MAGNETIC THERAPY
Many orthopedic Journals have documented the effectiveness of magnet therapy in strengthening and healing of fractured bones. Ronald Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D, clinical professor at UCLA School Of Medicine and president of the American Association for the Study Of Pain, conducted a great deal of research on medical uses for magnets, and co-authored the book “Magnet Therapy, The Pain Cure Alternative”. In the book he states, “That the effective rate of pain relief is about 85 percent”. He also states, “Magnets are completely free of side effects”.
To understand the mechanism of how magnets affect the body and how in particular they will affect a painful area, we should understand how they work. Magnets come in different strengths. The strength will be referred to as “Gauss”. In other words the magnet may be 500 gauss to 3000 gauss. Some manufacturers may tout that their magnets are higher in gauss than others, but the fact remains that a 500 gauss magnet will get the same fine results (just a question of quality versus quantity). How then do the magnets affect pain?
To simplify an explanation, like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Lines of force are three dimensional, surrounding a bar magnet on all sides. When opposite poles of a magnet are brought together, the lines of force join up and the magnets pull together. When like poles of a magnet are brought together, the lines of force push away from each other. All magnets possess a BIONORTH magnet (south seeking) is negative (counterclock spin) and a BIOSOUTH magnet (north seeking is positive (clockwise spin)*. Many believe that each pole will have a specific effect on the cells, and believe that the “north pole” (positive) increases oxygenation of the cells, and the “south pole” (negative), increases circulation.
Our bloodstreams contain positively and negatively charged ions. By applying the magnets to the painful areas, changes take place in the chemistry of the blood by affecting the ions. This causes vasodilatation thus increasing the blood flow. This combination of bringing fresh blood and oxygen to the painful area, induces the reduction in edema, eliminating toxins, and starts the healing process, and eases pain. When the ions are deflected against the walls of the blood vessels (the “Hall Effect”), heat is produced (the Lorenz Effect”). This heat effect increases the blood supply to the area where the magnet was placed. The increase of the fresh blood brings an increase of oxygen and healing nutrients and will reduce the toxins caused by the injury to the area. This physiological effect by the “Magnetic energy reduces the sensations in the areas of pain receptors that send messages to the brain.
In Europe and many Asian countries, the use of magnetic therapy has been used extensively and very effectively for a great many years. Its use in the United States has been expanding only during the past several years. The reason for this increase in use can only be attributed to the fact that magnet therapy is a safe, effective and an inexpensive alternative to drug therapy, without the severe side effects that drug therapy can cause.
The scientific community is divided in their opinions as to the benefits of “Magnetic Therapy”. Some scientists feel the results are inconclusive, while others have opposing opinions. However, due to “anecdotal testimonials’ from the great number of people that have been helped by the therapy, has caused more and more healthcare professionals to use magnets in their quest for trying to alleviate pain for their patients. In cases where drug therapy did not relieve the patient from their intractable pain, the magnets were tried as a last resort.
It was only, when in these cases the results were so undeniable with the relief obtained, that more and more healthcare professionals have resorted to their use. They came to realize that benefits of magnet therapy were many. These befits are:
1. Reduces swelling by reducing intracellular activity.
2. Increases blood as well as lymphatic circulation.
3. Relieves pain, thus restoring joint mobility.
4. Restores the pH balance by promoting an alkaline reaction in the cells.
5. Improves sleep by giving you a more restful nights sleep.
6. Better patient compliance when they see results that are free from side
effects caused by some anti-inflammatory drugs.
When there is a possibility of such results being obtained, the individual who has been suffering with pain would be undeniably remiss in foregoing this safe alternative magnetic therapy. This can be, “a nothing ventured, nothing gained” situation for them.
*Reference
Davis & Rawls or Peter Kulish