Tissue Responds to Absence of Ambient High EMF Implications for chronic pain treatment and recovery feature E lectro magnetic fields (EMF) are well identified and the subject of much discus-sion among such organizations as the World Health Organization (WHO), BC Hydro, California Hydro, Health Canada and the Tsawwassen power lines group, also in British Columbia. These organizations primarily discuss health problems caused by the presence of EMF , in association with cellphones, microwave ovens and power lines. A somewhat different perspective is to examine what happens in the absence of ambient EMF . Clinical research, including research involving fibromyalgia patients, has been published showing that the absence of EMF decreases chronic pain. Dr. Jack Taunton is a professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Division of Sports Medicine and the School of Kinesiology, at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Taunton was the chief medical officer (CMO) for Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and for Canada at the Sydney Olympics, two Pan American and two World Student Games. He was the wom-en’s team physician and association co-ordinating physician for Field Hockey Canada for more than 25 years. In addition to having a clinical practice in sports medicine at the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre, which he cofounded, he has a keen interest in overuse injuries and injury prevention. SOURCES OF EMF RESEARCH EMF is a magnetic field inherent in both natural and manmade environments. The most commonly measured range is 60 hertz, which is also the range associated with common use of household electricity. An example of the opposite and higher range is associated with diagnostic X-ray. Information regarding the effects of the low range of EMF is compiled by interna-tional organizations such as WHO through “The International EMF Project” and Health Canada through its website section “It’s Your Health, Electric and Magnetic Fields at Extremely Low Frequencies.” EMF-specific research is also conducted by researchers in many countries – their findings can be sourced with a simple Internet search. Phrases searched in Google or PubMed that include “EMF cell” or “EMF wound closure” gener-ate pages reporting on ongoing research on EMF . In Canada, the Lawson Health Research Institute includes its Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS), which has an international reputation for, and expertise in, research regarding the biological effects of static and time-varying magnetic field (MF) exposures and stimulations. The international interest and research is limited to concerns regarding the long-term harmful effects of low-range EMF and short-term therapeutic results of low-range EMF . The discussion regarding the potential harm from low-range EMF is expressed in terms of prolonged exposure to cellphones and power lines. APPLICATIONS IN HEALTH CARE Clinical EMF is applied in hospitals to support healing of and provide relief from chronic pain conditions. Devices used to generate low EMF ranges in hospital and clinical set-tings have been shown to promote some specific recovery of injury, including fracture and chronic pain. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are reported to be used in 78 per cent of hospitals in the United States in the healing of non-union fractures. 1 The published article titled Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields and Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Bone Tissue, reports on the metabolism of bone tissue and the integrity of joint cartilage. Studies are now beginning to highlight another and higher range of EMF that is as-sociated with improved cell function of the body’s connective tissue with no risk of harm to date. 2 The range of this EMF is 300 megahertz to four gigahertz. ABSENCE OF EMG PLAYS A ROLE Two important findings are demonstrated by this research: one is that the absence of ambient high EMF is also responsible for cellular response, and the other is that the range of conditions that respond to the absence of ambient high EMF is consistent with the same tissue class, namely, connective tissue. The list of conditions that react to this environment is expanding with continued observation and research. It is paramount to understand that when noting the multiple symptoms or conditions that respond, these symptoms are not created by existing ambient high EMF. www.canadianchiropractor.ca Jack Taunton, MSc, MD 30 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | OCTOBER 2012
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