What PEMF Frequency Is Best? What Hertz Actually Means

PEMF devices run at different frequencies. Here's what the numbers mean, and why nobody can honestly tell you the one best setting.

What PEMF frequency is best? No one has proven a single best setting. PEMF trials, mostly in knee osteoarthritis, used different devices, frequencies and intensities, and the results were mixed and modest. One review found the gains depended partly on device settings, but none tells you which setting suits you. Comfort is a sensible starting point.

You'll also find charts online matching each frequency to a specific problem. We don't use those charts, because they aren't backed by solid research.

What Does Frequency Mean?

PEMF frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), which means pulses per second. A 10 Hz setting sends 10 pulses per second. Different devices offer different frequency ranges, and some let the practitioner change the frequency during a session.

How Is Frequency Different From Intensity?

Intensity is a separate setting. It describes how strong each pulse is, while frequency describes how often the pulses come. Devices differ a lot on both, and on how long a session runs. That's one reason it's hard to compare one PEMF study, or one PEMF device, with another.

Is There a Best PEMF Frequency?

Most PEMF research looks at knee osteoarthritis. A 2022 meta-analysis (Tong et al.) reported improvements in pain, stiffness and function, but many of the trials carried a high risk of bias. A 2019 meta-analysis of knee trials (Chen et al.) found function improved, but no significant effect on pain or stiffness. A 2026 meta-analysis (Chang et al.) found statistically significant gains that may be too small to matter in daily life, and that depended on timing and device settings.

That 2026 finding tells you settings may matter. It doesn't tell you which setting is best for you, and the trials are small, so the results may not carry over to every machine, including ours.

What About Frequency Charts Online?

Be wary of any chart that pairs a number of hertz with a condition, or promises that one setting fixes a specific problem. The studies we cite don't support that kind of precision. If a device seller leans heavily on a chart like that, ask them which published research it comes from.

Does a Stronger Setting Work Better?

We can't point to research showing that more intensity means better results. What we do know is that a setting you find uncomfortable isn't a setting you'll want to come back for. That's why we start low.

How Do We Choose Settings at DWT Wellness?

Our founder, Wendy Graham, is a certified MagnaWave PEMF practitioner. She adjusts settings for comfort and for what you're focused on, like general recovery or post-workout recovery. Here's how it works:

1. Before you start, we ask about implants, devices, pregnancy and recent surgery.
2. You stay fully clothed, on a mat or with an applicator over the area you choose.
3. We start at a low intensity. Most people feel a light tapping or pulse, and some feel nothing at all.
4. You tell us how it feels, and we adjust. If a setting is uncomfortable, we change it or stop.
5. The session runs about 20 to 30 minutes, with no downtime.

How Can You Tell If a Setting Suits You?

Go by comfort first. Give it a few sessions, and keep a short note afterward about how you felt. If you enjoy the sessions and feel good afterward, that's a reasonable sign to keep going. If you notice nothing after a fair try, tell us honestly. Frequency is also a separate question from how often you come in, which we cover in how often to do PEMF.

Who Shouldn't Try PEMF?

• Anyone with a pacemaker, defibrillator or other implanted electronic device.
• Anyone who is pregnant.
• Anyone with metal implants such as plates, screws or a joint replacement: ask us first.
• If you've had surgery recently, get clearance from your surgeon first and bring it to your first session.

Have questions about settings? Call (973) 908-1524 or contact us online. Your first session is free. Ask us for current session and package pricing: (973) 908-1524. Learn more on our PEMF page.

Frequently Asked Questions