intensity

Intensity of pulsed electromagnetic fields, generated by PEMF systems, is one of the most crucial parameters to obtain beneficial and effective results of your PEMF device. 
 
Magnetic field intensity or magnetic field strength is defined in Tesla (symbol T) and named after the scientist Nikola Tesla. It is also known as "magnetic flux density" or "magnetic induction". Previously electromagnetic field intensity was expressed in Gauss (symbol G) which is 10.000 times larger than Tesla. 
 
Because intensity is very important for effectice PEMF therapy devices, and because very often confusion exists between micro Tesla and milli Tesla (milli is a factor 1000 x larger than micro), hereunder is a table showing the differences between these values. 
Some manufacturers write mTesla in order to confuse the reader, but the correct scientific way for use of these symbols is mT for milli Tesla and μT for micro Tesla. 

PEMF therapy can only be effective if the field strength of the pulsing electromagnetic signal is sufficiently powerful to penetrate deep enough inside the cells and bones to cause the desired effect.

In order for this to happen the applied energy levels must be sufficiently high, otherwise only a minimal and superficial effect will occur.

In 1956 two Japanese scientists discovered the so called piezo-electric effect of bones. By mechanically bending a bone and measuring an electrical voltage between two electrodes attached over the bone, they proved that electrical properties exist inside bones. 
 
An example of the piezo electric effect is your own alarm clock. Your clock contains a piezo crystal with an electrical connection at both sides. When your clock reaches the preset wake-up time, an oscillating electrical voltage is applied to the crystal causing small mechanical movements and resulting in the sound you hear.
 
When a pulsing magnetic field penetrates into a bone the opposite effect takes place. The pulsing magnetic effects cause tiny mechanical movements, resulting in small electrical currents inside the bones and cells. These micro currents are responsible for the beneficial effects occurring inside the body and if the intensities of the pulsing magnetic fields are too low to sufficiently penetrate deep inside the body, no effect will take place!

The only way to prove if the field indeed completely penetrates the body is to check if it is still possible to detect a pulsing magnetic field at the opposite side of the body. E.g. if the field is applied at the back it must be possible to show its existence still at the chest, otherwise it can never penetrate deep enough into the body! 
 
The human body is unable to feel the magnetic pulses themselves but only the effects they cause. You can, however, easily detect a sufficiently strong pulsed magnetic field by holding a static magnet in your hand above the applicator containing the coils. You can now clearly feel the pulses in your hand with exactly the same pulse repetition rate (frequency) generated by the device. This effect happens because the pulsing magnetic fields distort the static magnetic field of the magnet, resulting in the pulsing movements you can now easily feel in your hand.

Something is wrong if a company talks about the intensity of the earth magnetic field and tell you that weak natural magnetic fields work better than strong PEMF.
Some even like the expression "Less is more" which is of course scientific nonsense.
The geomagnetic field strength varies over the surface of the earth. The intensity of the magnetic field over South America has a minimum strength of 22 micro Tesla and reaches a maximum of 67 micro Tesla over the south of Australia.
 
This explains why a PEMF device with a field strenght of only 70 micro Tesla cannot penetrate deep into the human body and influence cells and cannot have much beneficial effects.

(Source : Curatronic)

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy output has two measurable qualities that are commonly misrepresented, misunderstood, and even mixed up: frequency (cycles per second, measured in hertz), and intensity (magnetic flux density per centimetre squared, measured in gauss). For personal therapy, the frequency is comparable to that of the geomagnetic field of Earth, called the Schumann Resonances, which rarely surpass 50 hertz. Frequency is not synonymous with intensity thus warrants clarification.

With intensity being the strength of magnetic flux density, it can be a more difficult concept to understand, but essentially, it’s the output power (or strength) of the magnetic field, and a main factor in the possible depth achievable in therapeutic application.
 
