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How PEMF Therapy Helps With Long COVID

 

 

It has been almost four years since the pandemic caused unprecedented challenges to us. Although wearing a mask is not mandatory now and different phases of lockdowns have come and gone, the impact of COVID-19 remains.

For many people who contracted the infection, the fight is still not over—this condition is now known as long COVID (or “post-COVID conditions”).

According to the CDC, one in five adults who recovered from COVID-19 still suffer from its symptoms. Currently, over 20 million Americans are affected by the frustrating, long-term health implications of this condition. The symptoms are tricky to treat and lack a definitive cause other than a prior infection.

The good news is that these symptoms have shown improvement with holistic treatments like pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and multidisciplinary care.

 

What is Long COVID?

 

Long COVID, aka post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), refers to a collection of symptoms and conditions that some individuals experience weeks or even months after recovering from initial (acute) COVID symptoms.

This medical condition can be persistent (developed at the time of the initial infection and is still there), recurrent (may come and go after some time), or new (developed later after the initial infection had been treated).

Irrespective of whether you had a mild, severe, or asymptomatic infection, anyone with a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection can develop PASC, including children.

PASC can develop if:

  • you had a severe infection and if hospitalization was required;
  • you had multisystem inflammatory syndrome during or after the infection; and
  • you had pre-existing health conditions like lung disease, obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

 

Women, older adults, and those with repeat COVID-19 infections may have a higher risk of long COVID. In the United States, adults who are 35-49 years of age are most likely to have experienced or currently have long COVID, according to the CDC.

 

Long COVID Symptoms

 

More than 200 symptoms are linked with long COVID, and most of them are the same as COVID-19. Symptoms vary from person to person. For some people, symptoms come and go. For others, they may worsen over time. However, the two most common symptoms are fatigue (feeling tired) and shortness of breath. Other possible symptoms include:

  • Loss or altered smell and/or taste
  • Brain fog (problems concentrating or thinking)
  • Chronic cough
  • Chest pain
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Muscle aches
  • Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
  • Depression
  • Heart palpitations
  • Diarrhea

 

It is difficult to understand why these long-lasting symptoms occur after the initial infection because it’s not just one factor but multiple factors that affect each long-hauler in a different way.

However, prolonged inflammation after SARS-CoV-2 infections is a major driver of long COVID. The severe inflammation caused by your immune system in response to the virus leads to permanent damage to the lungs and kidneys, affects the brain, and is linked to behavioral changes. Therefore, treatments that help reduce inflammation, such as PEMF therapy, may help ease the symptoms of long COVID.

 

Does PEMF Therapy Help Relieve Long COVID?

 

The short answer is yes, although PEMF is a wellness procedure and not a medical procedure that treats or cures diseases.

It may seem complicated, but the theory behind PEMF therapy for long COVID is simple and highly effective. A PEMF device emits electromagnetic waves at different frequencies. The waves penetrate deep into your body, stimulate every cell to function properly, and upregulate your body’s natural recovery processes.

Simply put, your body is made up of trillions of cells, and every cell has an electrical charge across its outer membrane. This helps cells carry out their essential functions, such as communicating with each other, moving nutrients in and out, or producing energy. However, when cells are damaged or stressed due to injury or illnesses like COVID-19 infection, they lose their natural electrical charge, which slows down their function.

Magnetic fields, the ones used in the PEMF therapy, interact with charged particles in your body, especially ions (which are electrically charged particles). These ions are responsible for many of the electrical activities inside cells. When you apply PEMF therapy, gentle magnetic waves create tiny electrical currents in your body that restore the natural electrical balance of cells. This makes it easier for your cells to absorb nutrients, release waste, and repair themselves.

 

Potential Benefits of PEMF for Long COVID

 

1. PEMF Reduces Cytokine Response and Cytokine Storm

 

PEMF therapy benefits people with long COVID by reducing inflammation and enhancing the healing process. As stated above, long-term inflammation in the system is a major issue in people with long COVID, leading to a condition known as a "cytokine storm."

Cytokines are proteins produced by your immune system to help fight infections, but when there is an excess release, they can cause inflammation and can damage the organs, such as the lungs, heart, and brain. This prolonged inflammation contributes to the persistent symptoms of long COVID, such as fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain.

So, certainly, reducing the inflammatory response and increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokines are beneficial in rebalancing the immune system, which can be done with the help of PEMF therapy.

