The Purpose Of Magnetic Healing

Magnetic therapy has been in use as a method of healing for thousands of years in countries, such as Russia, China, Europe, Egypt, India and Greece. In the United States, this type of therapy is open to much debate. According to a research paper written by Gary Null, PH.D., magnet therapy research is conducted in two distinctive areas. These two areas of study are fixed magnetic therapy and pulsed bioelectric magnetic therapy. The majority of the scientific literature that is available on magnetic healing is related to pulsed bioelectric biomagnetic therapy.

History

The first documented traces of using magnets as a treatment for illnesses was during the fourth century, when Hippocrates practiced medicine in Greece. In an attempt to prevent the effects of aging, it is believed that Cleopatra slept with a magnetic stone resting on her forehead. Paracelsus, a physician from Sweden, believed that magnets could help the healing process by energizing the life force in the body. The 18th century doctor Franz Anton Mesmer stated that the body consisted of magnetic poles that, if they were to come out of alignment, could lead to illness. He also believed that his patients could be healed by his touch alone.

How It Works

Magnetic healing uses the polarities of the Earth for the different types of healing. These magnetic poles are not located in the same places as the actual geographic poles. Magnetic poles are either receptive or active. The receptive poles are negative and are uses to relieve pain or reduce swelling. The active poles are positive and are used to energize the body pr stimulate the immune system. The magnets allow blood to flow more freely to the areas they are applied to by expanding the blood vessels. The increased blood helps to speed up the healing process.

Theories/Speculation

There are a number of theories that pertain to the effect that magnets have on the body. Practitioners of alternative medicine believe that treating the body with magnets can increase the oxygen in the blood, relax muscles, make bodily fluids more alkaline, increase endorphins, improve circulation, alter nerve impulses and lessen plaque formation that is caused by high cholesterol.

The Future of Magnetic Therapy

Since there is not typically funding available for alternative medicine, the majority of scientists and doctors will not perform research on magnetic therapy. Magnetic therapy research is performed by the National Institutes of Health. Its research has been promising and includes studies on osteoarthritis of the knee, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and lower back pain. Magnets are generally very safe to use. For healing, the strength of the magnet should be between 100 and 500 gauss, according to Dr. Gary Null.

Considerations

Before using any type of magnet therapy, you should contact your doctor. Magnetic healing devices should not be used if you are currently pregnant or are nursing a baby. If you have any open wounds or use an insulin pump or pacemaker, magnetic therapy should never be used. Finally, you should never use or store any magnetic healing devices near credit cards or computer hard drives as the magnetic information will be permanently erased.