Low-Intensity versus High-Intensity

Low-intensity means PEMF machines capable of an output of up to a maximum of 1000 gauss, and high-intensity is anything above that. For perspective, Earth generates a gauss of approximately 0.5, whereas an MRI produces a magnetic field of 15,000 gauss (but remember: gauss is only one factor – there are many that determine function and application).

Therapeutic PEMF machines come in many varieties. These range from cushions you can lay on, hoops you can place over a pet, and even to apparatuses you can place on your head! Most of these devices are low-intensity machines.

We reached out to the manufacturers of many wearable blankets for horses and noticed that almost all of the most popular brands, even at their maximum intensity, were only capable of up to 50 or 100 gauss. At that level, it simply means there is less depth of field. A blanket with 100 gauss has a penetrable depth of no more than 2 to 3 inches. While that will still feel nice and deliver a beneficial energy to tissues, it will require daily use for longer periods to achieve comparable results to a high-intensity machine.

High-intensity machines have as much variation as their low-intensity counterparts, but the key distinction is their depth of penetration. The machine we use is capable of penetrating up to 18 inches of tissue with an electromagnetic field, meaning that we can access and deliver the therapeutic benefits to the deep tissues on horses and large livestock, directly reaching the deep muscles, organs, and gastrointestinal tract. Because that much more tissue is accessed, it also reduces session times and achieves results faster, accomplishing much more with fewer sessions needed.

With that kind of scope, it’s no wonder it raises concerns, but these machines have been tested, proven safe and effective, and are highly adjustable to be comfortably applied to even the most sensitive horses. Coupled with the extremely low frequency, it feels more like a gentle massage.

PEMF for Health

We are electromagnetic beings living on an electromagnetic planet. Because our own bodies generate an electromagnetic field, some skeptics are concerned that PEMF, particularly high-intensity PEMF, disrupts this process. The simple fact is we actually need a low-frequency EMF acting on our tissues for good health. NASA discovered this when astronauts would get inexplicably sick while in space, and realized that the Schumann Resonances, an earthly phenomenon we have evolved in harmony with, is a necessary component for our healthy bodily functions. The external stimulation helps keep our cells charged for better health. The frequency in therapeutic PEMF is so low that it’s essentially just replicating that of the Schumann Resonances, and we are simply intensifying it for therapeutic purposes. Using various therapeutic intensities, we can better stimulate our bodies from the cellular level to optimize and promote improved overall wellness.

(Source : MearaPulse)

Lots of confusing and misleading information is on the internet, posted by sales people selling PEMF devices.
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Impressive videos explaining that intensity is not important by throwing around complicated formulas [Oersted, Coulomb, Ampere, Faraday, Maxwell just to mention a few] which are impossible to understand for people who have no solid background in physics.
 
Difficult words are used [permeability constant, magnetic flux density, coherent fields etc.] which for lay people are incomprehensible and might actually make some people believe that the offered information is probably right.
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Some of these self-appointed experts claim that high intensity of PEMF devices is not important and on this page we will explain why this is not the case and for high efficacy high intensities are a must.
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Explanations on this page do go a little deeper into the science than on the Intensity page on this website, but the information is still very well understandable for people who just want to know what the best device is for their applications.
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Let’s take a closer look why high intensity is very important to obtain deep penetration into the cells and bones and why low intensity PEMF systems are far from being effective compared to high intensity systems.

Why do we really need high intensity PEMFs?
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Pulsing magnetic fields induce small electrical currents into the human body. However distribution and absorption of these electrical currents in the body depend not so much on electromagnetic permeability [which can be seen as some form of resistance to the degree of magnetization] but more depend on the dielectric properties of different tissues, which is different for organs, blood, bones etc.

