Anyone here try it on their horse? I did and saw a difference immediately and he’s getting another treatment tonight. He has some soreness in one hip and I noticed afterwards that he was more flexible and feeling more comfortable than before. Anyone else see a change in their horse after treating? I was so impressed I’m thinking of chucking my desk job and going into business.
I was PEMF’s #1 skeptic. When you read the promotional literature on it, the scientific explanation regarding the biological benefits is extremely weak.
Then I tried it. A friend is a practitioner and after months of hearing her stories, I had to see it in action.
The results were incredible. My horses were like new animals. Long term arthritis in my older mare vanished for weeks after treatment.
Like any body work, the results seem to get less dramatic over time. Yet the other applications are equally mind-boggling. I’ve read accounts of pulsing abscesses, fractures, lacerations, chokes, colics, even ulcers… all with positive results (COTH disclaimer: always consult with your vet in such situations).
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With a lot of these traveling machine therapies I think there’s three questions.
Does the therapy have proven results in a clinical setting?
And, does the machine your body care worker travels with deliver the same power, benefits, etc? Or is it the lite version?
And finally, if this therapy really works then why isn’t it in constant use for human aches and pains? Why doesn’t every RMT for humans stick you under one at the end of a session?
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I tried a ‘package’ deal of 6 sessions for $600. The only thing that changed was my bank balance. Of course not everything works 100%, but, of all the modalities I have used on Goober, this was the only one that showed 0 improvement no matter how often it was used.
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I have had good results with PEMF on a young horse recovering from tendon sheath infection surgery. My guy was given a 50/50 chance of achieving paddock soundness and a “wait and see” as to whether he will have a ridden future. He was 11 months old at the time. His surgery was, from memory, 6 days after the small puncture wound that caused the infection which is not ideal. He came through the surgery well and was weight bearing straight away but sore, particularly when he came off bute. We started PEMF twice weekly at about 2 weeks post op from memory, and did it twice weekly for a few weeks then went to weekly. I noticed a distinct improvement in his comfort levels and swelling after each session. He had his first trot after the first session (and made me cry with relief). He also really enjoyed it. That was nearly a year ago and he is now a very sound looking rising 2 year old, and I have high hopes that he will have a future as a riding horse. It is impossible to know how much the PEMF did or didn’t contribute to his healing, but it did seem to improve his comfort levels along the way and I am glad I did it.
I have had sessions on ridden horses as well, one feels heaps better after it and one had no discernable difference.
I think there’s PEMF, and there’s PEMF… ie, some practitioners have better machines than others, and some are better trained at using it. The lady I used had the most expensive machine available (apparently) and had been trained on it, plus is a knowledgeable horseperson, which I think helps.
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PEMF has been approved for use on humans by the FDA since 1979 for the healing of nonunion fractures. In 2011 it was approved for use in treating brain cancer. It has a long history of clinical success and approval by regulatory agencies.
I use it - as with anything I think it has limits of success. But used regularly on an otherwise healthy horse I have seen performance improvements. Thankfully I have never had to use it for an acute injury.
I have the Activo Med Combi Pro II blanket. Also has cyclonic massage. The horses all seem to love it. I got it used and it was cheaper than 10 sessions, though obviously I can’t use it on legs. I’ve been debating buying the boots that work with it.
I do notice a lot of practitioners stating that you need to have this or that machine or the Pulse Equine is the best because it’s the most expensive etc yadda yadda - I’m not sure I believe that and that you need to have a $21k machine for it to work. It’s really down to how smart the practitioner is and how good they are at thinking through a treatment plan versus just following the book.
Great timimg 16hands ! I have been wondering about PEMF as well. Information I see is a mixed bag of results, much like the above comments… I would love to just try it on my horse, but no one around my area provides it yet.
I tried it once. Seemed relaxing for my horse, much like a massage would be. You can see the muscles twitching in response to the electronic pulse.
That said, outside of making him maybe a tad more loose the next few days, I didn’t notice a big difference. Definitely had no effect on his ringbone in both fronts. I would consider doing it again just for the relaxation effects, but at $125 a pop, I feel like I’m better off putting those dollars towards treatments with more clinical backing.
I am one of those who drinks the PEMF Kool-Aid. I will see the type of machine makes a huge difference the small boxes do absolutely nothing. I had a lady coming every 4-5 weeks for my guy it really helped his shoulders he had the typical QH shoulder and would get stiff through his neck as he got older and it kept him relaxed. If you do any of the big rated shows usually there is some one there who will do a human for free if you sign up your horse. I loved it on my own shoulder for scar tissue. I think it is one of those things though works for some does nothing for others. I would try it if they have a good deal running mine ended up being $75 per session if I bought a package of 5. My girl was incredible she really listened to my horses body when she was treating him didn’t just rub it all over his body and leave.
Second treatment done and horse loved it! He felt so much better afterwards he was a little bit of a naughty boy when I rode. Also, I had tried the treatment on myself where I had been having chronic pain on my right side. About ten minutes of pulsing therapy and I was pain free! I was able to actually squat down and put his boots on and when straightening up I didn’t have searing pain in my side. I’m a total convert and have drank the Kool-Aid.
