Some days, not even an afternoon cup of coffee is enough to give us the jolt of energy we need to get through our endless to-do lists, obligations, and go, go, go mentality. If you’re feeling it, you’re not alone. With so many of us experiencing blurred boundaries between home and work, getting back to hectic social schedules, and coping with the uncertainties of the world we live in, feelings of burnout and exhaustion are ever-present. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some magical technology that essentially recharged our batteries, helping us sleep better, improve focus, and feel more grounded and connected to our bodies? Good news: There actually is — It’s called PEMF Therapy, and we can’t get enough of it.
What Is PEMF Therapy?
The “PEMF” stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field. “It’s a vibration and a frequency that is very similar to the Earth’s core frequency,” says Lauren Berlingeri, the co-founder of Higher DOSE, a wellness company that creates tools centered around nature-focused technologies, including PEMF. Berlingeri says there are different levels of PEMF Therapy. There are higher — more intense — frequencies that go beyond the Earth’s frequency and are typically used as in-office treatments and can target deeper injuries to build bone and help rebuild ligaments. And, then there are more gentle frequencies that stay within the Earth’s range and are used in at-home products such as Higher DOSE’s Infrared PEMF Mat and Infrared PEMF Go Mat.
While it can range depending on the product, at-home PEMF technology typically goes up to a range of about 23 hertz and some include a frequency level called the Schumann Resonance (SR) of 7.8 hertz, which “is the actual core frequency of the Earth,” explains Berlingeri. These gentler frequencies are “very calming, grounding, and healing,” notes Berlingeri, adding that it can provide the body with similar sensations of “grounding and walking outdoors.” Because of that, at-home PEMF Therapy can be a great way to recharge our batteries and take us from fight or flight (aka, stress mode) to a parasympathetic state, which is all about rest and digest. “It puts the body into a state where it feels safe enough to heal,” Berlingeri adds.
The Benefits of PEMF Therapy
In addition to putting the body in a parasympathetic state where we can experience ultimate rejuvenation and recharge, PEMF Therapy “does a great job of increasing blood flow and circulation,” says Berlingeri. “Stagnation is the root cause of inflammation and inflammation turns into disease, so increasing blood flow and circulation is so healthy for you and overall vital,” Berlingeri explains.
Additionally, PEMF therapy is believed to help target pain relief. “Benefits of PEMF demonstrated in studies include pain relief, especially in individuals with bone disease and neuropathic pain,” says Dr. Liana Casusi, MD. According to Dr. Casusi, its ability to reduce inflammation can also be beneficial to those with “diseases such as diabetic neuropathy and osteoarthritis” and PEMF therapy can also help those who experience “psychiatric conditions like PTSD and anxiety,” says Dr. Casusi.
The benefits of PEMF Therapy all depend on the frequency levels used. Because at-home PEMF Therapy typically incorporates more gentle vibrations that promote ultra-relaxation and get you further away from feelings of fight or flight, it can also benefit the body’s immune system, which tends to take a hit when we’re feeling stressed. Pain reduction, decreased swelling, and better sleep are also positive side effects of PEMF Therapy. Some levels of at-home PEMF can also promote more clarity and focus. And, sitting or lying down on a PEMF mat feels like your nervous system is receiving a big hug. “It gives your body exactly what it needs in the most gentle and effective way.”
While Dr. Casusi says in-clinic treatments are preferred “for proper monitoring,” she also notes that both in-clinic and at-home PEMF are “very similar in usage.” With that said, it is “essential to consult with a specialist before using PEMF or any device,” says Dr. Casusi.
How to Reap the Benefits at Home
One of the best ways to experience at-home PEMF Therapy and reap the benefits at home is by investing in a PEMF mat. These mats are like futuristic yoga mats that plug into the wall and emit the healing energy of the Earth. You can lay down on them, sit on them, and even do some yoga poses on them. You can use them while watching TV, taking a nap, meditating, or working at your desk, too.
Since PEMF mats use gentle frequencies, they have a barely-there vibration that Berlingeri says is almost hard to feel. “If you put your feet on the mat, you will feel a slight pulsating,” she explains. But, despite not experiencing strong frequencies, your body will start to feel its rejuvenating effects. Berlingeri says the PEMF mat “is like meditation without the effort,” since it can help you relax and go inward, no matter how busy and stressful of a life you lead.
As for how often you should use a PEMF mat, Berlingeri says she leaves her mat running all day long at home. “There’s always a point in the day where you can use a little bit of rest and reset,” she explains. By having one handy and around your house, you can get a quick recharge whenever you need it.
I Tried At-Home PEMF Therapy and Here’s What It’s Like
PEMF therapy had me at meditation and anxiety relief. I first made the investment in an at-home PEMF mat when I was riddled with anxiety and stress and having a hard time winding down for meditation (which helps said anxiety and stress) because of it all.
I have a mat that fits comfortably in my desk chair, so I can work while sitting on it, and then lay it down flat on the floor when it’s time for meditation. My PEMF mat incorporates additional technologies, such as infrared heat for a warming effect, which is especially nice during the colder winter months.
When turning on the PEMF, I instantly feel more grounded — even when it’s set to level one, and I can’t really feel anything happening. It’s hard to explain but it really does feel like the edge has been taken off and your body can start to relax, unwind, and reconnect to itself. When I use my mat regularly, I notice that my mind and body feel more balanced, making it easier to focus and helping me feel less reactive to daily stresses that might pop up. I also notice that, because my body is more relaxed, it can be a lot easier to fall asleep at night. I am one of the lucky few who do not have a hard time staying in a deep, restorative sleep. But getting to that restorative sleep is hard because my mind is often racing before bed and there is only so much journaling one can do to calm those thoughts. I find that incorporating PEMF technology into my daily routine — and especially my nighttime routine — works wonders for quieting my mind and, in a way, it gives me permission to relax and surrender to sleep.
We only recommend products we have independently researched, tested, and loved. If you purchase a product found through our links, Sunday Edit may earn an affiliate commission.
