Short time effects of a low-frequency, high intensity magnetic field in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain

Mattia Fortina; Aurelio Vittoria; Stefano Giannotti; Pasquale Biandolino; Gabriele Cevenini; Serafino Carta; Mattia Fortina; Aurelio Vittoria; Stefano Giannotti; Pasquale Biandolino; Gabriele Cevenini; Serafino Carta

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2022021

AIMS Public Health

2022, Volume 9, Issue 2: 307-315. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2022021

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Research article Topical Sections

Short time effects of a low-frequency, high intensity magnetic field in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain

1.
Orthopedics Department, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
2.
University of Siena, Siena, Italy
3.
Department of Anesthesia and Cardiothoracic Vascular Intensive Therapy, University Hospital of Siena; Siena, Italy
4.
Medical Biotechnologies Department, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
5.
Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy

Received: 10 November 2021 Revised: 20 January 2022 Accepted: 27 January 2022 Published: 10 February 2022

Introduction
Neck and back pain afflicts millions of people. Magnetotherapy has shown to have anti-inflammatory effects that could act on pain generation, but the literature lacks provide a precise therapeutic protocol.

Methods
A high-intensity electromagnetic field with a dedicated applicator was administered to 38 patients with low-back pain and 30 patients with neck pain. The device provides 60 mT and a frequency of 50 Hz for 30 minutes, the session was repeated 4 times.

Results
The mean VAS of the low-back pain group decreased from 6.56 to 4.54, with a significant reduction of 30.8%. The mean VAS of the neck pain group decreased from 6.51 to 1.96, with a significant reduction of 69.9%.

Discussion
The treatment used showed good results in both groups of the patient, without side effects. The therapeutic protocol adopted is safe, provide rapid relief from the pain and is not time demanding. This treatment could represent an effective non-pharmacologic physical therapy option in the treatment of low-back pain and cervical pain.
- PEMF,
- back pain,
- neck pain,
- magnetic-therapy,
- musculoskeletal disorders,
- conservative treatment
Citation: Mattia Fortina, Aurelio Vittoria, Stefano Giannotti, Pasquale Biandolino, Gabriele Cevenini, Serafino Carta. Short time effects of a low-frequency, high intensity magnetic field in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2022, 9(2): 307-315. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2022021

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Abstract

Introduction

Neck and back pain afflicts millions of people. Magnetotherapy has shown to have anti-inflammatory effects that could act on pain generation, but the literature lacks provide a precise therapeutic protocol.

Methods

A high-intensity electromagnetic field with a dedicated applicator was administered to 38 patients with low-back pain and 30 patients with neck pain. The device provides 60 mT and a frequency of 50 Hz for 30 minutes, the session was repeated 4 times.

Results

The mean VAS of the low-back pain group decreased from 6.56 to 4.54, with a significant reduction of 30.8%. The mean VAS of the neck pain group decreased from 6.51 to 1.96, with a significant reduction of 69.9%.

Discussion

The treatment used showed good results in both groups of the patient, without side effects. The therapeutic protocol adopted is safe, provide rapid relief from the pain and is not time demanding. This treatment could represent an effective non-pharmacologic physical therapy option in the treatment of low-back pain and cervical pain.

Conflict of interests

SC has interest unrelated to this work: he is an educational consultant for Zimmer-Biomet and the authors have also no other competing interests to declare.

References

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