Electromagnets: A Revolutionary Way to Relieve Pain

Note from Drs. Roizen and Oz: Every now and then there's a medical advance that totally fascinates us. This blog features one of those -- a revolutionary way to relieve back, neck, foot and post-surgery pain. Dr. Oz also did a piece about it on his TV show and during it said, “I'm more excited about this segment than any we've done, because it's changing the practice of medicine.”

Physicians have long known "the body electric" is for real. Tiny electrical currents and magnetic fields are constantly firing off inside you, and a handful of scientists and medical innovators have been relentlessly pursuing how to harness these forces for healing.

They're succeeding, using what few docs know much about: magnets. Not the kind you stick on the fridge, but pulsating electromagnets. They produce invisible energy waves that increase blood flow and normalize certain electrical nerve impulses.

One FDA-approved device -- yep, they're that far -- relieves more than 50% of post-operative pain. Nobody appreciates what a godsend that is like an anesthesiologist (Dr. Mike) and a surgeon (Dr. Oz). Well, nobody except every surgery patient who's woken up to a world of hurt. Called the Torino, this post-op pain zapper is so new that even MDs who've vaguely heard of it probably think it's a new car.

How do devices that use a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) relieve post-op pain and -- you're about to get as excited as we are -- intractable back pain, neck pain, foot pain, and arthritis pain? Your nerves, cartilage, spinal fluid, bones, muscles and blood all rely on a symphony of dancing ions. PEMFs activate these electrically charged particles in ways that seem to turn off inflammation and turn on cell repair.

PEMFs rev up production of nitric oxide, which increases blood flow to the targeted area. (Nitric oxide also does some amazing things for your brain.) The combo stimulates an anti-inflammatory cascade that, in the Torino's case, not only halves post-op pain but also reduces swelling and speeds healing.

PEMF therapy also coaxes badly broken bones to mend that otherwise might not. When you break something, electrical "injury" currents rush through your bone, signaling instructions for knitting it back together. But in nasty breaks, that process short-circuits. To re-create the currents, surgeons implant electrodes into mangled bones (not much fun, plus you look like Frankenstein). Enter PEMF mats, bandages, and knee braces, which stimulate healing currents.

Aim PEMFs at damaged areas for 8 to 30 minutes, two to four times a day and you'll heal better faster. Side effects? Zero (at least, not short-term). The products are still too new to know whether there are long-term issues. (Full disclosure: Dr. Oz has no financial interest in any PEMF companies. Neither does Dr. Mike, although he's so excited about its medical potential that he may invest in one.)

So why hasn’t your doc even mentioned PEMF? Three reasons:

1. Docs are repelled by "medical magnet" charlatans selling bracelets, migraine goggles and shoe inserts, which are as healing as sugar cubes.
2. Few physicians know a thing about how PEMF affects cells, nitric oxide, and inflammation. (Here's another way to flight inflammation that both of us use daily.)
3. It takes so much time and money to prove that new medical devices are safe and effective that only two PEMF gizmos have earned FDA approval so far. Since neither is owned by a drug company with mega advertising bucks, your doc likely hasn't heard a word about them.

What does a PEMF treatment feel like? "Nothing," says one person who has "tried everything" for back pain. "You don't feel anything except immediately better afterward."

What if you or someone you love wants to try PEMF for pain that won't quit?

• Consider only devices that use pulsed electromagnetic fields.
• Watch "The Dr. Oz Show" on Nov. 16 to see some PEMF devices in action. If you're reading this blog after the show has aired, check Dr. Oz's site for highlights.
• For a list of PEMF products and info about them, including a knee brace for arthritis and a body mat for back pain, go to DoctorOz.com.

Here are other proven ways to start making chronic pain back off immediately.