A portable therapeutic field generator device (10) generates a reduced magnetic field component for a relatively large electric field by virtue that adjacent conductive tracks in a radiating element (40, 50) conduct electrical current in opposing directions. The device (10) includes a processor (12) that, in response to a control algorithm stored in memory (14), supplies a pulse wave (22) to a circuit containing the radiating element (40, 50). The pulse establishes generation of a base heartbeat reference having a frequency around a nominal heart rate. At periodic times, the base heart beat reference is supplemented by mutually exclusive periods of alpha wave, theta wave and delta wave generation (or other selected frequencies below about 200 Hz) based on selected brainwave frequencies for these waves, with the pulses having a duration generally corresponding to that ascribed to neuron depolarisation pulses. The device (10) cycles through multiple cycles (88) and, dependent upon the effect that is desired, may see delta wave frequencies follow theta wave frequencies that follow alpha wave frequencies. Delays may exist between transitions between the generated waves, with delta wave generation occurring no later than sixty minutes from commencement of alpha wave production for a mode that induces sleep. Delta waves production has, typically, a duration that is twice that of either the alpha or theta wave production. A second mode of operation sees longer pulse times for higher frequencies—between about 100 Hz and 500 Hz—associated with muscle stimulation.
