PEMF Biomat & Chi Machine Sessions

Invented in the late 1980s, the Chi machine is an exercise machine of Japanese origin. The Chi machine was designed for passive aerobic exercise, a form of exercise which basically involves applying constant movement to parts of the body through an outside force which may be another individual or a motion machine. During this form of low impact exercise, oxygen is metabolized to produce energy which is dispersed to all parts of the body. Many forms of massage use similar techniques of rocking. Minimal effort is required to use the machine; all you have to do is lie on your back with your ankles propped on the machine supports. The machine then sways your legs back and forth at a set speed, mimicking the Japanese martial arts move known as “the goldfish”. As the body is rocking, muscles are able to relax into the repetitive sway providing gentle relief.

Benefits of using the Chi Machine

Since the introduction of the Chi machine, several claims have been made concerning the benefits it brings to the body, some of which include; 

Improved Blood Flow 

Staying sedentary for long periods of time can impair the flow of blood from the legs to the feet. The goldfish motions of the Chi machine help to stimulate the legs and feet, thereby increasing blood circulation to the lower half of the body. 

Weight Loss 

Weight loss is actually one of the major benefits of exercising, so it stands to reason that the Chi machine would offer the same option. It is interesting to note that exercising with this machine can allow you to burn as many calories as you would while walking, and this is especially beneficial for individuals with limited mobility. 

Reduced Leg and Back Pain/Swelling 

By stimulating blood flow in the lower parts of the body, the Chi machine can effectively loosen up stiff joints and muscles of the legs and lower back. This effect has the added advantage of reducing any form of pressure or swelling in the lower part of the body.  

Enhanced Lymphatic Function 

The lymphatic system is responsible for cleansing the body of toxins and other waste materials, and it performs this function by circulating a fluid called lymph, which contains white blood cells, around the body. The Chi Machine can help in improving this function by enhancing circulation and thereby aiding the detoxification process.  

Improved Performance 

A good option for athletes, dancers, and exercise enthusiasts, the Chi machine can be used as a warm-up tool to get the blood flowing and provide increased oxygen before you get down to business. It could also be used to cool down aching feet and leg muscles after a particularly rigorous workout.  

Stress Reduction 

There is nothing as calming as a massage, and the soothing goldfish motions of this machine can help to relax tensed muscles and reduce stress in the body.  

Suitable For the Physically Challenged 

The Chi machine is designed to run a low impact operation; hence, it can be helpful to the physically challenged and aged individuals who cannot be involved in vigorous physical activities due to their physical limitations.  

PEMF therapy is definitely not a new type of treatment.

It has been around for thousands of years, and it has stood the test of time.

However, it is still not as popular as some other commercial types of treatment like physio, chiro, or massage.

So what is PEMF therapy?

This acronym stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, and has been used by Chinese medical practitioners for around 4000 years.

They figured out that certain magnetic stones could be used in medicine because they had a positive effect on many illnesses.

Moreover, these stones also had a positive effect on the prevention of many diseases.

At that time, however, the only method they could use to determine the health effects was purely observational.

Nowadays, however, our medicine and science have developed enough so that we can understand the principle by which PEMF works.

In the late 1800s, the science reached a point where we could understand electrons and how they affect the way our body functions at a cellular level.

Not long after, we realized that if we stimulate the electrons in specific parts of our body, we can remove many health problems that we might have, and improve our overall physiology.

Today, when we ask the question, “What is PEMF therapy?” we can refer to more than 2000 studies to provide an answer.

And studies are already on the way to explain the workings of PEMF in even greater detail.

Governments around the world have approved and regulated the use of this therapy, once they have realized all of the health benefits that it has.

• The FDA regulated the application of PEMF therapy for treatment of urinary incontinence, bone fracture, depression, and anxiety, as well as for muscle stimulation.
• Israel and Canada recognize the use of PEMF technology for the treatment of many illnesses.
• The European Union approves of PEMF, especially for treating motion illnesses.
• Austria, Switzerland, and Germany widely use PEMF therapy to treat cancer, among many other diseases.

What Is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy?

When in grade school, our teachers used to teach us that energy is everywhere and in everything around us.

We learned that all energy is also dynamic, and that it moves all the time, so we know that it also has a frequency.

This is important to mention when we are answering the question of “What is PEMF Therapy?”

All of the atoms, chemicals, and cells in our body produce their own electromagnetic pulse.

Therefore, we can conclude that all the energy that we can observe in nature is of electromagnetic origin.

Moreover, it is important to know that every organ in our body also emits electromagnetic energy.

In our body, we have more than 70 trillion cells.

Every one of them is able to emit its own electromagnetic energy, but also to receive electromagnetic energy from outside.

EMF is synonymous with life, in a way, because as long as we live, our body and cells emit electromagnetic impulses.

Once we are no longer alive, this activity ceases.

Another important note is that the cells in our body are extremely sensitive.