I had my horse treated twice and my friend had her horse and herself treated. I was highly skeptical but the FDA approvals for human use and very obvious response of my horse, my friend’s horse, and my friend were convincing. Not only did my horse love the treatments, it gave very clear information about sore areas and really helped figure out what was going on with her. My friend has her horse treated at a show, between tests, and her horse was clearly more “even” left and right in the second test. My friend had a fall 2 days before the treatment and she looked so happy and relaxed after the treatment, it was almost funny!
Anyway, I was so impressed I decided to buy my own machine. I was prompted by my horse having surgery and there is no local practitioner near me to come visit/treat her regularly during her recovery. It arrived tonight and I treated my horse. My vet’s comment (he stopped by while I was treating) was that it definitely couldn’t hurt and might do some good. Horse was happy and relaxed throughout and seemed more comfortable around the incision sites that had been more sensitive earlier in the day.
I don’t need a second job, but I will offer treatments locally so the machine pays for itself once I get a bit more comfortable/proficient using it.
I used it for a horse with old swelling/scar tissue. Not only did I feel it improved range of motion, there was a visible, lasting reduction in the old injury (close to 50%)
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My MIL is a practitioner. I was skeptical, but her first test rat when she started. We did three horses. Two geriatric geldings (21 and 23), and my young jumper mare. Her visit was the day before farrier day.
I did not see much difference in my young mare. She’s a fireball. I felt that she was maybe slightly more relaxed, but I couldn’t tell a remarkable enough difference to say it was the therapy.
The older geldings - night and day difference. Both normally have a tough time after the farrier. Bending this old joints takes a toll. The younger of the two is normally crippled for a few days following. Both stood better than they normally do, seemed to have a little more range of motion, and both walked away seemingly without pain. The younger gelding, who is normally crippled by having his feet trimmed, went frolicking out in the field following his trim.
I’m sold on it.
I don’t think the results are the same with every horse. And I think sometimes the results will not be as immediate.
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My mare is quite stiff/body sore after her surgery. I’ve been treating with PEMF and definitely seen an improvement after each treatment. Obviously, doing a controlled study with one horse is not really possible, but I’m pretty confident it is helping her recovery.
Tried it on myself too. I have chronic tail bone issues that, when flaring, can cause extreme pain while sitting. I was having problems right before several very long flights. Treated myself with PEMF and had literally no pain despite 24+ hours of flying. Pain started returning ~60 hours after that treatment (although not as bad as before), so I think the PEMF was beneficial.
My daughter and I bought the Pulse Equine machine last January and attended the three day, hands on 'jump start" training that the company offers. We were introduced to the treatments at the AQHA world show in November, both for ourselves and our horses and became believers fast. Our intention was to just use it for our own horses, but as she posted a few good results on facebook, friends began calling and asking about it. Very shortly she was pulsing 15-20 outside horses per week. We were off to the races, literally, when she got credentialed to work at a racetrack.
Then I told my personal trainer at the fitness center about it and she gave it a try and has been referring her clients ever since. The results have been so positive that we bought a second larger machine and they are both used every day of the week. At this point, it’s about 50/50 horses and people. As for myself, I have been able to go off my RA meds that I was on for 13 years, just by giving myself a treatment twice a week. It’s really been an eye opening game changer for us, Kool Aid or not!
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I have to ask what machine everyone is buying? Thinking about getting one to use on my pony.
I don’t have a full machine. I use the ActivoMed blanket system.
The only magnetic device that I know of that has a PROVEN effect on living tissue is the MRI machine. I’ve had two and these suckers are HONKING big magnets. They are in rooms clear of any ferrous metals and you are warned NOT to bring any in as when the machine is turned on they will become missiles!
The Navy has used degaussing cables for decades as a defense against magnetic mines. If you’ve ever seen them you would be impressed by their size and the size of the generators that power them.
Against this background I’m deeply skeptical of portable units that plug into 110v outlets.
Electro-stimulation therapy is a proven therapy. TENS units are used to encourage proper fracture healing. I’ve been through a couple of PT series of treatments for minor injury and age related conditions and it was quite effective there. But it’s not any form of “magnetic therapy.”
I remain unconvinced. My major problem with most anecdotal evidence is the speaker almost never has a genuine SOAP done so when the therapy is applied we don’t even know what it affected, if anything. Even if they’ve had a proper SOAP analysis there is no way to separate the effects of the PEMF application and plain, old Tincture of Time. Or refitted tack. Or better riding practices. Or any other form of improved husbandry.
Until I see a university level, double blind study I’ll remain deeply skeptical.
G.
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There are many double blind published studies of PEMF therapies in humans, including one where it was proven to be nearly as effective as surgery in shoulder injuries. There’s also many studies working to prove the chemical pathway by which PEMF works.
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Wow! I should raise my prices. I’m a PEMF therapist specializing in horses and dogs and my packages run $300 for 10 sessions or $500 for a package of 20. Sessions typically take 20-25 minutes, include a consultation or report, and massage or stretching as needed. Where are you located?
