HORSES
The benefits of PEMF in horses
If you own, ride, train horses or work in a barn there is a possibility you have come across equine massage therapy at some point. It could be you have seen a horse wearing a massage blanket, have enlisted the help of a trained therapist, or have even rented a system to see for yourself. It is certainly a therapy that has risen in demand in the equine industry, with good reason – the benefits of massage have been well documented from its circulatory benefits to relaxation and therapeutic effects.
However Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) goes one step better than massage and when both are combined the results are vast. So, what exactly is PEMF therapy? And (most importantly!) how can it benefit our equine companions?
PEMF is a non-invasive treatment, which applies a magnetic field to the cells within the body by pulsating an electrical impulse at a pre-set (but variable) frequency and intensity. The impulse interacts with the ions present within specific cells, accelerating activity and expediting the flow of oxygen and nutrients. When applied to injuries, PEMF Therapy can assist in both kick starting and boosting the healing process at a cellular level, whilst simultaneously accelerating the disposal of toxins and waste products.
PEMF WORKS TO
- Reduce pain, inflammation and the stress on the body
- Improve energy, circulation, blood and tissue oxygenation, stress, blood pressure, nutrient uptake, cellular detoxification and regeneration
- Balance the immune system
- Accelerate repair of bone and soft tissue damage
- Relax muscles.
The benefits of PEMF therapy are so well documented that the space administration NASA spent 4 years studying PEMF and developing its own PEMF therapy machines. During this time in 2009 NASA was awarded a patent for the use of PEMF to enhance tissue repair in mammals and to reverse the bone loss faced by astronauts when they are in a gravity free environment and away from earths magnetic field. They reported that PEMF was successful in the repair of damaged tissue, noting the following in their report:
“One may use this electrical potentiation for a number of purposes, including developing tissues for transplantation, repairing traumatized tissues, and moderating some neurodegenerative diseases and perhaps controlling the degeneration of tissue as might be effected in a bioelectric stasis field.”
For equestrians, PEMF therapy offers an ability to proactively ‘kick start’ the healing process, minimizing downtime due to injury or illness. When used as part of a cool down routine, PEMF can also assist in facilitating post-work recovery and reduce the soreness associated with muscle strain and lactic acid build up. The option on the Activo-Med system to vary the frequency at which it operates allows the PEMF to be modified to specifically target the area at which it’s needed most.
In short, PEMF can help your horse train at its best, compete to its fullest, and bounce back from injury or work as quickly as possible.