They are responsive to very low frequencies and amounts of electromagnetic waves.

PEMF therapy is important because we cannot keep track of every single one of the 70 trillion cells in our body.

Often these cells show signs of dysfunction, and PEMF therapy is the ideal way to deal with these microcellular pathologies that we might not even know about.

A bad characteristic of our cells is that they can easily run very low on energy due to internal and external stresses.

By exposing them to electromagnetic waves, we can replenish their energy storage, and we won’t feel sluggish or susceptible to disease anymore.

So, what is PEMF therapy? It is essentially a charger for our cells.

PEMF Therapy Benefits

PEMF therapy has many proven health benefits for humans.

Numerous studies have been conducted to prove these known benefits and find possible new ones.

New studies are being done frequently since PEMF is such a popular topic and therapy.

PEMF therapy is beneficial in treating simple problems like fatigue, or range of motion, but also for some more pressing illnesses like arthritis, cancer, depression, and more.

It is not only beneficial in reversing illnesses, but also in preventing them.

By using PEMF therapy regularly, we can keep ourselves in good and strong condition so that we can better deal with the struggles and stresses of everyday life.

Let us go through some of the many health benefits of PEMF to answer in its entirety the question ‘What is PEMF therapy?’

Nerve Repair

In 1993 a study was completed with the aim of investigating what effects PEMF use had on sciatic nerve issues.

After completion of the study, the results were positive.

The conclusion was that a pretreatment with PEMF on rats’ sciatic nerve caused positive stimulation.

Even though the study was not conducted on humans, we can see that PEMF may stimulate and improve the function of nerve tissue in the body, as well. 

Lower Pelvic Pain

In 1999, a study was conducted and featured in the European Journal of Surgery that found there was at least a short-term positive effect on pelvic pain from PEMF treatment. 

Treatment of Arthritis

Certain Indian researchers have come to a definitive conclusion that PEMF therapy can have a very positive effect on patients that struggle with arthritis symptoms.

A study was completed in 1998 that found a correlation between PEMF and rheumatoid arthritis.

The patients who took part in the study experienced numerous beneficial results.  

Fast Cell Regeneration

The Annals of Plastic Surgery published a study in 1986 that dealt with possible health benefits that PEMF therapy could have on cell regeneration.

The main point was to determine what the relationship is between soft tissue healing and PEMF. 

Even though the results were not definitive, there was a correlation and an effect found.

The study especially focused on the effects of PEMF on faster wound healing.

Many scientists believe that more research is necessary before these correlations can be proved with 100% certainty, so many studies are already on the way.

Better Range of Motion

In 1996, a study was featured in Clinical Rheumatology that proved a link between a range of motion issues and PEMF.

And a correlation between cervical osteoarthritis-induced pain and PEMF has been found, as well.

Namely, 34 patients were involved in the study; all of them reported positive effects at the end.

The patients reported decreased neck pain, a lower number of muscle spasms, and improved range of motion as a consequence. 

Helps with Migraines

In 1999, a study was conducted to find a correlation between PEMF and migraine issues.

The study took place in the U.S. and involved 42 patients who reported chronic migraines.

The study lasted for 60 days, and after the conclusion of the therapy, all 42 patients reported that their condition had improved and that their migraines had disappeared or become less severe.

Therefore, the scientists concluded that a minimum of 20 days of consistent PEMF therapy can help patients who are struggling with migraines. 

Better Blood Flow

A study was completed and published in 2004 in the Journal of Orthopedic Research whose aim was to find a link between the function of arteriolar microvessels and PEMF.

It is important to mention that the study was not conducted on humans, but on rats.

The diameter of these arteriolar microvessels was measured both before and after PEMF stimulation.

The scientists came to the conclusion that PEMF had definitive positive results for vasodilatation.

Local use in areas where blood flow is impeded can lead to a widening of blood vessels and improve blood circulation. 

Depression Treatment

A study that was completed in early 2000 found that there is a strong link between PEMF therapy and depression.

In the study, PEMF therapy had beneficial consequences for the emotional state and motor activity of rats.

These rats were more active and more emotionally stable.

Specifically, the study proved that the effects of PEMF therapy with a frequency between 4-6 Hz decreased the adverse effects of anxiety, fear, and depression in these rats. 

Low Diabetes Factors

In 2013 a study was completed on 121 patients.

These patients all suffered from a state called diabetic polyneuropathy.

At the end of the research, a strong correlation was found between PEMF and improvement of this diabetic syndrome.

While the patients were in the study, there were clear signs that PEMF was helping with this state.

The main symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy were alleviated, the peripheral nerves showed improvement, and spinal motor neurons performed better.

These are all areas that are affected by the disease, as well.

Finally, the scientists concluded that PEMF therapy had beneficial effects in treating both diabetic polyneuropathy and diabetes mellitus. 

Better Bone Healing

In 1999 a study took place in Bangladesh that proved a correlation between bone healing and PEMF.

