Oska Pulse Reduces Knee, Shoulder and Back Pain

By Pat Anson, Editor

A wearable device that stimulates the release of natural pain-relieving endorphins provides significant relief to patients with chronic knee, shoulder or back pain, according to the results of small clinical trial.

The Oska Pulse uses Pulsed Electromagnetic Field technology (PEMF) to dilate blood vessels, which increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and releases the body’s endorphins to reduce joint and muscle pain.

The double blind, placebo-controlled study involved 30 patients who were recruited from two San Diego area pain clinics. Participants were given either an Oska Pulse or a placebo device and asked to wear them several times a day for two weeks, while completing a daily log to track their pain, stress and usage.

The study findings, first published in Practical Pain Management, found that the majority of participants who used the Oska Pulse had a significant decrease in pain levels. Some also reported a decrease in stress.

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“There was significantly more reduction in pain in the OSKA Pulse group after 14 days of use than placebo. These results suggested that the OSKA Pulse may be an effective tool in pain attenuation,” wrote lead author Joseph Shurman, MD, an anesthesiologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA.

“Data analyses showed interesting trends in subjective pain scores, including a slight increase in pain in the placebo group after day 7, while the OSKA Pulse group, on average, reported a decline in pain intensity.”

Previous studies have found that PEMF therapy can be used to treat a variety of chronic pain conditions, not just simple muscle aches and joint pain. A recent survey of Oska Pulse users found that half had some type of pain for more than five years.

"I've had RSD/CRPS in my left leg for 21 years and tried many meds and treatments over the years, including 10 years of ketamine infusions," said Tracey M., an Oska customer quoted in a news release. "I started using Oska Pulse nine months ago and my pain was reduced more than ever before. I recently danced at my daughter's wedding. Before Oska, I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to attend."

PNN columnist Arlene Grau, who lives with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, was at first skeptical about the Oska Pulse. But after trying it for several days, she found the device gave her some temporary pain relief.

“I originally thought the Oska Pulse was not going to work for me, since I'm used to the TENS unit shocking my body and actually feeling something happening. You don’t really ‘feel’ anything when the Oska Pulse is on, but I felt a difference after every use,” Arlene said. “I wouldn't necessarily compare it to the relief I get from opioids, but it was enough to make me feel like I didn't need to take prescription drugs every 4 hours. Which is a triumph.”  

Before using the Oska Pulse, it is recommended that cancer patients, or those who are pregnant, nursing, or have a pacemaker or defibrillator, should consult with their physician.

The Oska Pulse is available on Amazon for $399.

Miss Understood: The Oska Pulse Trial

(Editor’s note:  Several weeks ago we were contacted by a representative for Oska Wellness, a San Diego company that makes the Oska Pulse, a wearable device that uses Pulsed Electromagnetic Field technology (PEMF) to treat pain. According to the company, the device dilates blood vessels and releases the body’s natural endorphins, which “has been shown to reduce joint and muscle pain by reducing inflammation.” It sells online for $399.

The company was invited and agreed to provide an Oska Pulse at no cost to PNN columnist Arlene Grau for a test run.)

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By Arlene Grau, Columnist

As many of my fellow pain sufferers know, when it comes to finding relief most of us are willing to try anything. In order to relieve my pain I go through a long list of pain relieving strategies, including a TENS unit, opioids and pain patches. So adding the Oska Pulse wasn’t anything new, especially since the directions were so easy to follow.

In the first weeks of treatment, it’s recommended that you use the device 4-6 times a day for half an hour. Although I don't work due to my being on disability, I'm still a busy mother of two, so this seemed a bit much for me. But I followed the guidelines to get the most out of my experience.

The Oska Pulse is very easy to use. You simply wrap it over the area you want to target, push the button, ensure it beeps and lights up, and the device does the rest. You don't feel or hear anything while it's on, except for when it shuts off, which is kind of nice because you can either relax while you wear it or go about your business. I used it for both my lower back and right hip.

After about a week, I was able to get some pain relief from the Oska Pulse. I wouldn't necessarily compare it to the relief I get from opioids, but it was enough to make me feel like I didn't need to take prescription drugs every 4 hours (which is a triumph). I only took them at bedtime or once or twice for breakthrough pain during the day.

I found that wearing the device 2-3 times in the morning when my back pain and hip are usually at their worst gave me the best results. Then I would wait a few hours and wear it again for one interval. At bedtime I would lay in bed and wear it another 2-3 times.

With the exception of how often I needed to use the device, which is what I think some people may be turned off by, I think the Oska Pulse really helps.

For those of you who work, you can actually wear the Oska Pulse over your clothing and still feel the effects of it. The benefits outweigh the inconvenience of wearing it.

I originally thought the Oska Pulse was not going to work for me, since I'm used to the TENS unit shocking my body and actually feeling something happening. You don’t really “feel” anything when the Oska Pulse is on, but I felt a difference after every use.

In my personal opinion, I think the Oska Pulse did a great job at temporarily relieving my pain and minimizing my inflammation.

Arlene Grau lives in California. She suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, migraine, vasculitis, and Sjogren’s disease.

The information in this column should not be considered as professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only and represent the author’s opinions alone. It does not inherently express or reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of Pain News Network.