Is Bemer Therapy Legitimate or Snake Oil?

What is BEMER Therapy?

BEMER therapy refers to a treatment that utilizes electromagnetic waves to stimulate blood flow and improve circulation. BEMER stands for Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation. The therapy involves using a medical device to deliver a pulsed electromagnetic field to the body.

The BEMER device is placed on or over the body during a treatment session. Most devices contain electrodes that are positioned on target areas. The electromagnetic pulses are concentrated on tissues lying underneath the electrodes.

Treatments are non-invasive and drugs are not used. Sessions typically last around 15 to 30 minutes. The electromagnetic wavelength, frequency and intensity can be adjusted based on the individual's needs.

Proposed Benefits

BEMER therapy was invented in Germany in the 1990s. Since then, it has gained popularity as a complementary medical treatment used to improve circulation and address various health conditions. According to advocates and sellers of the therapy, potential benefits may include:

• Increased blood flow
• Reduced inflammation
• Faster recovery from injury
• Pain relief
• Improved muscle function
• Enhanced physical endurance and stamina
• Stronger immune system
• Anti-aging effects

There are also claims that BEMER therapy could be helpful for conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage, diabetes complications, varicose veins, erectile dysfunction, migraines, multiple sclerosis, sports injuries and more.

Criticisms and Concerns

While BEMER therapy sounds appealing, there are some important criticisms and concerns surrounding this treatment method:

• Lack of evidence - More high quality research is still needed to back up health claims related to BEMER. Current research is fairly limited.
• No FDA approval - BEMER devices have not been cleared or approved by the FDA for medical use or curing/treating any condition.
• Possibility of risks - Some doctors warn there could be risks such as agitation of implanted devices like defibrillators or pacemakers. Blood flow changes could also impact conditions like tumors or clots.
• High cost - Purchasing a full BEMER device can cost thousands of dollars. This limits accessibility for many consumers.
• Overreliance - There's a danger that people may use BEMER as a replacement for proven conventional treatments.

Given the lack of clinical trials and regulatory oversight, many experts argue that BEMER therapy should not be considered a primary treatment approach.

Evaluating the Evidence on BEMER

To better understand whether BEMER therapy is scientifically supported or pure pseudoscience, it's important to analyze the current research that exists.

Pre-Clinical Trials

A number of experimental studies on animals and isolated cells have been conducted to evaluate the effects of BEMER electromagnetic pulse therapy and explore how it might work.

For example, a 2020 study published in The Journal of Physiological Sciences found that BEMER therapy modulated the inflammatory response and appeared to accelerate wound healing in laboratory rats. Another rat study in Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery showed microcirculation improvements from BEMER treatment.

While results of pre-clinical studies seem promising, it's critical to recognize their limitations:

• Findings in animals and cells do not necessarily translate to the same results in humans.
• These early studies evaluate biomarkers but don't assess clinical benefits or long-term outcomes.
• Experiments were small scale.
• There was potential for researcher bias.

In science, animal and cell research represents the preliminary stages of testing. While important, this level of evidence is generally too weak to draw conclusions about efficacy and safety in humans.

Human Clinical Trials

High quality human clinical trials are necessary to truly determine if a treatment works and is safe when used in patients and medical scenarios. Unfortunately, research at this level is still limited for BEMER therapy.

A 2019 literature review published in Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine examined data from clinical trials evaluating the use of BEMER devices for cardiovascular conditions. After screening many studies, they could identify only 5 sufficiently rigorous randomized controlled trials investigating BEMER in patients with heart disease.

While these 5 trials did report some improvements related to parameters like circulation, endurance and recovery, the review highlighted important limitations:

• Small sample sizes (35 patients or less per study).
• Lack of standardized protocols for treatment parameters.
• Poor selection criteria for subjects.
• Short treatment periods.
• Weak statistical analysis.

Based on the low quality and high bias risk, the authors concluded "the therapeutic efficacy and safety of BEMER therapy are not well established."

A 2021 double-blind randomized controlled pilot study published in Trials did find that the BEMER procedure significantly decreased pain and increased physical mobility in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee compared to sham treatment. While results were statistically significant, this study was again very small with just 37 subjects.

Most proponents of BEMER point to research by Dr. Rainer Klopp, who is closely tied to BEMER International AG, the manufacturer of the commercial medical devices. Therefore, his studies may involve conflicts of interest and are not considered truly independent or objective.

