Electromagnetic Therapy

This treatment modality is used in place of conventional therapies to treat cancer. Seek advice from a qualified physician before replacing standard cancer therapy with electromagnetic therapy.

What does electromagnetic therapy involve?

Electromagnetic therapy, also known as electromagnetism, bioelectricity, magnetobiology, magnetic field therapy and magnetic healing, applies electromagnetic energy to the body to treat disease. Instead of using drug-based treatments, "energy medicine" proponents apply electrical, magnetic, microwave and infrared devices to treat illness.

How is electromagnetic therapy thought to treat cancer?

Electricity and magnetic energy exist in the human body. Proponents of electromagnetic therapy believe that when electromagnetic fields of energy within the body become unbalanced, they disrupt the body's chemical makeup resulting in disease and illness.  Practitioners of electromagnetic therapy believe that they can rebalance these energy fields by applying external electrical energy.

What has been proven about the benefit of electromagnetic therapy?

Although many proponents make claims about its value, there is no scientific evidence available that any electromagnetic therapies work.  The human body cannot exist without its own internal electricity energy system to ensure heartbeat and muscle contraction, but it is unknown whether applying an external electrical source can help cancer patients.  There is also no conclusive evidence that application of magnets to the skin can relieve pain, infection, stress or insomnia.

What is the potential risk or harm of electromagnetic therapy?

Electromagnetic therapy is a noninvasive, drug-free form of treatment. However, the most common complaint of patients using electromagnetic therapy is the development of a skin rash from the adhesive used to attach the device to the skin.  Patients with a cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator should avoid this therapy. 

How much does electromagnetic therapy cost?

Costs will vary depending on which electrical device is used and whether treatment is done at home or in a practitioner's office. 

For additional information:

Bio-Electro-Magnetics Institute
2490 West Moana Lane
Reno, NV  89509
Telephone:  775-827-9099

Note: Information about therapies is intended to help you make informed choices, not to endorse any particular therapy. The information is courtesy of "Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer Patients," a handbook written as an independent study project by Heather Morein. For more information, see the full text of the handbook (PDF), including all references and appendices.