Research Supports Claim
Long derailed as pseudoscience, magnet therapy got a boost when a group of University of Virginia researchers, investigating the effect of magnetic therapy on microcirculation, found that magnets can reduce swelling when applied immediately after an inflammatory injury. Tests on rats revealed that magnets dilated constricted blood vessels, and constricted vessels that were dilated, suggesting that magnetic fields could relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Quite a few research studies have shown that claims made about magnetic cure may be right.
• The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in a study found magnet therapy effective at blocking pain caused by post-polio syndrome. (This syndrome, marked by leg pain, affects up to 20% of polio sufferers later in life.)
• Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston found that magnet therapy helped relieve muscle pain caused by Fibromyalgia
• The New Your Medical College of Valhalla study report found relief from numbness, tingling and pain associated with this diabetes-related problem with magnet therapy.
Ancient yet Controversial Therapy
Though magnet therapy had been is use for thousands of years, it remains controversial. It is still rejected by traditional doctors, or just ignored as an alternative medicine. Cleopatra wore a magnet ring on her head to preserve her charm. Ancient text like the Vedas of India have recorded that the effects of magnetic phenomena were recognized in the earliest times. Greek physician Galen described during the second century AD how magnets were used for healing purpose.
Ancient Egyptian priests also documented the use of magnets. The 15th century Swiss physician and chemist Paracelsus hypothesized that magnets might attract diseases out of the body.
Varying Cure Theories
In Western medicine magnetic fields are used in magnetic resonance imaging. According to some theories, magnet therapies improve circulation, increase blood oxygen, decrease deposition of toxic materials in blood vessel walls (such as cholesterol plaques) or relax blood vessels through effects on cellular calcium channels.
Altered nerve impulses, reduced edema or fluid retention, increased endorphins, muscle relaxation, cell membrane effects or stimulation of acupoints, are other cure theories prescribed. However, none of these theories has been adequately assessed by scientific research.
Treating orthopedic problems
Magnet therapy has been found effective in treating orthopedic problems like cervical and lumbar spondilytis, slipped disc, lower- back pain, knee pain, sciatica, paralysis, polio and stiffness.
The north pole of a magnet, which is said to kill germs and also immobilize malignant bacteria, is effective for boils, eczema and skin rash. The south pole eradicates pain swelling with its ability to generate heat and energy.
How Magnets Relieve Pain
Celestial magnetism continuously influences the lower and higher forms of life. Natural magnetism affects our body which also acts as a magnet unit. Every cell works as a micro magnet. As a result different organs have different powers of magnetic fields, depending on their biological activities.
Geomagnetic activity
Geomagnetic activity helps harmonize the different groups of cells in the body. Fluctuation in terrestrial magnetism causes heart attacks in people. Solar magnetic field increases with acceleration in solar activity as shown by sunspots or sun storms or solar flares, bringing about violent behavior in man and animals. Geomagnetic disturbances affect the bio-magnetic potentials of all living beings, leading to increased cardiovascular diseases and neuro-psychic disorders in man.
Modern permanent magnets have stabilizing effects on human organism and help bring about harmony and equilibrium in the bio-magnetic potential in various body organs. This explains the soothing effect of magnet in mental diseases.
Relax capillary walls
Magnets relax capillary walls when held against the skin. This boosts the blood flow to the painful area. Magnets interfere with muscle contractions, thereby preventing muscle spasms. Magnets also interfere with the electrochemical reactions that take place within nerve cells, impeding their ability to transmit pain messages to the brain.
Magnets do not have any side effects.
Instant Pain Killers
• Being instant pain killers, magnet therapy is very effective in curing sciatica, osteo-arthritis, and rheumatiod arthritis
• Magneto-therapy can also work in various cases of endocrinopathies
• It helps improve memory, intelligence, concentration and understanding.
• Magneto-therapy is effective in Leucoderma, Seborrhoea, Psoriasis, graying of hair, hair-falling etc.
• Magneto-therapy is effective in obesity.
• Dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea and common disorders can be cured with magnet therapy
Two-Sided Approach for Speedy Healing
To get maximum and benefit, it is recommended that one should wear a magnetic product at the point of pain, drink magnetized water and sleep on magnets. If worn at the point of pain, rather than further away from it, magnetic fields can penetrate deeper into the painful area. The effectiveness increases ten-folds if you drink magnetic water and sleep on healing magnets. Being totally safe, chemical and drug free, drinking magnetic water will tackle your problem from inside too. This two-sided approach will speed up the healing process.
Sleeping on very high strength magnets (over 2,000 gauss per magnet) allows the magnetism to be rapidly absorbed into the tissues and blood stream. This will radically improve the blood flow, so much so that almost all the excess fluid and toxins (puffiness and swelling) in your body will be drawn away and safely excreted. The increased blood flow will provide healing nutrients to the damaged areas and speed up the healing process.
Magnetism Measurement
Magnetism is measured in gauss. A typical home use magnet measures 10 gauss and can have no healing function. Strength of medical magnets is in the 450 gauss to 10,000 gauss range. Magnets should be affixed to the skin on the affected area. If there is no relief with the first few days, it should be re-fixed over the nearest acupuncture point. Even if there is no result for another 30 days, it indicates that the magnet would not work. In this case consult your therapist or try an alternative form of medication.
Magnetic Therapy Products
Many magnetic products have been designed during the course of development of magnet therapy. Some of the common items include mattress and pillow pads to help with most disorders e.g. insomnia, muscle and joint pain and fibromyalgia.
Magnetic bracelets and necklaces are helpful for arthritis, stress, fatigue etc. Magnetic shoe insoles relieve painful bone spurs, gout and improve circulation. Magnetic wraps for back, knee and wrist are recommended for arthritic joints inflamed tendons and carpal tunnel syndrome.
By; Abhijit Banerjee.
Source; ArticlesBase.Com.