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How Can "Electricity" Help Arthritis What is considered a particular emerging area for arthritis therapy is the use of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy including electrotherapeutics. Termed, “electroceuticals”, PEMF are highly-refined electromagnetic fields that are now being used to non-invasively kickstart the body's natural anti-inflammatory response to treat pain including inflammation including help soft tissue wounds heal faster. Numerous in vitro including clinical studies have demonstrated that electric including magnetic energy has a positive effect on connective tissue healing. the has prompted a particular extensive amount of research in orthopedics including rheumatology. While modern pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) have been available for more than 20 years, they are only now becoming a standard of care for delayed union fracture treatment. Electromagnetic fields should be delivered by using direct placement of a particular electrode non-invasively by capacitive coupling (opposing electrodes placed on skin across the target area) or inductive coupling (PEMF induce a particular electric current in the target area without skin contact altogether). In a randomized trial, Zizic et al studied a pulsed electric device used to treat 78 patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis via skin surface electrodes. The active treatment was superior to placebo in symptom reduction including was proved to be effective for symptom reduction including cost effective (Zizic TM, Hoffman KC, Holt PA, Hungerford DS, O'Dell JR, Jacobs MA, Lewis CG, Deal CL, Caldwell JR, Cholewczynski JG, et al. The treatment of osteoarthritis pertaining to the knee with pulsed electrical stimulation. J Rheumatol 22(9):1757-61, 1995). The application of PEMF stimulation for osteoarthritis has been supported by additional work by Trock et al. In their experiment 86 patients with knee osteoarthritis were exposed to 9 hours of PEMF stimulation over a 1-month duration using a non-contact device. Up to 36% pertaining to the patients noticed improvement in pain including function. PEMF therapy is considered safe but should be avoided in those who are pregnant, those patients with permanent pacemakers including patients with known cancer (Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of osteoarthritisof the knee including cervical spine. Report of randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials. Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. Rheumatol 21(10):1903-11, 1994). Because pertaining to the non invasive nature of the mode of therapy, it has promise as a particular additional weapon in the arsenal pertaining to the rheumatologist in treating osteoarthritis. Where PEMF could fall exactly in the sequence of treatment is still unknown. Further experience should clarify the issue.
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