CLINICAL APPLICATION OF MAGNETIC
AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
M.S. Markov Biolelectrochemistry Laboratory, Mount Sinai School of
Medicine, New York and Magnetherapy Inc., North Palm Beach, Florida
Presentation at the 9th International Congress on Stress, Montreux, Switzerland
February 16 - 22, 1997
Numerous publications suggest that exogenous magnetic and electromagnetic field can
have a profound effect on a large number of biological systems. Some of these may be
harmful, but others can provide significant benefits. Over the past few decades, magnetic
and electromagnetic fields have been increasingly utilized for the treatment of various
musculoskeletal injuries. The most effective clinical application of these physical
modalities has been to accelerate the healing of bone fractures, reuniting those in which
union has not taken place after years, as well as the reduction of edema and pain. Edema
is an unavoidable consequence of musculoskeletal and soft tissue trauma, as well as
inflammation due to disease. However, it interferes with the healing process, causing
problems in patients recovering from surgical procedures, trauma or with chronic wounds
and inflammation, and often produces pain. The ability to safely and effectively reduce
edema can promote natural healing processes, increase the delivery of higher
concentrations of antibiotics and other medications to affected tissues, and markedly
reduce pain and edema.
This paper will review decades of clinical application of low frequency pulsed
electromagnetic fields (PEMF), pulsed radio frequency signals (PRF), millimeter waves
(MMW) and static magnetic fields (SMF). It will include publications not only available
from The National Library of Medicine and other commonly used databases, but also from
Eastern Europe and Russia. Much of the pioneering research that has been conducted in
these countries has not been readily available to Western Scientists for various reasons.
Hundreds of thousands of patients have been treated worldwide with selected
electromagnetic and magnetic fields having a success rate of approximately 80% with
virtually no reported complications. Non invasive electromagnetic fields are now a common
part of the orthopedist's armamentarium for the care of fresh and delayed fractures.
Numerous clinical studies, in vivo animals experiments and in vitro cellular
and membrane research, all suggest that magnetic and electromagnetic field stimulation can
accelerate the healing processes. They are also able to enhance such fundamental
properties of the human organism as repair and regeneration. It is clear now that
endogenous electromagnetic and magnetic interactions are associated with many basic
physiological processes ranging from ion binding and molecular conformation in the cell
membrane to the macroscopic mechanical properties of tissues.
The basic science data provides a background information for searching the mechanisms
of coupling of magnetic and electromagnetic field with the target tissues. PEMF in current
clinical practice have been employed to treat delayed and non-union fractures, spinal
fusion, rotor cuff tendonitis and avascular necrosis. PRF (27.12 MHz) has been reported as
successful therapeutical agent for soft tissue injuries, wound healing, burn treatment and
nerve regeneration. MMW have been successfully applied for stimulation of immune and
endocrine systems.
Static magnetic fields have been most frequently used for alleviation of pain and other
conditions that respond to improved local circulation and reduction of edema. Very recent
clinical data concerning application in plastic and reconstructive surgery of permanent
magnets (Tectonic®) may markedly reduce edema and ecchymosis in post operative patients
undergoing plastic or reconstructive surgery such as face lift and liposuction, as will be
illustrated.
To date, no well-established mechanism has been identified which can explain how weak
magnetic and electromagnetic fields can affect signal transduction pathways and therefore
trigger healing processes. The potential for electromagnetic fields to restore normalcy to
disturbed biological systems seems enormous. Uncovering the mechanisms responsible for
this may be a formidable challenge, but offers the promise of significantly advancing our
understanding of communicative processes in the body at a physical/atomic level, rather
than the current chemical/molecular level. This emerging paradigm is a theme that has been
developed at past Congresses, and will play a crucial role in shaping 21st century
medicine.
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