Blood is a bio-magnetic fluid, which behaves as a magnetic fluid because of interaction of cellular proteins, cell membrane and haemoglobin for which the magnetic property is affected by factors such as the level of oxygenation saturation. Oxygenated blood is paramagnetic and de-oxygenated blood is diamagnetic up to certain levels. 
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In this picture the dielectric properties of the human body parts are shown with the their relevant dielectric penetration depth and dissipation [efficacy] of the induced currents at a pulsing frequency 10 Hz. We can now clearly see that there are large differences between e.g. blood and bone marrow [more than 3.5 times] and as such to obtain complete penetration in order to rebuild bone and cartilage, much higher electrical currents [and thus intensities] are neccesary than required for blood to obtain the desired effect.
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Another example: To penetrate the brain [cerebellum] deep inside the head the induced current must be almost 5 times higher than the required value for blood!
 
Low intensity PEMF systems cannot penetrate at a cellular level as required for bone, heart, kidney etc. etc. and only have superficial effects at the surface level and as such will only improve blood flow circulation, that’s all!

Wave propagation
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Then there is the issue of electromagnetic wave propagation in the human body.
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Batteries of implanted devices like pumps, pacemakers etc. can nowadays be charged wirelessly exactly the same way as we charge our smartphones with a charging pad. This method is called wireless power transfer.

Because electromagnetic wave propagation is different in skin, fat and muscles, implanted devices are preferrably placed in fat tissue because the electromagnetic charging currents are coupled much easier with less energy loss from the charger outside the body to the implanted device.

This is another reason why we have to start out with high intensities at skin level to be able to reach deep inside the body otherwise the energy loss caused by skin and muscles will prevent the PEMF pulses to reach the area to be treated deep inside the body.

Electromagnetic scattering, reflection and absorbtion in skin

Then there is the issue of electromagnetic scattering, reflection and absoption of the applied electromagnetic fields on human skin somewhat similar as light behaves when shining through translucent glass. There will always be some intensity loss and changes in the direction of the magnetic field lines at skin level, disturbing the coherence of the electromagnetic field.
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This effect is even stronger taking into account the curvature, torsion, change in thickness of capillaries and sweat on the skin, infuencing the magnetic susceptibility of the body.
 
Of course this effect will be felt much more with low intensity fields than with high intensity pulsing fields because of the losses which occur.
If low intensity pulsing magnetic fields should be sufficient for completely penetrating the human body, why does the minimum required magnetic field strength of clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] machines start at 0.3 Tesla [3.000 Gauss] and going up to more than 3 Tesla?
 
The higher the intensity of the magnetic field of MRI machines, the better the picture quality and resolution obtained because of the complete penetration of the high intensity electromagnetic pulses into the organs of the body!
 
Low intensity pulses would not even be able to generate a simple low quality picture, exactly because the body can not be effective penetrated by weak electromagnetic fields.

(Source: Curatronic.com)

PEMF-What is it?
According to Richard Harris, a biomedical research reporter and author of Rigor Mortis: How Sloppy Science Creates Worthless Cures, Crushes Hope, and Wastes Billions, 

"conventional medical treatments cover only 7.14% of the 7000 known medical conditions"

What does that tell you? You have to drop your guard and start exploring the numerous benefits of alternative medicine.

PEMF, Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field therapy is an alternative and non-invasive way to help treat chronic pain, depression, injuries, stress and many more conditions that are hardly treatable with conventional medicine.

PEMF devices work by emitting electromagnetic fields and their goal is to trigger cellular resonance in cells, so as to propel the cells to respond to the source of energy. The discharge of energy targets the troubled cells and once it touches upon them it revitalizes the cells. It acts like a phone charger, except that it charges our cells. When cells' batteries are fully charged, cells become transmitters of energy. Hence the reason why you could feel a shift of energy to other parts of the body.

The benefits of treating your condition with PEMF devices are indisputable but you have to be aware of the fact that PEMF devices differ in strength; there are Low-level power PEMF devices as well as High-level power PEMF devices. Hence it is extremely important to fully understand your condition and its requirements, so as to choose the right one between these two alternatives. Of course, that doesn't mean that you can't use both of them simultaneously. Check out our beginners guide to PEMF devices for more information.

TECHNICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOW-LEVEL AND HIGH-LEVEL POWER PEMF DEVICES
The main difference between high-level and low-level power PEMF devices is in their power ie how much electricity (measured in volts) is generated to produce the magnetic field (measured in Gauss). Both of them transfer waves that pass through the cells in the problem area and increase the spin of electrons within the cells. Low intensity PEMF devices usually generate less than 1,000 Gauss while high Intensity PEMF devices from 1,000 to 50,000 Gauss. Hence, low intensity devices discharge way less energy than do high intensity ones. Low intensity devices use lower-end frequencies with the aim to hit and disturb targeted frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum. Opposite of that, high intensity ones use higher-end frequencies that enables them to disturb and excite all the frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum at once.

Additionally, there is a difference in the way in which PEMF devices create the magnetic field. Some academic papers classify low intensity PEMF devices as resonant systems as through repeated waveforms they deliver the magnetic field. Unlike in high intensity PEMF devices, the process in low intensity ones is computerized. They deliver magnetic fields at set frequencies that generally maintain a particular repeating waveform in form of sine, square or saw tooth over prolonged periods of time. However, it is possible for this waveform to change but that change is almost insignificant to the form of the wave as a whole.

On the other hand, high intensity PEMF devices are classified as impulse systems as they deliver the magnetic field through impulses that are propelled by an abrupt release of energy. That's the point when the energy reaches its peak and it is the reason behind high intensity PEMF devices' ability to create energy in and around the cell. Afterwards, echo frequencies way weaker in size follow until the whole power is diminished.

Now that we've talked about the technicalities in which they differ, it is time for you to do a small task which is to create a list regarding your condition and its requirements as it is an essential part in deciding which device is more suitable for treating your condition.

YOUR CONDITION, YOUR REQUIREMENTS

The decision of whether to use high-level or low-level power PEMF devices depends on:
•Severity of your condition
•Time limitation (Long-term vs Short-term results)
•Price of device

LOW-LEVEL POWER PEMF DEVICE
SEVERITY OF YOUR CONDITION

With low-level power PEMF devices, cellular resonance is much less likely to occur because there is a relatively low amount of energy discharge that tackles your trouble spot. The frequencies produced are not induced as in high-level power devices. Instead, they pass through a couple of contact points to come to the right spot and in that process a lot of the energy is already released. As a matter of fact, there are some academic papers stating that some low intensity providers are not PEMF but rather PEMS therapy providers. PEMS therapy is a very low intensity therapy that is usually used in treating pain. As nerves are the transmitters to the pain, PEMS work in blocking those signals. However, as energy discharge is relatively low, it can only penetrate the skin between 2 to 3 centimeters. Or in other cases, it can completely diminish by the time it comes to the trouble spot.

Therefore, low-level power PEMF devices are not really recommended if you have a severe condition such as a serious injury of some type or stronger, persistent and unbearable chronic pain which is the number one medical condition. On the opposite, if you have a minor problem that requires longer time period to be resolved, you should definitely go with lower level power PEMF devices.

TIME LIMITATION

As low-level power PEMF devices discharge less electricity and the cells revitalization occurs way slower, they require way more time than high level power PEMF devices to attack the problem. With low-level power devices there is no particular mechanism which you can use to induce cellular resonance. Hence the reason why these are used to fight off smaller problems, such as sleep trouble or mild depression. But one thing is for certain, you need to have patience as effects from low intensity devices take time to show so don't be discouraged if you are going through the therapy and still haven't seen any measurable results. Research papers have already analyzed the time you need to go through low-level power PEMF therapy to combat insomnia to quick several session per day. However, to combat more complicated problems you need to do daily session ranging from 1 to 3 hours, multiple times a day. 

Therefore, if the severity of your condition is relatively low and you are not time limited, than undergoing a low-level power PEMF therapy would be ideal for you. Stress, sleep deprivation and depression are usual conditions for which the low-level power PEMF devices are used.

