Magnetic field-based therapy involves the delivery of a particular form of energy to the tissues, much like ultrasound (which happens to be mechanical energy) or laser (which happens to be light-based electromagnetic energy). The application of energy to the tissues will result in a physiological change or stimulation, which can, in turn, be used to generate therapeutic effects. Each type of energy will have different absorption in the tissues so that even if their effects have a commonality, where those effects are achieved will be different for the various energies.

Ultrasound therapy, for example, will be most effective when applied to the tissues which strongly absorb (respond to) this (mechanical) energy - which is the dense collagen-based tissue - such as ligament, tendon, fascia, etc. Laser light is preferentially absorbed in the superficial, preferably vascular tissue, and thus, this is the site of its dominant effect in the clinical environment. Magnetic energy will have an effect on the tissue along these same lines.