Based on current biological findings, magnetic resonance therapy (KSRT/MBST®; sometimes also referred to as nuclear magnetic resonance therapy (NMRT) or therapeutic nuclear magnetic resonance (tNMR)) can clearly be classified as a physical therapy and works via established mechanisms of energy, redox, and inflammation regulation. Functionally, it corresponds to photobiomodulation with effects comparable to laser therapy, but overcomes its significant limitations by effectively stimulating even deep tissue structures.
From the previous understanding of how it works to a more precise biological classification
In 2025, several articles on KSRT appeared in the sportärztezeitung. These publications contributed significantly to familiarizing a broad readership in orthopedic sports medicine with the procedure and presenting its clinical applications in acute, degenerative, inflammatory, and post-traumatic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For many users, this was their first structured contact with a form of therapy that belongs to the physical procedures but seemed to stand out from classic physical modalities. However, a specific narrative persists: KSRT is perceived less as part of established physical medicine and more as an independent and difficult-to-classify procedure. The experimental and cell biology data available today now allow for a much more precise classification, which neither relativizes previous clinical experience nor diminishes its significance, but rather anchors it more firmly in science.
Magnetic Resonance Therapy in the context of physical medicine
From a therapeutic perspective, KSRT meets all the criteria of modern physical therapy. It is non-invasive, works without ionizing radiation, does not cause any significant tissue heating, and can be easily integrated into multimodal treatment concepts. The electromagnetic fields used are in the low-energy range and are not used for imaging, but for targeted biological stimulation. This makes therapeutic KSRT fundamentally different from diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While the latter uses high field strengths to obtain signals, KSRT works with much lower field strengths and specifically tuned radio frequency excitation. The aim is not to visualize tissue, but to influence cellular regulatory processes. In this respect, KSRT is in line with other physical procedures such as laser therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy.
Metaphors and misunderstandings
Historically, KSRT has sometimes been described using terms such as “resonance,” “cellular order,” or “energetic attunement/energy transfer.” Such metaphors can help to illustrate complex physical relationships, but they carry the risk of unnecessarily mystifying the therapy. The available scientific data clearly show that such an interpretation is not necessary. The effects of KSRT can be consistently explained by known biological mechanisms that have been intensively researched for years and also underlie other physical therapies. KSRT is therefore neither esoteric nor difficult to explain, but fits logically into existing concepts of physical medicine.
The biological core mechanism: energy, redox balance, and inflammation regulation
Regardless of the cell type studied, KSRT consistently produces recurring biological effects. Cells respond by stabilizing their energy metabolism, improving mitochondrial function, and normalizing their redox state. At the same time, pro-inflammatory signaling pathways are dampened, particularly those associated with chronic inflammation and tissue degeneration. This combination is highly relevant clinically. Chronic musculoskeletal disorders are almost always characterized by a combination of low-grade inflammation, disturbed energy homeostasis, and limited regenerative capacity. A therapy that targets precisely these points not only addresses the symptoms but also regulates the underlying processes.
Parallels to laser and photobiomodulation therapy
The basic principles of laser and photobiomodulation therapy are well known to readers of the sportärztezeitung. Here, too, the focus is not on local heating, but on the activation of mitochondrial processes with downstream modulation of inflammatory and regenerative mechanisms. The absorption of light energy leads to an increase in ATP production, controlled reactive oxygen signaling, and the activation of anabolic cell programs. A comparison of these effects with those of KSRT reveals remarkable similarities. In both cases, inflammatory signaling pathways are inhibited, energy metabolism is stabilized, and regenerative processes are promoted. The difference here lies not in the biological target, but in the physical approach and the spectrum of effects.
The decisive clinical difference: penetration depth
The greatest practical limitation of laser therapy is its limited penetration depth. Despite optimal wavelength selection, the biologically effective amount of light decreases significantly with increasing tissue depth. Deeper structures such as the hip joint, spine, intervertebral discs, or subchondral bone areas are practically impossible to reach. This is where KSRT has a key advantage. Magnetic fields and the radiofrequency excitation used penetrate biological tissue with virtually no loss. The biologically relevant stimulation thus also reaches deep target structures with sufficient intensity, without thermal stress or radiation exposure.
Differentiation from pulsed electromagnetic field therapy
With the growing popularity of KSRT, the question inevitably arises as to how it differs from pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT). Both methods are non-invasive, deeply effective, and show comparable clinical endpoints such as pain reduction and functional improvement. Nevertheless, it would be simplistic to regard KSRT merely as a variant of PEMFT. Classic PEMFT is primarily explained by time-varying magnetic fields that induce electric fields and microcurrents in the tissue. This results in effects on cell membranes, ion channels—especially calcium homeostasis—and downstream signaling pathways such as adenosine receptors and growth factors. These mechanisms explain the good evidence for PEMFT, e.g., in fracture healing and edema reduction. KSRT, on the other hand, shows an effect profile that points less to immediate membrane or current phenomena and more to a modulation of intracellular regulatory systems. Noteworthy are the consistent influence on energy metabolism, redox balance, and time-dependent biological programs. The two methods therefore do not compete with each other, but rather complement each other within multimodal therapy concepts.
Consequences for clinical application
From a therapeutic perspective, KSRT can be understood as a form of deep photobiomodulation: biologically comparable to laser therapy, but without its optical limitations. ESWT is also limited in its penetration depth and cannot reach deeper structures such as the hip joint, spine, and intervertebral discs with a therapeutically relevant energy flux density. KSRT is therefore not intended as a replacement or complete alternative, but rather as a useful supplement to physically based multimodal therapy, especially where depth and volume play a decisive role. This property opens up new therapeutic possibilities within existing conservative treatment concepts, particularly for degenerative diseases of large joints, spinal pathologies, osteoporosis, and chronic inflammatory processes in bones and cartilage. In this context, it should be noted that there are KSRT/MBST® devices that can be used to treat the entire human body simultaneously if necessary (e.g., in systemic processes such as osteoporosis); this is not the case for any other physical therapy method mentioned in this article.
Conclusion
The articles published in 2025 have raised the profile of KSRT in the sportärztezeitung and underscored its clinical relevance. The next step is to establish a precise scientific classification. KSRT is not a marginal or difficult-to-explain special form of medicine, but rather a biologically consistent, physically rational therapy with clear parallels to photobiomodulation—enhanced by the decisive advantage of deep effectiveness. Properly understood, KSRT loses none of its fascination—on the contrary. Rather, it gains clarity, connectivity, and therapeutic credibility within modern physical medicine.
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Co-authors of the article:
PD Dr. med. Anna J. Schreiner, EBERHARD-KARLS-UNIVERSITÄT TÜBINGEN & MEDTEC MEDIZINTECHNIK GMBH, GIEßEN / Prof. Dr. med. Götz Welsch, UKE ATHLETICUM AM UNIVERSITÄTSKLINIKUM HAMBURG EPPENDORF /Steffen Tröster, 1. FSV MAINZ 05 / Dr. med. Stephan Hub, UC AM BRAND, MAINZ / Peter Stiller, MEDWORKS, AUGSBURG / T. Charles Mamisch, MD / PhD, LIFCO AB, ENKÖPING, SCHWEDEN
Autoren
ist Inhaber des Lehrstuhls II der Anatomischen Anstalt der Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München und wissenschaftlicher Beirat der sportärztezeitung.
