Magnetic Therapy -- Theory And Practice

Magnetic therapy is an increasingly popular method of alternative treatment for common ailments and infections such as pain, arthritis, inflammation, migraines, muscle tension, asthma, tumors, diabetes, allergies, and many other joint or healing complaints. There is a lot of controversy as to whether or not magnetic therapy really works. Although there is no scientific evidence to prove the effectiveness of magnetic therapy, magnets have been used to treat medical ailments for thousands of years. Do magnets really have healing properties, or is it just mind over matter? Many people swear by the healing power of magnets, so it depends on whom you ask.

There are many over-the-counter and prescription pain relieving drugs available. However, magnetic therapy has no risky side effects.

The Attraction

Found in ancient Chinese medical texts and Hindu religious documents, magnetic therapy was also used by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to treat a variety of ailments from arthritis to depression. Millions of people in today's world are turning to magnetic therapy to treat a wide range of medical conditions. From your average person to many professional athletes, the belief in the effectiveness of magnetic therapy is astronomical.

The most popular form of magnets is jewelry. These bracelets are sold through commercials, infomercials, and now through the Internet, priced anywhere from $5 to $800. They come in assorted sizes, shapes and styles and contain an internal iron which houses the magnet.

How It Works

The common belief is that magnets improve the content of oxygen in the blood stream. It's also believed that a form of stabilization develops in the nervous system to ease pain or discomfort.

The capillary walls relax when magnets are held against the skin, resulting in an increased flow of blood to the painful area. Magnets are also used to prevent muscle spasms at the base of pain by interupting muscle contractions and by interfering with electrochemical reactions within the nerve cells, to impede the ability to transmit messages of pain to the brain.

Research

Many alternative practitioners believe that magnets really do have healing power. Latest research indicates that magnetic therapy tends to confirm that.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas performed a controlled study by using real and fake magnets on patients who suffered leg pain from post-polio syndrome. 76% of the patients who were treated with the real magnet felt relief from the pain, while only 18% of those treated with the fake magnet felt relief.

It has been shown by other researchers that magnets have helped to relieve pain in patients suffering from Fibromyalgia. This study had patients sleep on either magnetic or ordinary mattresses. The patients who slept on the magnetic mattresses experienced an exceptional pain relief over those who slept on the ordinary mattresses.

In Diabetic neuropathy, research has concluded using magnetic footpads to treat diabetes-related complaints was successful. Nearly 80% of patients claimed that the use of magnets greatly relieved the pain, tingling and numbness in their feet.

In The Beginning

Begin your magnetic therapy with an earth metal neodymium-boron coin shaped magnet, which works great yet costs less than other magnets on the market. All magnetism is measured in gauss. The higher the magnetic gauss, the greater the pain relief. Medical magnets can range from 400 to 10,000 gauss. The ordinary refrigerator magnet is around 10 gauss, too weak to effectively penetrate the skin and relieve anything other than a minor bruise.

Placed over the afflicted area, the magnet can be secured with bandages or tape. If the magnet does not provide relief within a few days, try repositioning it. If it fails to work after 3-4 weeks of wear, then you can safely assume that it has failed. You might switch to another magnet type or use one with a higher gauss.

If these don't work, consult with your doctor regarding conventional methods.