The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) suggests that magnets have been used over a century for alleviating pain and have been particularly useful in helping patients with osteo-arthritic pain. Magnets may utilize the cell's magnetic field by affecting nerve cell functions. This in turn may block pain signals to the brain.
History
Magnets have been used since the third century AD in ancient Greece, when doctors recommended them for pain and even for cleaning wounds. The degree of use and the level of sophistication of magnetic rings and devices have continuously evolved since then. Magnetic therapy became famous after World War II when there was an increase in the number of healers who considered it a revolutionary technology to heal pain without any side effects.
Effectiveness
Numerous studies on the effectiveness of magnetic therapy have been done. However, there is no scientific evidence that supports magnetic therapy. Though some positive results have been found when testing on small groups, rigorous tests to determine the healing power of magnets have been futile. However, it has shown promising results for patients with chronic back pain and osteoarthritis.
How It Works
How magnets alleviate pain has been a debatable subject since no concrete results have been found. However, medical researchers and physicians have speculated that they affect the magnetic field of a cell and inhibit nerve cells from sending pain signals to the brain. In addition to this, it has also been suggested that magnetic therapy increases blood flow to the affected area, thereby increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients as well.
Uses
Magnetic therapy is being used in small doses to treat depression through transcranial magnetic stimulation, where electromagnetic pulses are sent to the brain. It is reported that magnetic therapy helps people to feel positive about their surroundings. Of course, the most common use of this therapy is for healing pain, for which it has been used for a long time. Either in the form of electromagnetic pulses or over-the-counter magnetic rings, magnetic therapy has become a part of alternative healing.
Side Effects
Because the patient is not ingesting any medicine, magnetic therapy does not have any documented side effects. However, transcranial magnetic stimulation may increase the risk of seizures in patients suffering from depression. Additionally, patients using pacemakers and defibrillators are strongly advised against using magnetic therapy, since it could impair the device. Magnetic therapy should be used strictly as an alternative treatment and not in place of medicines or treatments recommended by your doctor.
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