 

2. PEMF and the Endothelial Lining

 

The inflammation caused by the infection also affects the endothelial lining, which is the thin layer of cells that line your blood vessels. It plays a critical role in processes like gas exchange and overall circulatory health. If the endothelial lining gets damaged or inflamed, which blocks normal gas exchange, capillary vessels cannot deliver the oxygen to the tissues. This can worsen symptoms of long COVID, such as fatigue and difficulty breathing.

Tiny blood clots can also develop. While they may not cause serious issues like stroke, they can prevent your brain, lungs, and other organs from functioning properly.

PEMF therapy is believed to support healthy circulation, help the body manage inflammation, and encourage the natural repair of endothelial cells. Research and emerging studies suggest it may also support angiogenesis, the body’s process of forming new blood vessels. Over time and with consistent sessions, PEMF therapy may help the body optimize capillary function, which can improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to affected tissues as part of the body’s normal healing response. As a wellness-focused therapy, PEMF is often used to support long-term vascular and inflammatory balance, even beyond the period of active use.

 

3. PEMF May Promote Tissue Healing and Regeneration

 

In long COVID, one of the challenges is hypoxia, which occurs when your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen due to inflammation in your blood vessels. As mentioned above, PEMF therapy may improve blood oxygen delivery to affected areas and stimulates your body’s natural repair processes. Also, the electromagnetic pulses boost ATP production, the primary energy source for cells. This helps enhance cellular repair and energy availability for healing.

The electromagnetic pulses may also activate collagen production, which is essential for tissue repair, and stimulate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for rebuilding damaged tissue. It also encourages the mobilization of stem cells, which are key players in tissue regeneration. These stem cells can help repair damaged blood vessels and nerves, such as those affected by neuropathy, a common long COVID symptom.

 

4. PEMF and the Psychological Effects of Long COVID

 

The medical condition has severe multiple symptoms that can steal your energy and your ability to think clearly. This often causes psychological issues like anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health conditions.

There is evidence that PEMF therapy can stimulate brain activity by causing changes in underlying brain wave patterns. The therapy can reach deeper into the layers of your brain and address the root causes of neurological issues. This deeper penetration may aid in healing underlying brain dysfunction, such as brain fog, memory problems, and mood disturbances, often experienced by people with long COVID.

PEMF also encourages the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are important for mood regulation and mental well-being.

 

PEMF for Long COVID: Current and Ongoing Studies

 

A case report from a clinical setting details the use of PEMF therapy in a 55-year-old woman who had been suffering from persistent fatigue, weakness, and cognitive impairment for more than 6 months after contracting COVID-19. The patient did not find relief from conventional treatments or physical training, and because of chronic fatigue, she could not achieve full recovery.

She received 10 PEMF sessions over 5 weeks with a high magnetic flux density. The patient showed significant improvement in her symptoms, such as fatigue, work ability, quality of life, and psychological well-being during treatment, and the results were stable after 6 weeks.

The study shows that the use of PEMF therapy is a promising treatment for managing post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome, especially when conventional methods fall short.

Currently, there have been studies, a few in the United States and some worldwide, examining PEMF therapy for long COVID symptoms.

 

The Bottom Line

 

Some individuals report that certain symptoms associated with long COVID can be more persistent and challenging to address than those seen with other post-viral conditions. PEMF therapy is sometimes used as a supportive wellness approach that may help the body regulate inflammation and support immune system balance as part of a broader health strategy. While it is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease, PEMF therapy is often described as helping individuals move from a state of immune stress toward improved physiological resilience and overall well-being when used consistently alongside appropriate medical care.

 

References

  • Ross CL, Zhou Y, McCall CE, Soker S, Criswell TL. The use of pulsed electromagnetic field to modulate inflammation and improve tissue regeneration: a review. Bioelectricity. 2019;1(4):247-259. doi:10.1089/bioe.2019.0026
  • Peng L, Fu C, Liang Z, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields increase angiogenesis and improve cardiac function after myocardial ischemia in mice. Circ J. 2020;84(2):186-193. doi:10.1253/circj.CJ-19-0758
  • Farndale RW, Murray JC. Pulsed electromagnetic fields promote collagen production in bone marrow fibroblasts via athermal mechanisms. Calcif Tissue Int. 1985;37(2):178-182. doi:10.1007/BF02554838