The complete mechanism of the process was not completely clear, unfortunately.

Therefore, more research is underway to explain the mechanism more fully.

However, the fact that PEMF has positive effects on bone healing is undeniable.  

So, finally, what is PEMF therapy?

It is a great way to recharge your cells in a natural way, prevent diseases, and give your overall mental and physical condition a quick boost.

Better Overall Health

PEMF therapy is especially beneficial in keeping our body in good working condition.

It helps to neutralize any negative effects of stress, and helps our organs to function properly.

Our inbuilt defense mechanisms can thus better deal with minor issues before they become more severe.

Since all of the cells in our body have their own life cycle, we need to make sure that the new ones have a healthy environment in which to be created and to develop.

If we use PEMF therapy daily, we can ensure that this cycle works as it needs to.

Less Stress

Our lives nowadays are packed with stress.

Our body can react to these sources of stress in two ways – healthy or unhealthy, that is, adaptive or maladaptive.

Stress has many debilitating health effects on our body.

It causes diabetes, heart issues, fatigue, arthritis, weak immune system, depression, anxiety, and so on.

Research shows that PEMF helps treat this issue on a very basic level.

It changes how our nervous system, cells, glands, organs, and tissues respond to stress.

If we use PEMF for a longer period, our body can remodel tissues that usually react negatively to stress so that in the future they will react less, or at least less negatively.

Slows Ageing

Electricity is very important in our body.

With aging, the electrical system in our body suffers more and more breaks, so cells have trouble communicating and performing their purpose.

PEMF repairs these breaks, and helps to maintain the system.

PEMF also stimulates the production of ATP (cell energy), and antioxidant defenses throughout the body.

Moreover, PEMF promotes higher levels of blood oxygen and increased blood flow.

If we use it for a longer period, it can also help with sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as blood pressure.

Better Sleep

If you want to improve your sleep and sleep patterns, PEMF can be a great solution.

PEMF stimulates the hypothalamus, which in turn controls the sleep and the circadian rhythms.

Therefore, if you use PEMF therapy before sleep and you set it at just the right frequency, it will cause you to feel drowsier, calm your brain, and prepare you for the REM phase of your sleep cycle.

On top of that, PEMF also increases your Slow Wave Sleep (SWS).

This is the most important part of your NREM (non-REM) sleep cycle, and it happens early at night.

Alleviates Sleep Problems

Since PEMF therapy is known to improve circulation, relax muscles, and lower stress, it will consequently improve sleep as having good-quality sleep depends on all of these factors.

Many studies on sleep have proven that sleep disruption causes increased levels of both cortisol and adrenaline at night.

Sleep disruption also causes a faster metabolic rate both during the day and at night, which additionally impairs sleep.

PEMF therapies can help a lot because they can hinder the activation of both adrenal glands and our sympathetic nervous system.

Electrosmog Protection

If we use PEMF therapy on a daily basis, it can also help to protect our system from electrosmog.

Electrosmog is everywhere around us, and is composed of all the frequencies that are harmful that come from our smartphones, power lines, microwaves, WIFI signals, hair dryers, and so on. They are almost omnipresent, so it is impossible to escape from them.

On top of that, they have a strong negative effect on our body, as they deplete it of its natural energy and cause more stress.

Since we cannot escape it, we have at least to neutralize it by adding energy that is actually beneficial.

PEMF stimulates our cells and keeps them working at healthy frequencies, and in that way protects them from the consequences of electrosmog.

Better Sport Performance

When we expose our muscles to PEMF, it has been proven that they can work longer and harder and recover faster.

This means that we can train better and need less rest in between.

It also means less pain the day after working out.

If you use it, your body will be better able to deal with the physical strain, and avoid injuries.

PEMF therapy is most beneficial if we use it before and after physical activity.

It stimulates a process called myosin phosphorylation, or the act of creation of energy by our muscles.

PEMF can help our muscle cells increase their levels of energy five-fold.

They achieve this through faster movement of electrolytes and ions.

Intense physical activity also increases the levels of heat shock proteins that are intended to prevent cellular breakdown and improve recovery.

PEMF adds up and helps to stimulate the production of these proteins even more.

PEMF also ups the amount of oxygen a muscle can take. Studies show a minimum of 1% improvement of oxygen levels after PEMF therapy.

This is more than enough to improve athletic performance.

Furthermore, PEMF also improves blood flow, which is important for recovery and oxygen transportation.

And PEMF eliminates the swelling that happens after strenuous exercise, and leads the blood away from any bruises, which speeds up recovery even more.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are numerous health benefits of PEMF therapy.

No matter if you have one of the health conditions listed above, or you believe that you are perfectly healthy, you should consider PEMF treatment.

It can benefit people on both ends of the exercise spectrum, whether you are a couch potato or an exercise junkie.

Even better, the negative effects are few or nonexistent if PEMF therapy is used as prescribed.