Magnetic Therapy Research
Although has been used for healing for thousands of years in China, Egypt, Greece, and India and more recently in Europe and Russia, it remains a controversial topic in the United States.
Alternative health expert and author Gary Null, Ph.D., wrote about magnetic therapy in his research paper "Biomagnetic Healing":
"Research into magnet therapy is divided into two distinct areas: pulsed bioelectric magnetic therapy and fixed magnetic therapy. Probably 85 to 90 percent of the scientific literature is on pulsed bioelectric biomagnetic therapy; the remainder is on therapy with fixed solid magnets."
Background
Magnetic healing uses the Earth's polarities for different types of healing. However, the magnetic poles are not in the same place as the geographic poles are. Magnetic poles are either negative (receptive), reducing swelling and relieving pain or positive (active) stimulating the immune system and energizing the body.
Magnets work by expanding the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the area, facilitating and speeding up healing. Other ways magnets work are still being studied.
Fixed Magnetics
Fixed magnetic therapy refers to magnetic bracelets, pads, seat cushions, mattresses, shoe inserts, back wraps and more. It continues to be very popular, especially in sports therapy.
Professors Leonard Finegold and Bruce Flamm said magnet wearers may feel better for other reasons, such as "a tiny drag when the bracelets were near ferromagnetic surfaces."
Dr. Carlos Vallbona, at Baylor College of Medicine, was a skeptic regarding magnetic therapy. However, he found that small, low-intensity magnets worked after he used them for his knee pain. He conducted his own research, receiving free active and placebo magnets from Magnaflex, Inc. Those using the active magnets had a significant drop in pain compared to those using the fake magnets.
Pulsed Bioelectric Magnetics
Pulsed bioelectric magnetics research has been successfully used for chronic conditions in the United States. Healing is brought to the cellular level, and the body's natural polarities are restored.
For example, neurobiologist Alvaro Pascual-Leone, M.D., Ph.D., at Harvard Medical School successfully used bioelectric magnetics on severely depressed patients. There were no side effects and most showed marked improvement.
Pulsed bioelectric magnetics are usually used along with another treatment, such as acupuncture. Dr. Null wrote that magnetism is a highly respected science in Russia, where they have hundreds of studies on fixed and pulsed magnetic therapy.
Outlook
Most doctors and scientists in the United States will not conduct research, such as magnetic therapy, if there is no funding.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has created an office of alternative medicine for magnetic therapy research, called the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
Promising research by NCCAM so far has included work on carpal tunnel syndrome, low-back pain, fibromyalgia and knee osteoarthritis.
With very few exceptions, magnets are safe to use. Dr. Null says the strength should generally be between 100 and 500 gauss for healing. He also says, "use magnets on yourself as if you were performing a single controlled study. Listen to what your body tells you... Remember, your own experience is valid."
Tips and Warnings
Do not use a magnetic healing device if you are pregnant or nursing.
Consult with your doctor before using any magnets if you have a serious medical problem.
Never use if you have a pacemaker, an insulin pump or on open wounds.
Keep magnetic healing devices away from computer hard drives and credit cards. Information will be erased.
Tags: magnetic therapy, magnetic therapy, United States, bioelectric magnetics, magnetic healing, magnetic therapy