Submitted by Dr Jennifer Penrose for Penrose Physical Therapy
With over two decades of experience, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of our field firsthand. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy via BEMER — a tool that could be a game-changer for many people.
When I first started practicing, physical therapy was all about hands-on skills and teaching people how to move better. We still do that — using our hands to manipulate tissues and joints and guiding patients in using the correct muscles in the proper sequences. Our fast-paced society demands quicker results, and thankfully, technology has stepped in to meet those expectations. I’m always trying to find ways to help people heal faster and feel at their best.
One of the most exciting advancements is PEMF therapy and specifically the one made by BEMER, a form of regenerative medicine that stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. By increasing microcirculation, PEMF helps restore energy, improve overall health, and feel better. When our blood flow increases, we can recover from injuries faster and feel better. For instance, tendons typically have a poor blood supply and can take months to heal. PEMF therapy helps increase blood flow, potentially speeding up healing when used alongside traditional physical therapy. If you can increase micro circulation than you can help the body clear out waste faster like inflammation. If you have had surgery or an injury then you know how inflammation can slow down your recovery and limit the ability to get your range of motion back.
Yet, PEMF isn’t just for tendon injuries; it’s also been shown to help with bone healing, arthritis and even recovery from strenuous exercise or post op recoveries. The BEMER device, a U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) is a class 2 medical PEMF device developed with astronauts in mind, is an excellent example of how this technology can be used. A class 2 medical device requires that the device has research to substantiate it’s claims. BEMER is the only PEMF device that has this and largely due to it’s unique wave form and frequencies patented with NASA engineers. It was initially designed to counteract the adverse effects of space travel, such as muscle loss and decreased bone density. Today, it’s available for patients and even world-class athletes who want to recover faster and feel better naturally. BEMER is in hospitals, universities, and professional athletes and teams use it as their secret weapon.
A therapist in the pulmonary unit had a patient rent a BEMER unit for a month and he was able to go from low 80% oxygen saturation and 4 Liters of oxygen to 2 Liters of Oxygen and saturation in the 90s after 1 month. He decided to purchase it for home and is able to live a much better quality of life using it daily. The BEMER device increases micro circulation and over consistent use it has had profound impacts on people and their ability to function with disease and those who just want to feel their best. The main claim is “Better Circulation. Better Life.”
One of the things I love about PEMF by BEMER is its versatility. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or an aging client looking to recover more quickly after exercise or a younger athlete wanting to push your limits, PEMF can make a noticeable difference. The technology is safe, even for those with metal implants, thanks to its very low frequency. It’s also an excellent option for people with conditions like diabetes, where slow blood flow can hinder recovery. In fact, some surgeons won’t even perform tendon surgery on diabetics due to poor circulation and slow recovery rates — another area where PEMF can really shine.
PEMF increases microcirculation flushing the body of the waste, lactic acid, CO2, and inflammation out and brings in new blood flow so new nutrients and oxygen. As we age our blood flow does become sluggish and our tiny micro blood vessels maybe pump 1x a min to even as slow as 1x every 10min. With BEMER this increases to 3 pumps per min in the micro vessels. This is likely because our blood flow decreases as we age, so when we do get this surge in circulation, we feel it! However, for anyone looking for the best results, I recommend pairing multiple sessions alongside your usual physical therapy treatments. Most of the research shows using the device daily for more than a month to see lasting results. The increase in circulation lasts 18 hours so that is why the research showing results had subjects using the device daily. There are numerous studies using the BEMER on PubMed.
When you use the BEMER you simply lay on a mat and the an additional strap can be applied to a local area to increase the amount of PEMF to that area. The entire body does have exposure by laying on the mat. You don’t feel anything at the time – there is no actual electrical impulse or electrodes attached to you. Here is a video on YouTube that helps show the effects on blood flow.
As we celebrate National Physical Therapy Month this fall, I’m excited to share these advancements with you. It’s a privilege to be part of a field that continues to evolve and offer new ways to enhance our patients’ lives. If you’d like to learn more about PEMF therapy, don’t hesitate to contact us — we’re always here to support your journey to better health. We have options to use the BEMER daily for a week or a monthly membership basis. Unfortunately, like many regenerative treatments insurance does not cover PEMF (similar to PRP and Stem cell category but not nearly as costly).
Penrose Physical Therapy will continue to work at providing the community with effective health and wellness options. We were thrilled to place again in the Best of South Sound Physical Therapy Clinics in 2024 and continue our commitment to excellence to our clients in the South Sound.
For more great information tune into Dr. Penrose on the Stay Healthy South Sound Podcast or visit our website. Penrose Physical Therapy is located in Lacey at 1445 Galaxy Dr. NE Suite 301 Lacey WA 98516. 360.456.1444.
