Posted 12/30/2020 9:22 AM (GMT -5)
The microenvoronment within a bone metastasis is "hypoxic" -- low in oxygen.
See for example "Hypoxic Microenvironment and Metastatic Bone Disease", Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Nov; 19(11): 3523. Published online 2018 Nov 9. doi: 10.3390/ijms19113523
There are so-called PEMF (pulsed electromagentic field) devices on the market, usually in the form of a mat you lay on, some with accessories for more intense treatment to injured areas.
PEMF is releasing long (i.e. low Hz) electromagnetic waves. The Earth itself has a background electromagnetic field of 7.83Hz. There is evidence that this "therapy" opens up the microvasculature, permitting blood (and therefore oxygen) flow. People who use these mats for 8 minutes per day attest that they are generally feeling better. People who have used the intense local therapy report improvement. I have it used for shoulder pain and definitely found it helpful.
So, it occurs to me that it might help bone metastases. Unsurprisingly this is not an original idea. There are Articles on this subject. For example, see "Mechanisms and therapeutic effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in oncology" which reviewed in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies employing PEMF therapy for cancer treatment published between 1976 and 2016.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5119968/
There are a number of brands that deliver this kind of therapy. Bemer appears to be the most well known. Standard treatment is to lay on the mat for eight minutes twice a day. Some physical therapists offer it as part of their treatment. Alternatively you can purchase a quality product for
$3,000 - $6,000. Most manufacturers offer liberal return policies. QRS, for example, I believe permits you to return for up to six months for a modest restocking fee of 5%.
I have a Bemer and after commencing daily treatment I felt that I had more energy and the fatigue side effects of some of the medication lessened.
Recently, I have been using the local device on the area of my pelvis where there is a bone metastasis. Does it help? I have no idea.