PEMF for treating headaches and migraines
Treatment with pulsed electromagnetic field or PEMF therapy can be very effective for treating headaches and migraines. There are several clinical studies that have proven the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the treatment of migraine and headache disorders.
Headache is something that almost all of us experience in our life. There are different types of headaches.
But its three common types are: migraine, tension (nervous) headache and cluster headache [1].
According to the World Health Organization, 15% of the world’s population is affected by migraine and it can also cause serious neurological disabilities.
Migraine is a hereditary disease that is usually unilateral and sometimes bilateral, with moderate to severe pain that worsens with physical activity and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia [1] (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia [2]. (fear of loud noise) be accompanied. Migraines can occur at any time of the day and last from 4 to 72 hours.
The pathogenic mechanism is unclear, it seems that there is a genetic basis behind the development of migraine. Several changes have been identified in the development of migraine, and in addition to genetic reasons, the environment also plays a special role in the occurrence of this disorder, so that, on the one hand, genetic changes are probably responsible for the onset of migraine, and on the other hand, environmental factors as an aggravator of this disorder. The disease is related. [2]
The peak prevalence of migraine in women is during reproductive age, and compared to men, women experience more symptoms and complications of migraine, which are related to the changes in female sex hormones during this period. Changes in the level of female sex hormones affect the occurrence of migraine during pregnancy and to some extent breastfeeding, and the main mechanism of migraine is menstruation [3].
In order to learn about the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field or PEMF therapy, to relieve headaches and migraines, we must learn about this disease, its causes and symptoms, and then evaluate the clinical evidence of PEMF therapy for this disease.
Why is PEMF the best way to treat headaches and migraines?
As a complementary therapy, PEMF can be a good solution for headaches and migraines because this pain relief technology is non-invasive and drug-free. Pulsed electromagnetic fields applied to the brain act as transcranial magnetic stimulation [3] (TMS).
Headaches and migraines can occur due to anxiety, stress, and inflammation in the brain. Also, excessive use of some drugs can be a reason for headaches or migraines. Scientists from the Department of Neurology at UCLA (California) stated in an article that blood flow or vascular function is disrupted during a migraine attack, which can be used as a therapeutic target [2].
A recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic evaluated the effect of PEMF therapy on vascular function and blood pressure in patients with hypertension in a placebo-controlled trial. The obtained result showed that 12 weeks of PEMF treatment may improve blood pressure and vascular function in patients with high blood pressure [4].
Treatment of headache and migraine caused by menstrual cycle and PEMF
Hormonal imbalance may occur during menstrual periods in women, it can also cause migraines or frequent headaches. In a research review from the Graham Headache Center published in the journal Headache, it was explained that estrogen levels decrease and therefore lead to a decrease in serotonin, which in turn causes migraines and depression [5].
A lot of research has been done on PEMF therapy for depression. In 1996, Dr. Sandyk, one of the pioneers of PEMF research in the United States, conducted a case study [4] and proved that PEMF facilitates serotonin neurotransmission [6]. Therefore, PEMF can be a suitable treatment option by improving causes and symptoms. PEMF is also effective and useful for women with menstrual disorders or painful menstruation [7].
Treatment of headache and migraine with PEMF
Low-frequency, low-intensity PEMFs have been studied in numerous research studies for the treatment of headaches and migraines, as well as sleep disorders, stroke rehabilitation, and pain management.
In 2016, the International Journal of Clinical Trials published the results of a randomized, single-blind [5] and placebo-controlled trial conducted in Iran that studied the efficacy of PEMF in refractory migraine or persistent long-term headache disorders. Researchers have concluded that PEMF stimulation at 10 Hz can be a useful treatment in cases where standard and/or invasive treatments have failed [8].
Madigan Army Medical Center, Washington conducted a clinical trial and found many benefits of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF therapy) for migraines. They used an interesting method using PEMF on the inner thigh to treat migraine [9]. Acupuncture, physical therapy and TCM practitioners can easily explain this connection here.
Migraine is a multidimensional disease and often appears silently and causes pain or discomfort in other parts of the body. The nervous system that makes us feel pain is essential for survival and connects our entire body including the brain, spine, muscles, and more.
Therefore, whole body stimulation and balance is probably a simple strategy to achieve success that urgently needs clinical investigation. There are many benefits to PEMF therapy in addition to treating headaches and migraines, so a complete system is probably the best way to get a suitable PEMF therapy device for regular use.
Conclusion of the article on the treatment of headache and migraine
PEMF therapy or pulsed electromagnetic wave therapy is a non-invasive and drug-free therapy that can certainly be an excellent option for the treatment of headaches and migraines in the future. There is ample evidence to warrant further research and trials into the use of PEMF therapy for headaches and migraines, and its success has been proven in numerous studies.
Sources:
1. Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. Cephalalgia. 1988;8 Suppl 7:1-96. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3048700
2. Brennan K, Charles A. An update on the blood vessel in migraine. Current Opinion in Neurology. Published online June 2010:266-274. doi:10.1097/wco.0b013e32833821c1
3. Burch R. Epidemiology and Treatment of Menstrual Migraine and Migraine During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Narrative Review. Headache. 2020 Jan;60(1):200-216. doi: 10.1111/head.13665. Epub 2019 Oct 3. PMID: 31579938.
4. Stewart G, Wheatley-Guy C, Johnson B, Shen W, Kim C. Impact of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on vascular function and blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2020;22(6):1083-1089. doi:10.1111/jch.13877
5. Loder E. Menstrual migraine: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and impact. Headache. 2006;46 Suppl 2:S55-60. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00555.x
6. Sandyk R. Freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease is improved by treatment with weak electromagnetic fields. Int J Neurosci. 1996;85(1-2):111-124. doi:10.3109/00207459608986356
7. Kamal H, Abd El Aziz A, El Nahas E. Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on menstrual distress in primary dysmenorrhoeic women. J Med Sci Res. Published online 2018:250. doi:10.4103/jmisr.jmisr_85_18
8. Hatef B, Hashemirad F, Meftahi GH, et al. The efficiency of pulsed electromagnetic field in refractory migraine headaches: a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group. Int J Clin Trials. Published online February 14, 2016:24. doi:10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20160475
9. Sherman R, Acosta N, Robson L. Treatment of migraine with pulsing electromagnetic fields: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Headache. 1999;39(8):567-575. doi:10.1046/j.1526-4610.1999.3908567.x
[1] Photophobia
[2] phonophobia
[3] transcranial magnetic stimulation
[4] case studies
[5] single-blind In a single-blind study: the person in charge of the experiment has information about the type of drug or method applied, but the patient is not aware of this information.
