The Attraction of Magnetic Therapy

Medicine Naturals :: The Attraction of Magnetic Therapy ::

Magnetic therapy has become an increasingly popular method of alternative treatments for common ailments and other afflictions. The most commonly treated ailments for which magnetic therapy is used for are arthritis, pain, inflammation, muscle tension, migraines, tumors, asthma, allergies, diabetes and many other joints or healing complaints. Some researchers indicate that magnetic therapy really does work while other scientists believe otherwise. Although magnets have been used to treat medical ailments for thousands of years, there is no scientific evidence to prove the effectiveness of magnetic therapy. However, there are numerous testimonials from people who will swear by the healing power of magnets. Could it be mind over matter, or do magnets actually have healing properties? It depends on who you ask. But whether it is mind over matter or not, what really matters, disproving scientific evidence or a positive personal experience?

Magnetic therapy has been found in ancient Chinese medical texts and even in some Hindu religious documents. The Egyptians, Romans and Greeks have also used magnetic therapy to treat a variety of ailments from arthritis to depression. In today’s world millions of people 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. Magnets are being sold in many forms, the most popular being the magnetic jewelry like bracelets sold through commercials, infomercials and now through the internet and can range from $5 to $800 in price. Magnetic jewelry may come in assorted sizes, shapes and styles containing an internal iron within the magnet that is assumed to arouse the production in the blood stream that controls the content of oxygen. It’s also believed that a form of stabilization develops in the nervous system to ease pain or discomfort.

Many alternative practitioners believe that magnets really do have healing power and state that the latest research indicates that magnetic therapy really does work. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas performed a controlled study by using real magnets and fake magnets on patients who suffered leg pain from post-polio syndrome. In this study, 76% of the patients who were treated with the real magnet felt relief from the pain, whereas 18% of the patients treated with the fake magnet felt pain relief. Other researchers have shown that magnets have helped to relieve pain in patients suffering from Fibromyalgia. This study had patients sleep on magnetic mattresses and patients who slept on ordinary mattresses. The patients who slept on the magnetic mattresses experienced an exceptional pain relief than those who slept on the ordinary mattresses. In Diabetic neuropathy, research concluded the effectiveness of using magnetic foot pads to treat diabetes related complaints such as tingling; pain and numbness in the foot have also been successfully treated by using magnetic foot pads. Nearly 80% of patients suffering from this diabetes related complaints claimed the use of magnets greatly relieved the pain, tingling and numbness.

When magnets are held against the skin, the capillary walls relax, in such a way as to increase the flow of blood to the painful area. Magnets are also used to prevent muscle spasms at the base of pain by intervening with muscle contractions and by interfering with electrochemical reactions within the nerve cells, to impede the ability to transmit messages of pain to the brain. There are many prescriptions and over the counter pain relieving drugs available, the attraction of magnetic therapy is that it has no risky side effects.

If you’re just starting off, it may be best to begin with an earth metal neodymium-boron coin shaped magnet. These magnets work great and cost less than other magnets on the market. All magnetism is measured in gauss. The higher the magnetic gauss, the greater the pain relief is. The ordinary refrigerator magnet is around ten gauss, making it too weak to effectively penetrate the skin and relieve anything other than a minor bruise. Medical magnets can range from 400 to just over 10,000 gauss.

The magnet is placed over the afflicted area and can be secured with adhesive bandages or tape. If the magnetic does not provide any relief over the next few days, try repositioning it. If the repositioning fails to work after three to four weeks, then you can safely assume that magnetic therapy is not going to work for you. You can try to switch to another magnet or one with a higher gauss, or you can consult with your doctor about other conventional methods.