MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Medicinal Therapies: Magnetic Therapy
MAGNETIC THERAPY INTRODUCTION
Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) are constantly present. The earth has its own magnetic field, aligned to the North and South poles, and even human body cells have subtle magnetic forces. Conventional medicine utilizes electrical equipment to generate EMFs that influence the body's natural electrical currents to promote healing. Complementary practitioners clain that ordinary magnets can also do this, and use devices such as magnetic wrist bands and beds to treat illness, particularly bone disorders. Magnetic therapy is not yet well established in the West, but is popular in Japan and eastern Europe.
MAIN USES OF MAGNETIC THERAPY
Bone disorders, fractures, osteoporosis.
Arthritis, inflamed joints & sprains.
Back & neck pain.
Insomnia, fatigue.
Headaches, migraines.
Hormonal imbalances.
Circulation problems.
Wound healing.
HISTORY OF MAGNETIC THERAPY
The therapeutic benefits of magnets are said to have been known to ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese doctors; Cleopatra allegedly wore a magnet on her head to retain her beauty. Aspects of the modern therapy can be traced to the work of the 18th-century Viennese physician Franz Anton Mesmer (See Hypnotherapy), who argued that magnets could enhance "animal magnetism," a universal force that he claimed permeated the obdy. Mesmer's methods, such as holding a metal wand over his patients, were dubious, but his ideas about magnetic poles were influential.
Magnetic therapy, also known as magnetotherapy or biomagnetic therapy, is popular today in Japan and eastern Europe. So far, it has not become well established in the West. However, strong EMFs, generated by electrical devices, are now being used in conventional medical practice in the US, UK, and Australia, for example by orthopedic surgeons to heal fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses EMFs in diagnosis, is considered superior to and safer than Xrays.
EVIDENCE & RESEARCH
Clinical research on the benefits of certain types of EMF is growing. A 1996 study in The Lancet found magnetic stimulation of the brain helped treat depression. In 1959, American surgeons discovered how to regenerate severed amphibian limbs using EMPs and developed this to heal human bone fractures. A 1990 University of Hawaii study froun EMFs helpful in treating osteoporosis. Surgeons in the US and UK use EMFs to treat fractured bones, non-healing wounds, edema, and deep vein thrombosis.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL OPINION
Conventional medicine recogizes the potential of strong EMFs, but with no evidence that weak magnetic fields can treat disease, conventional health care providers feel that magnetic devices are mostly little more than placebos..
CONSULTING A PRACTITIONER
According to practitioners, iron atoms in the red corpuscles of the blood respond to magnetism. When a magnet is placed on the patient's body, blood flow through the area is enhanced. This is said to improve the supply of oxygen to cells, stimulate the metabolism, and help in the elimination of waste products.
SELF-HELP TREATMENT
The therapy is more often practiced as a self-help treatment, using ordinary "static" magnets with weak EMFs. Products such as magnetic shoe insoles, straps, mattresses, pillows, and car-seat covers are available. The practitioner may show you how to use them, or you may recieve instruction from the equipment manufacturer or supplier. A practitioner would try to choose the most suitable treatment for your needs. "Supermagnets," for example, are supposed to emit a higher magnetic force, and should be positioned on specific parts of the body, often over lymph nodes or acupuncture points. Practitioners may also suggest electrical devices that emit pulsating fields at specific frequencies to target particular areas of body tissue. Such devices include beds, special belts, and cylinder-shaped mechines in which you sit.
The length of a treatment session varies according to the type of magnetic device used and can be anything from a few minutes to several hours.
MAGNETIC STRAPS
Magnetic straps may be worn on the knees, elbows, ankles, or wrists. They are thought to ease muscular pain and benefit those with arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
MAGNETIC BEDS
Negative pole, said to be calming and promote sound sleep. Sleeping on a magnetic bed is claimed to recharge the body's magnetism, stimulating the immune system and improving circulation.
MAGNETIC INSOLES
Insoles are covered with tiny magnets. Magnetic insoles emit a small magnetic charge to the feed and are said to improve circulation, energy, and endurance.
MAGNETIC WATER
Water is negatively charged. Magnetic water, made by placing a jug of water on a magnet's negative pole for up to 24 hours, can be taken to aid digestion.
MAGNETIC THERAPY PRECAUTIONS
Avoid magnetic therapy if you have a pacemaker.
Avoid magnetic therapy if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
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