HIGH-LEVEL POWER PEMF DEVICE
SEVERITY OF YOUR CONDITION

With its high dosage of energy discharge, high-level power PEMF devices are most likely to succeed in producing cellular resonance as the current of energy directly hits and tackles the problem. Unlike low-level power PEMF devices, high intensity ones attack the core, so it is not possible for electrical discharge to be completely diminished before it hits the cells.

The amazing effect of the high-level power PEMF devices has already been researched in many academic papers. When a large discharge of energy goes to the red blood cells it causes them to bounce, thus working towards improving the immune responses. On the other hand, when this current hits the white blood cells it induces them to increase in size and mobility, thus enabling them to be more efficient in capturing bacteria and other pathogens. Some research shows that this device can even eliminate floating cancer cells by stimulating the white blood cells.

Hence, it is recommended to use high-level power PEMF device for more complicated conditions or if you are keen on faster solutions. It is mainly used in healing injured tissues, and damaged bones and tissues. 

TIME LIMITATION

Patients using high-level power PEMF devices usually see results in a shorter span of time. The strong electric currents disturb the problem areas quickly, hence they react rapidly. That doesn't necessarily mean that your therapy would last for a way shorter period of time when compared to low-level powered therapy but It would definitely decrease the amount of time spend per day on therapy.

Hence, if your condition is severe and/or if you are time limited and want to experience the benefits of the therapy quickly it would be highly recommended to use the high-level powered devices.

(Source : OxfordMedicals)

The NASA PEMF Study : Low Intensity, Low Frequency is BEST

PEMF : Intensity of the magnetic field

PEMF Machines – Why Intensity Matters

Electromagnetic machines are manufactured and distributed by numerous companies, all of whom have their own opinions on intensity when it comes to pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. This debate has been ongoing for years with manufacturers falling on both sides.

You might hear from one that high intensities are not necessary and can even be dangerous. Another will tell you that low intensities don’t have the therapeutic power you need. The truth of the matter is magnetic pulse therapy is used for such a wide variety of needs that all intensities are effective – depending on what you are treating for.

A quick physics lesson

Dosimetry is the scientific term used to describe the intensity of the stimulus, the amount of stimulation time, the volume of tissue being stimulated, and the desired outcome. Dosimetry is based on two laws of physics which can help you understand how pulsed electromagnetic field therapy works, and how it can help the body.

The first is Faraday’s law, which is represented with the equation dB/dt=T/s. In that equation, d is change, B is peak intensity, and t is time, T is Tesla and s is second. This law is describing the impact on the magnetic field of the change in intensity over the time it takes to reach its peak.

Magnetic pulse therapy creates energy, a charge, in the tissues. Because of Faraday’s law we know that the more charge you need, the higher the intensity of the PEMF signal needs to be. The higher intensity you reach, in the shortest amount of time, the higher the charge produced in the body’s tissues. That’s why many high intensity PEMF machines can cause muscles to contract superficially, and, at the same time reach deep into the body, allowing them to be very effective on a range of health conditions.

The second important natural law of physics, when thinking about pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, is the inverse square rule or law. The farther away the tissue you are trying to stimulate is from the source of the magnetic field, the more the intensity of the magnetic field will have decreased. That means that if you are treating an organ deep inside the body, but applying PEMF therapy to the outside, a much higher intensity is needed to begin with, to create the right charge at the desired organ.

The benefit of high intensity PEMF machines

Research indicates that there are a wide range of possible clinical applications for high intensity pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. Research on pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on the brain, called rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), often uses extremely high-intensity magnetic fields, and no adverse effects have been found. In one 2006 study, participants received 12,690 magnetic pulses per day three times per week, with no negative side effects. That demonstrates the safety of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, even at very high intensities.

