Pulsed electro-magnetic frequency, or what is known as PEMF is a form of therapy that helps keep horses at their peak performance, and helps lameness, injuries, laminitis and wounds heal more efficiently.
Certified PEMF therapy machine operators utilize knowledge of the PEMF machine, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology to administer pulsed electromagnetic frequency waves at optimal levels throughout the body and in targeted areas.
The PEMF machine sends these electrical pulses through copper coils to produce electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves travel through the area and penetrate the body. The depth of penetration and level of intensity is inversely dependent upon the set frequency. For example, to achieve higher intensity the operator lowers the frequency on the machine and vice versa for a lower intensity.
As the pulse travels through the body, 2 ATP’s are added during the Krebs cycle of cellular regeneration increasing efficiency of the body’s metabolism. What does that mean? According to the National Library of Medicine, “ATP is commonly referred to as the ‘energy currency’ of the cell, as it provides readily releasable energy in the bond between the second and third phosphate groups. In addition to providing energy, the breakdown of ATP through hydrolysis serves a broad range of cell functions, including signaling and DNA/RNA synthesis. ATP synthesis utilizes energy obtained from multiple catabolic mechanisms, including cellular respiration, beta-oxidation, and ketosis.”
Krebs cycles are chain reactions occurring in the mitochondria (membrane-bound cell organelles), through which almost all living cells produce energy in aerobic respiration. It uses oxygen and gives out water and carbon dioxide as products.
“There are many theoretical hypotheses underlying PEMF’s healing ability, one of them is due to increased blood circulation and microcirculation by significant arteriolar vasodilatation, the widening of blood vessels as a result of relaxation of the blood vessel’s muscular wall. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, decrease edema and swelling, improve cell proliferation and differentiation potentials, and finally modulation of pain,” according to the National Library of Medicine.
Overall PEMF therapy can cause a small drop in blood pressure causing vasodilation. This helps increase the flow of the lymphatic system, and helps promote stem cell repair of affected areas.
The most common ailment PEMF therapy can be useful for is inflammation. Whether it be arthritis, laminitis, or lactic acid of sore muscles—PEMF therapy can be very useful for pain and healing management. As PEMF helps reduce swelling it in turn promotes faster healing in a variety of injuries including drainage of abscesses.
Jami Porter Hanan with Cactus J PEMF Therapy, LLC, serves the West Tennessee area. She says, “PEMF therapy has been around for two decades, but it just has not made its way to the south as much as other regions. I think it is not as well-known because of the costs of the machine and equipment in addition to the medial knowledge it takes to perform PEMF therapy safely and effectively.”
Jami continues, “For performance horses, horses in training, or older/chronic arthritic horses, I usually recommend every 2-4 weeks between therapy sessions if possible. The more consistent the PEMF therapy sessions are, the better the results. Clients can always tell when a session is missed.”
For horses with acute injuries such as lameness, laminitis, soft tissue injury, or hoof abscesses, Jami recommends reoccurring follow up therapy sessions ideally 1-2 times a week for a couple weeks. Then the sessions can gradually be spaced out, depending on the horse’s healing progress.
Jami also recommends using complementary therapies along with PEMF to enhance horses’ overall physical condition and or healing process such as equine massage, chiropractor, acupuncture, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and physical therapy.
Whether a performance horse is showing signs of muscle soreness, stiffness or just feels a bit dull, PEMF can assist with helping the horse feel its best. Whereas horses who are rehabbing from injuries can greatly benefit from the pulsed electro-magnetic frequencies to help reduce inflammation and promote blood circulation to targeted areas or injuries. The cost per session can range by the treatment and total treatment time; however, sessions can range from $50 per 30 minute session up to $135 per session for longer, depending on different therapists’ rates and travel. PEMF therapists may also offer bulk session packages to ensure clients are able to have consistent treatments to help keep their horses at their peak performance and overall health.
PEMF CASE STUDIES: Courtesy of Jami Porter Hanan with Cactus J PEMF Therapy, LLC
