Living with osteoarthritis (OA) can feel like carrying extra weight with every step you take—aches, stiffness, and swelling make even simple tasks frustrating. Thankfully, there may be a solution. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy—a drug-free treatment that uses gentle magnetic waves to calm joint pain and encourage tissues to heal—may hold the key to your pain-free life. Contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine to find out if this treatment option is right for you.
How Common Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis affects nearly one-in-five U.S. adults. In 2022, 18.9% of adults aged 18 and older reported a doctor’s diagnosis of arthritis, with rates rising from 3.6% in those ages 18–34 to 53.9% in adults 75 and older. Women (21.5%) were more likely than men (16.1%) to have OA.
OA develops when joint cartilage breaks down over time. Key risk factors include the following:
- Age: Prevalence increases dramatically after age 50.
- Gender: Women are disproportionately affected, especially post-menopause.
- Obesity: Excess weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints.
- Joint injury or overuse: Prior trauma or repetitive strain accelerates wear.
- Genetics and bone density: Family history and bone morphology can influence an individual’s chance of OA.
How Does PEMF Therapy Work?
PEMF devices send painless, low-energy magnetic pulses through your skin. Think of these pulses as small battery chargers for your cells. Once in the joint, these signals can help with your pain in the following ways:
- Turning down pain chemicals: PEMF lowers inflammatory substances like interleukin-1 that make joints ache.
- Turning up repair signals: PEMF boosts growth factors such as TGF-β that help new cartilage cells grow.
- Improving circulation: Better blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients that aching tissues need to mend.
What Benefits Can I Expect?
Most PEMF patients report less pain, with a 20–60% pain reduction within the first month. They also report an easier time climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, and walking become smoother as stiffness drops, as well as a reduced dependency on medication.
Who Is a Good Candidate for PEMF?
PEMF may help if you:
- Have knee, hip, hand, or ankle OA and wish to limit medication
- Can’t tolerate NSAIDs due to stomach, kidney, or heart issues
- Have had one joint replaced and want to delay surgery on another
- Stay active and need a therapy that blends with exercise or physical therapy
- Have health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that make steroid shots risky
How Safe Is PEMF?
PEMF uses energy far below safety limits set for industrial workers. Research has found no serious side effects for OA patients undergoing PEMF. For those who did experience noticeable side effects, their symptoms manifested as mild warmth or slight skin redness under the pad, which occurred in fewer than 2% of users and faded quickly.
What Does a Typical Treatment Plan Look Like?
PEMF protocols vary by device and lifestyle:
- In-office systems: 30–40-minutes sessions, three times weekly for six weeks
- Wearable coils: 8–12 hours daily for about a month
- PEMF mats/pads: Two 20-minute sessions daily for eight weeks
How Does PEMF Compare With Other Arthritis Treatments?
NSAID pills typically reduce pain by 15–30% but carry ulcer, blood pressure, and kidney risks over time. Cortisone shots offer quick relief (2–12 weeks) but repeated use may thin cartilage. Hyaluronic acid (“gel”) injections yield 10–20% improvement but require multiple shots and may not be fully covered.
By comparison, PEMF delivers consistent relief, with the main commitment being regular sessions.
Cost and Insurance
PEMF session costs vary by location and provider. On average, a 30-minute session ranges from $30 to $60. Home devices cost between $350 for basic units and over $25,000 for advanced systems.
Many health insurance plans do not cover PEMF for OA, viewing the treatment as investigational. However, some bone-growth stimulators (a type of PEMF) used for spinal fusion may be covered if prescribed and pre-authorized under medical necessity guidelines.
Unfortunately, Medicare and many private insurers classify PEMF for OA as experimental and deny coverage.
Can PEMF Combine With Exercise or Injections?
Think of exercise as your body’s tune-up for healthier joints. A little movement each day can ease stiffness, build muscle support, and help you feel more confident on your feet.
Aim for about two and a half hours a week of activities that get your heart pumping—but don’t feel the need to do it all at once. Try 15-minute walks, a short bike ride around the block, or a quick lap in the pool. These “mini workouts” add up to big benefits over time.
Twice or three times a week, consider spending 20–30 minutes on simple leg and hip exercises—think gentle squats, seated leg presses, or side-lying leg lifts. Strong quads and hip muscles act like built-in shock absorbers, taking pressure off painful joints.
Every morning, make some time for a quick stretching routine: Reach for your toes, circle your hips, or gently pull your calf muscle can help you stay flexible and make everyday tasks feel smoother.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of PEMF?
Patients often wonder whether the relief they feel after a few weeks of PEMF will last—or if they will need to repeat treatments constantly. Current evidence shows that PEMF’s benefits in osteoarthritis can endure for many months, even up to two years, with only a mild, gradual decline and the option of straightforward “booster” courses to refresh results.
Patients often combine annual booster PEMF courses with targeted exercise, weight management, and occasional injections for flare-ups.
Find Relief with the PEMF For Osteoarthritis at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine
If you’re tired of aching joints or worried about long-term medication side effects, PEMF offers a gentle, science-backed alternative. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, you can expect an experienced team of board-certified, fellowship-trained physiatrists, comprehensive care, and same-day appointments by filling out our online form.
Our caring team will tailor a plan blending PEMF, movement coaching, and complementary therapies so you can walk, climb, and live life with less pain. Take the first step today and discover what PEMF for osteoarthritis at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine can do for you.