HOW MAGNETS WORK

The below article was written by Dr. Mark Atkinson MBBs BsC (HONS) FRIPHH FCMA. Mark is a medical doctor, practitioner of integrated medicine and Vice President of the Complementary Medical Association. He specialises in the integrated treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis and chronic fatigue by providing his clients with safe, effective and scientifically validated strategies designed to support the body’s natural healing process.

Magnet Therapy represents one of the cheapest and most widely available forms of energy therapy.

One of the problems that face professionals and companies who are involved in marketing and researching magnetic therapy is that the scientific evidence to date has generally been of fairly poor quality and often contradictory in its findings. 

In order to portray magnet therapy as a credible and effective therapeutic approach we need to:  Magnetic therapy is not:

• A miracle or magic bullet
• The answer to every illness & condition
• To be used by persons who are pregnant, wearing pacemakers, defibrillators, insulin pumps or other electro-insulin devices should not use magnetic therapy.
• To be used when a diagnosis has not been established
• To replace certain medications needed for infections, diabetes or heart disease for example.

Magnetic therapy is:

• Safe, with no side effects.
• The World Health Organisation published a study in 1987 that essentially laid to rest the notion that magnets in the strengths commonly used for therapeutic uses have any detrimental effect on the human body.
• Popular -Used by an estimated 35 million customers in 22 countries use magnet therapy products, this equates to 1 in 7 Japanese, 1 in 200 American and 1 in 10,000 European households.
• Growing – The fastest growing market is Europe, with the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden providing the top 3 growing markets (Nikken UK Ltd)
• Affordable – Most static magnet therapy products retail for £9.00 to £40.00.
• Non-Invasive – Magnets are applied either directly to the skin or near to the skin in a neoprene or similar wrap.
• Anecdotally effective –  There are thousands of testimonials available from patients who have used magnet therapy to treat a wide range of conditions.
• Used and recommended by professionals. Doctors, nurses, complementary health practitioners.
• Used and recommended by the general public.
• Used and recommended by sports personalities. Many senior pro golfers use and endorse magnet therapy to treat sports related conditions.
• Recorded in the history of most civilisations. The first usage is noted in Chinese writings (approx 2000 B.C.) on the usage of magnetism with acupuncture. Ancient Hindu, Egyptian, Persian and Tibetan writings refer to the use of a lodestone. Cleopatra is said to have worn a lodestone on her forehead to forestall aging.
• Used by pioneering physicians such as Paracelsus. The idea that magnetic therapy could be used to treat disease began in the early 16^th century with the Swiss physician, philosopher, and alchemist Paracelsus, who used magnets to treat epilepsy, diarrhoea and haemorrhage. Charles Mackay, in Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds (1841), says of Paracelsus that “his claim to be the first of the magnetisers can scarcely be challenged”.

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Properties of Magnets 

• Magnetic poles are always found in pairs. No matter how many times a magnet is cut there is always a North (-) pole, and a South (+) pole.
• The two poles are attracted to their opposites (North to South, South to North).
• Gauss refers to the designated strength of a magnetic field of energy. Surface gauss depends on thickness and size of the magnet. The Earth’s natural surface gauss is approximately 0.5 gauss. Gauss strength diminishes the further the distance from the magnetic field.
• Rare earth magnets such as neodymium-Iron-Boron have permanent magnetic capabilities are far more advanced than rubber and plastic magnets. Their characteristics and properties are stronger and very distinctive.
• With its permanence, high energy and depth of penetration, Neodymium leads the field of magnetism in pain therapy. Due to its power, Neodymium permits a much small and more manageable magnet to be applied to the parts of the body requiring magnetic energy.
• Ferrite-ceramic magnets tend to diffuse the magnetic energy they emit, they are of value in mattress pads and throws. 

Research projects:

Although medical doctors and researchers remain sceptical as to the effectiveness of magnetic therapy, recent research studies from major universities and medical colleges have shown the benefits of static magnets fields in relieving pain. The Office of Alternative Medicine of the National Institute of Health, Washington, D.C., awarded a million dollar grant in 1997 for the study of what has been, until now, largely an Eastern and European phenomenon. Medical use of magnets is a reimbursable medical expense in over 50 countries worldwide. Baylor College of Medicine. Dr Carlow Valbona in 1997 published a double-blind randomised controlled study of 50 patients who suffered from muscular or arthritis joint pain. 76% of the patients that were treated using permanent magnets, reported a significant decrease in arthritic joint and muscle pain vs. only 19% of placebo patients. New York Medical College Dr Michael Weintraub, a clinical professor or neurology at New York Medical College, released a study in 1999 that showed he had significantly reduced the foot pain that afflicts millions of diabetics. Using magnetic insoles, nine out of ten diabetics reported a decrease in painful burning sensations, numbness and tingling vs. only a 22% improvement in the placebo group. Vanderbilt University Medical Centre found that between 80-90% of patients with pain related to sports injuries and accidents found relief after magnet treatments.

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How magnets work – Theory

There is still much research and debate about how magnets work. Different theories have been cited by different manufacturers but none have proven conclusive. Conventional theories on how static magnets work include:

• There is a consensus that increased blood flow to the area influenced by the magnetic field is one of the primary results of magnetic treatment. This has been observed in both thermographic and nuclear medicine studies as reported in professional journals.
• The movement of magnetic fields through muscles and joints or other tissue has been found to trigger incremental capillary blood flow. This is turn flushes toxins and inflammatory agents out of the tissue. There is evidence of a pain blocking mechanism in nerve fibres when subjected to magnetic fields.
• When a magnet is applied to the body muscles lengthen and relax, magnetic waves pass through the tissue and secondary currents are induced. When those currents clash with magnetic waves they produce impacting heat on the electrons in the body cells. These impacting heats are very effective in the reduction of muscle swelling and pain.
• The is also significant evidence of a pain blocking mechanism in nerve fibers themselves when subjected to magnetic fields.
• When a magnet is applied to the body muscles lengthen and relax, magnetic waves pass through the tissue and secondary currents are induced. When those currents clash with magnetic waves they produce impacting heat on the electrons in the body cells. These impacting heats are very effective in the reduction of muscle swelling and pain.
• There is also significant evidence of a pain blocking mechanism in nerver fibers themselves when subjected to magnetic fields. Researchers have been able to shift the resting potential (therby raising the required stimulus to pain) of nerve cells in the laboratory by 25% using the NORSO Dynamag technology.
• They can affect nerve signals. High strength magnets can cause anaesthesia, through a principle in physics called the Hall effect. Dr Robert Becker (author of Body Electric) put salamanders to sleep before surgery with electromagnetics more safely than anaesthetics.