Magnet Therapy
Corjena K. Cheung
Magnets have been used for healing purposes for centuries in many countries such as China, Egypt, Greece, and India. They are mentioned in the oldest medical text ever found, the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine in 2000 BCE, as well as in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas (Whitaker & Adderly, 1998). In Europe during the 16th century, Paracelsus, a German-Swiss physician, theorized that because magnets attract iron they might attract and “draw out” diseases from the body. German physician Franz Mesmer, who is believed to be the father of alternate medicine, claimed that a mysterious fluid, which he called “animal magnetism,” had an influence on the body’s health and that the planets influenced how animal magnetism worked (Trueman, 2000).
Magnet therapy was popular in the United States in the 18th century, where it was used for treating many ailments of the body, especially in some rural areas where few doctors were available. The introduction of antibiotics, cortisone, and other medications resulted in magnet therapy losing its allure. Since the 1940s, there has been a resurgence of interest in magnet therapy by health professionals (Whitaker & Adderly, 1998). During the 1970s, both magnets and electromagnetic machines became popular among athletes in many countries for treating sports-related injuries (New York University, 2012). Magnetic products such as magnetic mattress pads, bracelets, and necklaces became a rapidly growing industry during that time for a variety of conditions. Although both public and health care professionals were fascinated by the potential therapeutic effects of magnets, it was not until the late 20th century that reports from adequately designed clinical trials of magnets were published. Results of several preliminary studies suggested that both static magnets and
electromagnetic therapy may have therapeutic effects. These findings have accelerated research interest in magnet therapy. A recent PubMed search for magnet therapy as the keyword yielded only 2,872 articles, and yet more than 2,540,000 links with mostly commercial advertisements were generated via Google. Currently, magnet therapy is one of the most widely used forms of complementary and alternative therapies for the management of chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Magnets are often marketed for many different types of pain, including foot pain and back pain from conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM], 2012). The modern magnet therapy industry’s total sales are estimated at $500 million per year in the United States and $5 billion globally (Winemiller, Billow, Laskowski, & Harmsen, 2005).
electromagnetic therapy may have therapeutic effects. These findings have accelerated research interest in magnet therapy. A recent PubMed search for magnet therapy as the keyword yielded only 2,872 articles, and yet more than 2,540,000 links with mostly commercial advertisements were generated via Google. Currently, magnet therapy is one of the most widely used forms of complementary and alternative therapies for the management of chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Magnets are often marketed for many different types of pain, including foot pain and back pain from conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM], 2012). The modern magnet therapy industry’s total sales are estimated at $500 million per year in the United States and $5 billion globally (Winemiller, Billow, Laskowski, & Harmsen, 2005).
Today, energy healing remains a debatable subject in the scientific community. The scientific literature on magnet therapy continues to yield conflicting findings. Scientists continue to try to understand the healing power of magnets, and whether, how, and why magnets work on certain health problems.
DEFINITION
The National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) classified magnet therapy under the domain of energy therapies. Energy therapies operate on the principle that health can be influenced by the subtle realignment of a person’s “vital energy”—energy that is innate to all living beings and that, when disordered or blocked, can create disease (Kaptchuk, 1996). The term magnet comes from the legend of Greek shepherd Magnes, who about 2,500 years ago discovered mysterious iron deposits attracted to the nails of his sandals while walking in an area near Mount Ida in Turkey. These deposits, which were known to the ancients as lodestones or live-stones, are now known as magnetite (magnetic oxide, Fe3O4; Macklis, 1993). Magnet therapy involves the use of magnets of varying sizes and strengths that are placed on the body to relieve pain and treat disease (New York University, 2012).
SCIENTIFIC BASIS
The Earth’s magnetic field and the body’s bioenergetic field exist. Magnet therapy is based on the premise that all living things exist in a magnetic field (the Earth), and that the human body exists in and generates a magnetic field that has healing powers. According to Oschman (1998), each of the great systems in the body—the musculoskeletal system, the digestive
system, the circulatory system, the nervous system, the skin—is composed of connective tissues that have important roles in communication and regulation. The extracellular, cellular, and nuclear matrices throughout the body form an interconnected solid-state network called a “living matrix.” Because the main structural components are helical piezoelectric semiconductors, the living matrix generates energetic vibrations, absorbs them from the environment, and conducts a variety of energetic signals from place to place. There are many energetic systems in the living body and many ways of influencing them. The Western concept of energy is similar to the concepts Qi in traditional Chinese medicine and Prana in the Hindu system of traditional medicine (Ayurveda).
system, the circulatory system, the nervous system, the skin—is composed of connective tissues that have important roles in communication and regulation. The extracellular, cellular, and nuclear matrices throughout the body form an interconnected solid-state network called a “living matrix.” Because the main structural components are helical piezoelectric semiconductors, the living matrix generates energetic vibrations, absorbs them from the environment, and conducts a variety of energetic signals from place to place. There are many energetic systems in the living body and many ways of influencing them. The Western concept of energy is similar to the concepts Qi in traditional Chinese medicine and Prana in the Hindu system of traditional medicine (Ayurveda).
Scientists suggest that magnetic fields can influence important biological processes in the following ways: decrease the firing rate of certain neurons, particularly c-type chronic pain neurons; change the rate of enzyme-mediated reactions, which may play a role in inflammatory cascades and free radical generation; modulate intracellular signaling by affecting the functioning of calcium channels in cell membranes; and cause small changes in blood flow (Wolsko et al., 2004). Yet another theory, the Hall effect, has been suggested. The Hall effect refers to positively and negatively charged ions in the bloodstream that become activated by a magnetic field and generate heat-causing vasoconstriction and an increased blood and oxygen supply to the affected area (Whitaker & Adderly, 1998).
