I first became curious about PEMF therapy when my aesthetician told me about all its wonderful benefits during a facial. IMO, it’s an underutilized therapy that can be used on both the face and body. I’d heard about it briefly in passing prior to chatting with my aesthetician but never bothered to do more of a dive into it—huge mistake! Once I tried this form of therapy for myself, there was no going back.
As a reiki master, I’m always excited about energy-based modalities and will research and try any that provide serious benefits. I decided to try PEMF out for a month and share my experience in case anyone else is curious about it or what it can do. The TL;DR: It’s great for so many things, including improving sleep quality, pain relief, meditation, and even your skin! For the full rundown on this practice, keep reading. I’m sharing everything you need to know about it ahead.
What is PEMF therapy?
PEMF stands for pulsed electromagnetic field. PEMF therapy uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves to stimulate and heal cells in the body. Research suggests that PEMF influences cellular behavior by activating electrical changes both in and around cells. Other promising research suggests that it’s helpful in improving bone formation and treating osteoarthritis. PEMF therapy can also improve blood supply and causes an increase in oxygen pressure, which activates cells and helps them regenerate. This can lead to a huge decrease in chronic pain.
Additionally, master organic aesthetician Katie Sobelman (who I first chatted with about it) had plenty to share about what makes this particular modality so great. “PEMF therapy is one of my favorite frequency-based modalities because it’s like giving your cells a mini recharge,” she says. “It emits electromagnetic waves at different pulses, which can be adjusted in intensity and duration. These pulses are designed to mimic the natural electromagnetic fields within the body and those projected by the earth. PEMF zaps your cells into action, enhancing everything from skin repair to reducing pain and improving circulation—basically, it’s a powerhouse for keeping your skin and body vibrant.”
What benefits does PEMF therapy provide?
I mentioned a few key ways PEMF therapy can be useful above, but Sobelman also shared a few key more things about this therapy and why it’s great to incorporate into your wellness routine. Like I briefly mentioned (and according to Sobelman), PEMF has been FDA-approved for healing bones since 1979. “In addition to use in cervical fusion surgery, post-operative edema, depression, and cancer,” Sobelman adds. Make no mistake, that doesn’t mean you need to be sick or injured to reap this modality’s benefits.
Enhanced cellular energy: “PEMF therapy activates cells by stimulating them with electromagnetic fields. This process enhances cellular energy production, promoting the skin’s natural repair and rejuvenation mechanisms. I love using this modality on clients as it enhances the treatments I perform on the face. It boosts cellular metabolism and energy production, essential for skin repair and health,” says Sobelman.
Pain reduction: PEMF helps reduce inflammation and pain, which are common with aging skin.
Improved circulation: This therapy enhances blood flow, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to skin cells.
Cellular repair and regeneration: It stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, leading to improved skin quality and appearance.
As a note, PEMF therapy is generally considered safe for everyone, but if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a medical condition, you should always speak with your doctor before trying a new modality.
I gave PEMF therapy a try for a month in the form of a mat from HigherDose. You can read a bit more about my experience below.
My Favorite PEMF Mat
HigherDOSE
Higherdose Infrared Pemf Mat
You can snag this mat for 20% off right now during HigherDose’s Labor Day Weekend sale using the code LDW20.
I’ll start this off by saying that I’m a huge fan of HigherDose in general. I also have the brand’s sauna blanket and am completely obsessed with it. Honestly, I’ve never come across a HigherDose product I didn’t immediately love, so that should tell you about the quality of its offerings. I was curious to see if the PEMF mat would be just as good, and boy was it.
HigherDose’s PEMF mat offers four frequency levels. Each is associated with different brainwaves that correlate with different benefits. Delta at three Hz can support sleep, beta for focus, alpha for meditation, and theta for grounding. My favorite setting to use is alpha, and I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve almost fallen asleep on the mat because it’s so relaxing. The added infrared heat is such a nice touch and helps with muscle recovery if you work out a lot.
I use this almost every day now after a workout or before bed. I’ve definitely noticed a huge improvement in the quality of my sleep and the chronic knots I tend to have in my upper back and shoulders. I know this is a super-expensive modality and may not be realistic for everyone’s budget, but if you can spare the money, I can’t say enough good things about this mat. Now is also a great time to snag one since it’s 20% off for Labor Day Weekend. It’s so high quality, easy to use, and perfect for anyone who leads an active lifestyle or just needs some stress reduction. I feel so incredibly relaxed after a session on this mat, and I’m so glad I now have it as a tool in my wellness box.
A few more mat ideas are also included below!
More Mats to Try
Florensi
Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
If a PEMF mat is way out of your budget, consider trying an acupressure mat. Who What Wear managing editor Tiff Soga swears by this option for enhanced sleep, relaxation, stress management, pain relief, and easing headache tension.
HealthyLine
Infrared Heating Pad Natural Jade and Tourmaline Stones
This infrared heating mat also contains jade and tourmaline stones to promote soothing and relaxation. While it doesn’t contain any PEMFs, it’s another great option that’s a little less pricey.
Like HigherDose’s mat, this one includes both PEMF and infrared heat for extra relaxation. It contains a wide range of frequencies and presets that are great for everything from pain relief to stress reduction and sleep improvement.
ProsourceFit
Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
This acupressure mat is great for relieving back tension and improves post-workout recovery.
Grooni Earthing
PEMF Infrared Therapy Mat Pro
Grooni’s PEMF mat also includes preset programs that cater to different needs. It’s also calibrated to support cellular health and boosts your energy levels.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice from your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult your doctor or healthcare provider with any health-related questions.