cell growth promotion, pain reduction, improved blood circulation, bone repair, increased wound healing, sedative effects, enhanced sleep, and arthritic relief.Some proponents of electromagnetic therapy believe that "harmful electromagnetic fields" might "disrupt the body's chemical makeup resulting in disease and illness." The Moore Cancer Center of the University of California, San Diego Medical Center offers alternative therapies
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
for cancer patients. However, it clearly states on its website that to their knowledge "there is no scientific evidence available that any electromagnetic therapies work."
Effectiveness
The American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
says that "relying on electromagnetic treatment alone and avoiding conventional medical care may have serious health consequences." In some cases the devices may be ineffective and harmful. A randomized controlled trial
Randomized controlled trial
A randomized controlled trial is a type of scientific experiment - a form of clinical trial - most commonly used in testing the safety and efficacy or effectiveness of healthcare services or health technologies A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a type of scientific experiment - a form of...
conducted by Energy Medicine Developments, Inc. and published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2003 claimed a "small" clinical benefit from pulsed electromagnetic therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
, though the authors noted that the results needed to be replicated. A 2006-2007 systematic review
Systematic review
A systematic review is a literature review focused on a research question that tries to identify, appraise, select and synthesize all high quality research evidence relevant to that question. Systematic reviews of high-quality randomized controlled trials are crucial to evidence-based medicine...
by the Cochrane Library
Cochrane Library
The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases in medicine and other healthcare specialties provided by the Cochrane Collaboration and other organisations. At its core is the collection of Cochrane Reviews, a database of systematic reviews and meta-analyses which summarize and interpret the...
found no evidence that electromagnetic therapy was useful in healing pressure ulcers or venous stasis ulcers.
External links
- Bioelectromagnetics Society and its related publication Bioelectromagnetics is a peer-reviewed, internationally circulated scientific journal that specializes in reporting original data on biological effects and applications of electromagnetic fields.
- Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine
- Information on electromagnetic therapy from the University of California, San Diego Medical Center
- Electromagnetic Therapy from the American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer SocietyThe American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
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