Evidence demonstrated that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) can affect nerve tissue and organ functions. However, for centuries, the effects of static magnets and low-frequency electromagnetic fields on biological processes have been investigated and debated. According to Frankel and Liburdy (1996), static magnets could affect charged particles in the blood, nerves, and cell membranes or subtly alter biochemical reactions. The question remains, however, whether the effect is strong enough to make a difference.
INTERVENTION
Technique
Permanent (or static) magnets are typically placed directly on the skin or inside clothing or other materials that come into close contact with the body. There are a number of permanent magnets available commercially, in various shapes and forms, for therapeutic purposes. The three most common forms of permanent magnets are plastiform magnets, neodymium magnetic discs, and ceramic magnets. Plastiform magnets are flexible, rubberized magnetic rolls that can be wrapped around an affected extremity or
lie along the full length of the spine. Neodymium magnetic discs are light-weight and can be used on the face and on various acupuncture points. Ceramic magnets can be made in any shape and size (Beattie, 2004).
lie along the full length of the spine. Neodymium magnetic discs are light-weight and can be used on the face and on various acupuncture points. Ceramic magnets can be made in any shape and size (Beattie, 2004).
A permanent magnet is either a natural or artificially made magnet that produces magnetic force by the movements of electrons in the atoms of the material that make up the magnet, such as iron or nickel. These materials can be ordered to all lie in one direction (referred to as “north” or “south”). Therefore one large magnetic field can be created where similar poles repel one another and opposing poles attract. The poles are thought to have different effects on the human body. The northern pole is considered negative magnetic energy and is suggested to calm and normalize the body; the southern pole is made up of positive magnetic energy and is believed to be responsible for disordering and overstimulating the biological system (Arizona Unipole Magnetics, 2008a, 2008b). Permanent magnets can be unipolar (one pole of the magnet faces or touches the skin) or bipolar (both poles face or touch the skin, sometimes in repeating patterns). They have magnetic fields that do not change.
Electromagnets are magnets produced by electric current passing through a cylindrical coil of wire, also known as a time-varying magnetic field. Its use is under the supervision of a health care provider. The magnetic strength is directly proportional to the strength of the electric current. When the electric current is discontinued, the wire loses its magnetism.
Pulsed electromagnetism is the process by which alternating electromagnetic fields are delivered in a time-varying manner. The PEMF is primarily used in hospitals, in clinics, and in clinical trials for pain, inflammation, and wound (tissue and bone) healing. Medicare has approved the coverage of PEMF for chronic wound treatment (Medlearn Matters, 2004).
Two other electromagnets being used in clinical settings are the magnetic molecular energizer (MME) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). MME is a treatment method that consists of the application of high direct current electromagnetic field ranges between 3,000 gauss to 5,000 gauss (explained in the Guidelines section, which follows). An MME device consists of two very large and strong electromagnets, with the patient lying in a focal point between the two electromagnets. It acts as a catalyst to improve chemical reactions occurring in the human body. This form of magnet therapy is used for neurological and neuromuscular ailments such as spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke impairment, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, congestive heart failure, and orthopedic conditions involving bone and joint repair (Advanced Magnetic Research Institute, 2005).
TMS delivers electrical stimulation to neural tissue, including cerebral cortex, spinal roots, and cranial and peripheral nerves. It can be applied as single or repetitive pulses of stimulation at various frequencies. Single stimuli can depolarize neurons and evoke measurable effects. Trains of stimuli (repetitive TMS) can modify excitability of the cerebral cortex at
the stimulated site and also at remote areas along functional anatomical connections. TMS is primarily used as a treatment option for depression. Performed by a psychiatrist, the noninvasive procedure involves the use of a large electromagnetic coil placed directly against the brain’s motor cortex creating electric currents that stimulate nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in mood control and depression. The treatment typically involves five 40-minute treatments each week for up to 6 weeks (Mayo Clinic, 2012). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved TMS treatment for depression, and it is now being explored for treating migraines. The rTMS is also available for depression treatment in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and the European Union.
the stimulated site and also at remote areas along functional anatomical connections. TMS is primarily used as a treatment option for depression. Performed by a psychiatrist, the noninvasive procedure involves the use of a large electromagnetic coil placed directly against the brain’s motor cortex creating electric currents that stimulate nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in mood control and depression. The treatment typically involves five 40-minute treatments each week for up to 6 weeks (Mayo Clinic, 2012). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved TMS treatment for depression, and it is now being explored for treating migraines. The rTMS is also available for depression treatment in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and the European Union.
Guidelines
Generally, it is safe to apply permanent magnets for a long period of time. The time of application largely depends on the type and nature of the disease, the age of the individual, and the strength of the magnet. The strength of a magnet is measured in units referred to as gauss (G), or alternatively, units called tesla (T; 1T = 10,000 G), which represents “the number of lines of magnetic force passing through an area of 1 square centimeter” (Whitaker & Adderly, 1998, p. 15). Currently, the Earth’s magnetic field is estimated to be about 0.5 G, whereas a refrigerator magnet ranges from 35 G to 200 G. Magnets used for pain intervention usually measure from 300 G to 5,000 G; and MRI machines used to diagnose medical conditions produce up to 200,000 G. Manufacturers are not required to mark the strength of magnets on their products, so the G of a magnet must be checked against the weight a magnet can lift, with 1 kg equivalent to approximately 600 G (Whitaker & Adderly, 1998).
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