Faraday’s law tells us that in order to achieve real healing, the dB/dT must be higher so that the PEMF signal can pass deep enough into the body to increase charge in the necessary tissues. Because magnetic field intensity drops so fast as it gets farther away from the coil (applicator), the area closest to the coil gets the most intensity. The other side of the body receives a much lower intensity, which may not give the targeted area the needed field intensity to work adequately.

A distance of just 2.3 inches away from the applicator can see a 98% drop in intensity, from 100 mT (1,000 gauss or 100,000 microTesla) magnetic field to around 2mT (20 gauss or 2,000 microTesla). And that ratio holds true, no matter how strong the magnetic field is to begin with. With a drop like that, any issue that is deep within the body needs a sufficiently high intensity in order to reach and treat the problem.

Research that shows benefits for specific health conditions consistently use high intensity machines, those with magnetic fields greater than 30 to 50 Gauss (3-5 mT). Very low intensity systems, producing 100 micro Tesla (1 gauss or 0.01mT), for instance, were not found to provide much benefit to chronic health conditions.

Research also reinforces the idea that intensity is perhaps more important than any other component of a therapeutic magnetic field, including frequency or waveform, which still rely on the intensity of the PEMF signal. For most PEMF devices, the higher the frequency, the lower the intensity produced.

Those with chronic conditions may turn to medication more often if a lower intensity system is used. One study that compared a 0.5 gauss (50 microTesla) PEMF with a 15 gauss (1,500 microTesla) PEMF system used for six hours per day for 90 days in the treatment of arthritis found that NSAID use was 26% in the higher intensity group and 75% in the lower intensity group.

Treatment time needed is also shown to be considerably shorter when using higher intensities. In another study, using “medium intensity,” researchers used a 35 mT (350 gauss / 35,000 microTelsa) PEMF for 15 minutes over 15 treatment sessions and found the signal improved hip arthritis pain in 86% of the patients. PEMFs of 40 mT (400 gauss or 40,000 microTesla) for 20 minutes per day reduced or eliminated pain in between 90 and 95% of patients with lumbar osteoarthritis.

For specific problems, then, long treatment times (or even continuous treatment) may be necessary to produce results. But medium to high intensity systems can relieve symptoms with just minutes of daily treatment in less than a month.

Increasing treatment time won’t always balance out lack of intensity, however. If the magnetic pulse therapy is barely reaching the target tissue, benefits are likely to be very small, if achieved at all. Passive benefits might be possible, but most research demonstrates that having the right charge in tissues is a clear reason for PEMF therapy to be is effective. Therefore, using the right intensity is a critical factor in successful treatment.

When are low intensities sufficient?

If a problem originates just below the surface, such as a bruise or bug bite that is becoming infected, a low intensity system might do the trick. That’s because the magnetic field doesn’t need to travel deep into the body to heal these problems.

When the overall goal is to use PEMF therapy for health maintenance, a low intensity system spread out over a larger body area can have a positive impact. In general, however, to benefit specific health conditions in a meaningful way, higher intensities are necessary.

Selecting the TeslaFit product that’s right for you

When purchasing a PEMF system, you need to consider your own unique needs. What condition will you be using the electromagnetic machine to treat? How long do you want to spend on treatment? Do you want to treat the whole body at once, or a targeted area only?

There are three primary models of TeslaFit high intensity PEMF devices, with desktop and portable options, and a range of intensities. The highest intensity system, the TeslaFit Pro, is often used in clinical settings, but is available for home use if desired. A consultation can help you select the best system, which can offer sufficient intensity for your unique needs.

References:
Anderson B, Mishory A, Nahas Z, Borckardt JJ, Yamanaka K, Rastogi K, George MS. Tolerability and safety of high daily doses of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy young men. J ECT. 2006 Mar; 22(1):49-53. 

(Source : TeslaFit)

The NASA PEMF Study : Low Intensity, Low Frequency is BEST

PEMF : Intensity of the magnetic field

Low level Vs High level power PEMF