Author: Resmi Rajalekshmi1, Devendra K Agrawal1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Translational Research, College of the Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California USA.
Conference/Journal: J Orthop Sports Med
Date published: 2024 Jul 22
Other:
Volume ID: 6 , Issue ID: 2 , Pages: 89-106 , Special Notes: doi: 10.26502/josm.511500147. , Word Count: 283
There is mounting evidence to suggest that exogenous electromagnetic fields (EMF) may play a significant role in various biological processes that are crucial to therapeutic interventions. EMFs have been identified as a non-invasive, safe, and effective therapy that appears to have no apparent side effects. Numerous studies have demonstrated that pulsed EMFs (PEMFs) have the potential to become a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment modality for managing musculoskeletal disorders. However, several questions remain unresolved. Before their widespread clinical application, further research from well-designed, high-quality studies is required to standardize treatment parameters and determine the optimal protocol for healthcare decision-making. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of musculoskeletal diseases on overall well-being, the limitations of conventional treatments, and the need to explore alternative therapeutic modalities such as electromagnetic field (EMF) therapy. EMF therapy uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and modulate pain signals, making it a safe and convenient alternative to conventional treatments. The article also discusses the historical perspective of EMF therapy in medicine. The article highlights the potential of EMF therapy as a personalized and comprehensive care option for musculoskeletal diseases, either alone or in conjunction with other therapies. It emphasizes the imperative for further research in this field and presents a compelling case for the use of EMF therapy in managing musculoskeletal diseases. Overall, the available findings on the underlying cellular and molecular biology support the use of EMF therapy as a viable option for the management of musculoskeletal disorders and stresses the need for continued research in this area.
Keywords: Connective tissue disorder; Electromagnetic field; Healthcare; Intracellular signaling; Musculoskeletal system; Pulsed electromagnetic field; Tendon healing; Therapy of musculoskeletal disorders.
PMID: 39036742 PMCID: PMC11258965 DOI: 10.26502/josm.511500147