How Can "Electricity" Help Arthritis

What is considered an emerging area for arthritisfor symptom reduction and cost effective (Zizic TM,
therapy is the use of pulsed electromagnetic fieldHoffman KC, Holt PA, Hungerford DS, O'Dell JR,
(PEMF) therapy and electrotherapeutics. Termed,Jacobs MA, Lewis CG, Deal CL, Caldwell JR,
"electroceuticals", PEMF are highly-refinedCholewczynski JG, et al. The treatment of
electromagnetic fields that are now being used toosteoarthritis of the knee with pulsed electrical
non-invasively "kickstart" the body's naturalstimulation. J Rheumatol 22(9):1757-61, 1995).
anti-inflammatory response to treat pain andThe application of PEMF stimulation for osteoarthritis
inflammation and help soft tissue wounds heal faster.has been supported by additional work by Trock et
Numerous in vitro and clinical studies haveal. In their experiment 86 patients with knee
demonstrated that electric and magnetic energy hasosteoarthritis were exposed to 9 hours of PEMF
a positive effect on connective tissue healing. Thisstimulation over a 1-month period using a non-contact
has prompted an extensive amount of research indevice. Up to 36% of the patients noticed
orthopedics and rheumatology. While modern pulsedimprovement in pain and function. PEMF therapy is
electromagnetic fields (PEMF) have been available forconsidered safe but should be avoided in those who
more than 20 years, they are only now becoming aare pregnant, those patients with permanent
standard of care for delayed union fracturepacemakers and patients with known cancer (Trock
treatment.DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. The effect of pulsed
Electromagnetic fields can be delivered by using directelectromagnetic fields in the treatment of
placement of an electrode non-invasively byosteoarthritisof the knee and cervical spine. Report
capacitive coupling (opposing electrodes placed onof randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials.
skin across the target area) or inductive couplingTrock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. Rheumatol
(PEMF induce an electric current in the target area21(10):1903-11, 1994).
without skin contact altogether).Because of the non invasive nature of this mode of
In a randomized trial, Zizic et al studied a pulsedtherapy, it has promise as an additional weapon in the
electric device used to treat 78 patients with chronicarsenal of the rheumatologist in treating osteoarthritis.
knee osteoarthritis via skin surface electrodes. TheWhere PEMF will fall exactly in the sequence of
active treatment was superior to placebo intreatment is still unknown. Further experience should
symptom reduction and was proved to be effectiveclarify this issue.