PEMF & EMTT: How do they work and will they help my pet?

If you’ve been exploring options to help a dog with arthritis or slow-healing injuries, you may have come across terms like PEMF or EMTT. These therapies sound high-tech-- and they are-- but the basic idea is surprisingly simple: using gentle electromagnetic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.

Here’s an easy overview of what these treatments are, how they work, and when they may (or may not) help.

What Are PEMF and EMTT?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy (PEMF)

PEMF devices send tiny pulses of electromagnetic energy through the body using a coil. These pulses pass easily through fur, skin, and deeper tissues. The goal is to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support healing.

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT)

EMTT is essentially a stronger, more targeted version of PEMF. It uses higher power and higher-frequency pulses, which, based on early research, may offer more consistent results.

How Do These Therapies Work?

Although PEMF and EMTT may sound futuristic, the way they work is rooted in basic physics and cell biology.

EMTT Mechanism: Delivers high-frequency (up to 300 kHz) and high-energy magnetic pulses to directly stimulate cell membranes and trigger electrical changes.

PEMF Mechanism: Uses low-frequency (1-100 Hz) and lower field strength pulses.

1. They reach deep tissues

Unlike light-based therapies (like photobiomodulation/laser), electromagnetic fields penetrate deeper into muscles, joints, and bone.

2. They influence cellular activity

Research shows that PEMF increases the amount of calcium inside cells. This triggers a cascade of helpful biological effects, including:

• Increased blood flow

• Reduced inflammation

• Healthier cell signaling

• Support for cartilage and bone repair

• Improve ATP (energy) production from damaged or aging cells

• Protection against bone deterioration

A canine patient receiving EMTT to his hip to help manage his hip dysplasia.

What Do We Know About Benefits in Pets?

Promising, but still developing, evidence: studies in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) show that PEMF can help reduce pain. Some dogs move more comfortably even after treatment ends. One study found that dogs treated with PEMF maintained improvement longer than those treated with NSAIDs alone.

What about EMTT? EMTT shows strong results in humans for reducing pain and supporting soft tissue and bone healing. But it has not yet been studied in dogs with arthritis, so we avoid making assumptions until veterinary research catches up.

When Is PEMF Used?

PEMF has been used for decades in human medicine and is now increasingly common in veterinary care. It may be recommended for:

• Arthritis management (all stages)

• Improving mobility and comfort

• Supporting bone and cartilage health

• Assisting in the healing of fractures, especially those slow to heal

Many veterinarians find it especially helpful for dogs with mild to moderate OA, though benefits vary.

Cat receiving EMTT therapy to his hip region.

Dog with a pemf loop around his elbow at home.

Dog receiving EMTT therapy to his hip region.

How Are Treatments Given?

EMTT is typically determined by your veterinarian or practitioner. Our typical protocol can be 1-2 times a week for 6 to 8 sessions and then as needed. These are done in-house by our trained practitioners. Treatment time can take about 10-15 minutes, depending on how many areas are being treated.

PEMF requires repeated, longer sessions; home-use devices can be especially practical.

• Loops: At-home devices like the Assisi or HealFast, these devices need to be in the area of interest.

• Beds: These allow the pet to lie on it for full body coverage. We recommend Respond Systems beds, which are also used during many in-house treatments

Limitations to Keep in Mind

Like any therapy, PEMF and EMTT aren’t miracle cures. Here’s what the research tells us:

• Different devices produce different results.

• There’s no universally standardized protocol yet.

• One-time treatments usually don’t work; consistency matters.

Are There Contraindications?

There are not many contraindications for either Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapies in dogs and cats The primary contraindications are pregnancy and the presence of electronic implants like pacemakers.

Takeaway

PEMF and EMTT are exciting, non-invasive tools for managing pain and supporting joint and bone health, especially for conditions like osteoarthritis. We at Red Sage are already implementing these technologies as parts of multimodal pain-management plans.

If you would like more information on these devices or feel it can help your pet, let us know. We are happy to talk about these exciting and cutting edge modalities.

A canine patient receiving EMTT therapy to his elbow to help manage his elbow dysplasia.