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Understanding Magnetic Theory
Biomagnetic Therapy (also known as magnetic therapy,
magnetherapy, and magnotherapy) is a 'non-traditional', or alternative
method of pain relief, as well as a holistic tool for enhancing health and
quality of life. Even though magnets use for their healing properties has
been documented by a wide variety of cultures for thousands of years,
'western' medical practitioners, particularly in the United States, have
generally not yet accepted the benefits of magnetic therapy. However, in
recent years, biomagnetic therapy has begun to gain some acceptance and
credibility among a growing number of doctors as a greater number of
successes are reported for patients treated with therapy magnets.
There are several theories about how magnetic therapy works.
The primary basis of these theories relates to the fact that the earth's
magnetic field has a significant impact on all living things and that life
itself is dependent on magnetic energy. An example of this connection was
discovered by NASA. The first astronauts to orbit earth outside of the
earth's magnetic field returned home sick and weakened. NASA scientists
discovered their illness was caused by a lack of magnetism and solved the
problem by placing magnets in spacecraft and space suits.
Due to the lack of a large number of double-blind studies,
the primary evidence for the success of magnets as healing agents is based
on personal stories of people who got positive results. These results range
from relieving minor nagging chronic pain to major changes in quality of
life. Anecdotal evidence or testimonials are not accepted as scientific
proof. However, the overwhelming positive anecdotal evidence regarding
magnetic therapy is compelling. A few recent studies have shown that seven
out of ten people who tried magnetic therapy for pain relief achieved
significant improvement within five days. There is no guarantee that medical
magnets will help any specific individual, but there are also no harmful
side-effects.
Although FDA has not evaluated claims for therapeutic
magnets, the agency has indicated that it will not object to the following
statements for magnets --
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Provides Pain-Relief |
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Improves Circulation |
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Promotes Relaxation |
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Enhances Well-Being |
FDA has temporarily allowed magnet claims to be made for
general pain-relief. It has yet to approve any static magnet for a specific
pain indication.
How do magnetic fields
affect the body?
Magnetism affects the human body through the circulatory
system, the nervous system, and the endocrine system. It is constantly
penetrating all particles, right down to the atom. Recent research indicates
that magnetism has a very significant biological effect on the human body.
Following is a list of the processes believed to take place when the body is
exposed to magnetic fields which contribute to pain relief and improved
health.
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Magnetism increases the electrical conductivity of the
blood. Weak current runs through the magnetic field and the quantity of
ions is increased - the ionized blood circulating throughout the body
improves the efficiency of blood flow, as well as stabilizing blood
pressure.
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Blood contains iron, or ferrous hemoglobin, which is a
carrier of oxygen and carbon dioxide. As blood circulates through the
lungs, fully magnetized ferrous hemoglobin is able to carry more oxygen
to cell tissue as well as take more carbon dioxide waste from cells back
to the lungs for removal.
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When tissue is exposed to a magnetic field, a secondary
current is created around the flux lines in the cells. This ionizes the
protoplasm and energies the cell tissue by activating cell metabolism.
Cell functions are strengthened as the cell metabolism responds to the
electrical currents initiated by the magnetic field. This current can
cause muscle spasms to decrease, as wel as decreasing inflammation of
tissue. The increase in the cell metabolism aids both new cell growth
and cell regeneration.
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The negative pole energy of a magnetic field interferes
with the ability of nerve cells to transmit pain impulses to the brain
where the pain is registered. When a negative magnetic field is placed
over a nerve, the positively charged ions of the nerve impulse are
attracted to the negative magnetic field, thereby impeding the flow of
the positively charged ions through the nerves to the brain.
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Magnetism may work to regulate and/or normalize hormone
secretion in the glands. A theory is that the increased electrical
current being produced by a magnet forms a 'net' around the glands and
secretory ducts. Increased concentration of oxygen stimulates production
while the 'net' optimizes secretion. Normalizing the hormone functions
within the body affects conditions caused by a hormone imbalance.
Hormones are an important factor in rejuvenation and overall energy
levels, while proper circulation ensures that hormone levels are
distributed evenly through out the body.
Magnets
& Health Research
Researchers in California, at Loma Linda University's School
of Medicine, have found, following studies in over a dozen countries with
over 1,000 patients, that "low-frequency, low-intensity magnetic energy has
been successful in treating chronic pain related to tissue ischemia, and
also worked in clearing up slow healing ulcers, and in ninety-percent of
patients tested, raised blood flow significantly".
Magnetic therapy is receiving coverage in medical journals as a treatment
for osteoarthritis. Trial studies have been performed on groups of people
where half were treated with electromagnetic fields, and the other half
received a placebo treatment. At the end of the study, the electromagnetic
treatment group indicated improvements over the placebo group in symptoms
including pain, tenderness, and the ability to perform daily activities.
Peter Gwynne reports in a recent issue of MIT's Technology Review that "Biomagnetisim
is promising to take a role in medical diagnosis, helping physicians zero in
on a spectrum of ailments ranging from brain disorders to lung disease to
liver conditions". The U.S. Federal Government has invested several million
dollars in magnetic research. Although scientists state that biomagnetisim
is still an experimental science, and not established as a diagnostic
procedure, they do agree that, unlike many other alternative medicine
techniques, biomagnetisim is non-invasive and not harmful.
Are you ready to
browse our selection of Magnetic
Bracelets?
Resources
Biomagnetic Therapy: Magnets and Health:
http://biomagnetictherapy.webwise-media.com/
National Center for Alternative & Complementary Medicine web
site link:
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/magnet/magnet.htm#scientific
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