Summary of Evidence

In summary, current research on BEMER therapy includes:

• Preclinical studies reporting some benefits in cells and animal models.
• A small number of human trials with significant limitations and biases, making it difficult to draw conclusions.
• A lack of rigorous, large scale studies validating effectiveness and safety.

While some potential exists based on preliminary studies, there is not yet convincing unbiased evidence that BEMER treats medical conditions or improves health outcomes. More high quality clinical trials are required to establish medical legitimacy.

What Experts Say About Bemer Therapy

Given the lack of solid research, what do experts in various fields related to Bemer therapy have to say?

Medical Doctors

Many doctors recommend caution with Bemer therapy, even when they don't completely reject it.

For example, sports medicine physician Dr. David Geier writes that while the concept behind Bemer makes sense, "its not ready for prime time yet." He states there are "too many red flags to recommend it at this time," including lack of FDA approval, lack of clinical trials, and high cost.

Mayo clinic physician Brent Bauer, M.D. states "limited research has been done on the health claims made by the manufacturer of BEMER devices." While he notes electromagnetic therapy for certain conditions can have some plausibility, he concludes there is insufficient evidence to recommend Bemer treatment.

The non-profit Institute for Credentialing Excellence reports on various experts doubting Bemer's efficacy and safety claims, including James Dillard, M.D. and Andrew Weil, M.D. They urge patients interested in electromagnetic therapies to consult their physician first.

Government Regulators

Government health agencies like the FDA also warn consumers to be wary of medical claims made about Bemer devices.

The FDA points out that no Bemer products have FDA approval for treating medical conditions ordiagnose curing diseases. Bemer devices are only cleared by the FDA for general wellness purposes under very limited low risk circumstances.

Health Canada previously warned about unauthorized health claims made by Bemer Canada. While they noted some preliminary evidence, they stated "there is insufficient scientific information to support the proposed uses."

Physical Therapy Organizations

Groups like the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) suggest there is minimal evidence at this time showing Bemer provides any benefits beyond a placebo effect. They do not recommend it for physical therapy treatment plans.

Similarly, a director from Physiotherapy Alberta reviewed Bemer therapy and concluded "the evidence is not strong enough to support physiotherapists making recommendations."

Is Bemer Therapy Safe?

Advocates for Bemer therapy promote it as a safe, drug-free, non-invasive treatment option. But a few points of caution are in order.

While considered gentle, electromagnetic stimulation still has the potential to impact the body. The FDA notes there are hypothetical risks like interference with implanted medical devices or increased blood flow to tumors/cancers. More research is still needed to fully characterize side effects.

Use of Bemer devices also involves some precautions like avoiding placing electrodes over areas with skin conditions, implants or pregnancy. The intensity and duration of treatment must be controlled to avoid burns.

Those with medical conditions, taking medications or who are pregnant/nursing should talk to their physician before trying Bemer therapy.

It's also key to remember that while a treatment itself may be safe, forgoing conventional medical therapies in favor of an alternative option can indirectly impact health.

Should You Try Bemer Therapy?

Given the lack of unbiased clinical trials and regulatory approval, Bemer therapy cannot yet be recommended as an effective medical treatment, despite the array of health claims made by the company.

However, this does not mean it should be completely dismissed. Some doctors and health experts believe it still could hold promise and warrants further controlled study.

Current evidence indicates Bemer therapy likely does not pose major safety risks for most people when used cautiously under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Those interested in trying it may experience benefits like temporary pain reduction, muscle relaxation or improved sense of well-being.

Bemer therapy alone should not replace conventional treatments recommended by your physician. But it could be carefully incorporated into an overall wellness plan. Communicate with your doctor before starting Bemer or any alternative therapy.

While more research is still needed, some people may find the cost of Bemer treatment justifiable for general therapeutic effects like stress reduction. Still, consumers are encouraged to approach claims of medical miracles or cure-alls with appropriate skepticism.

In Conclusion

The bottom line - the limited existing data means the efficacy of Bemer therapy is still inconclusive. While generally considered safe under proper usage, risks have not been ruled out.

People interested in electromagnetic therapies can consider trying Bemer while understanding current limitations in knowledge. But they should not abandon mainstream medicine or expect guaranteed results. A balanced perspective is wise until more definitive clinical trials are available.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.