PEMF therapy for nurse and healthcare worker back pain

Hard exclusions — do not have PEMF if any apply:

• Pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), or any cardiac electronic device
• Cochlear implant or other implanted electronic hearing device
• Spinal cord stimulator, deep-brain stimulator, vagus nerve stimulator
• Intrathecal pump or implanted drug pump
• Insulin pump (continuous glucose monitors are usually fine — confirm with the clinic)
• Active infection at the treatment site
• Pregnancy — when treatment would be over the abdomen, lumbar spine, or pelvis

Discuss with your GP or specialist before booking if any apply:

• Active malignancy or recent cancer history (oncologist clearance required)
• History of seizures or epilepsy
• Multiple sclerosis or other neurological condition under specialist care
• Anticoagulant therapy (PEMF itself does not thin blood, but bruising risk if local circulation is already compromised)
• Children under 14 (most UK clinics will not treat under-18s without paediatric specialist input)
• Recent surgery within the last 14 days at the treatment site (confirm with surgeon)

NOT contraindications — these are commonly misunderstood:

• Plates, rods, screws and other passive metal orthopaedic hardware
• Dental implants and dental crowns
• Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder)
• IUDs (copper or hormonal)
• Tattoos and piercings (jewellery should be removed for the session)

Specific to this condition: pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants, insulin pumps, electronic implants; active malignancy without specialist clearance; pregnancy (over the abdomen); active infection; epilepsy without GP clearance.

Always tell the clinic about every implant, device, medication and medical condition before your first session. A reputable PEMF practitioner will do a written health screen before treating you. If they don't — choose a different clinic.