So, How Does Magnetic Therapy Work?
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein
So you ask, how does magnetic therapy work? This page discusses all the scientific data that exists out there. For the curious science nerds, this page is for you.
There are many theories out there concerning how magnets work to relieve pain but no one really knows for sure. Magnetic therapy has been around for centuries.
It is believed that Queen Cleopatra wore a lodestone on her forehead while she slept to prevent aging. It was known to have been used by healers in China, India, and Egypt to treat a variety of conditions.
One theory suggest that iron in our blood is affected by the magnets, another theory states that magnets stimulate the brain and affects the pineal gland.
Another possible theory is that ionization occurs in the blood after it passes through a magnetic field. The Schumann Resonance may have something to do with human responding positively to magnetic field therapy.
However, one thing we know for sure is that magnetics do increase blood flow and reduces swelling in rats.
The implications for humans are significant. This is important because swelling occurs immediately after an injury. If you can minimize swelling yet increase blood flow, the area can heal faster.
Blood transport nutrients, white blood cells (your immune system), and waste products. When more blood flows into an injured area, the job gets done faster.
The latest research in January 2008 revealed that static magnetic fields applied to injured areas promotes increase blood flow to the affected area.
The research was lead by Professor Thomas Skalak, Ph.D. He is the professor and chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia. Skalak's team studies blood flow through the body's tiniest blood vessels called Microcirculation. Skalak studies backs up claims already known by many magnetic therapy users.
SCHUMANN RESONANCE and How does magnetic therapy work
What is the Schumann Resonance and how is it important in understanding how does magnetic therapy work?
The Schumann Resonance are atmospheric resonances with a base frequency of 7.83 Hertz (cycles). Think of the Northern Lights which are caused by the Schumann resonance.
The Schumann Resonance is interesting because it began to show up in many AVS (Auditory/Visual Stimulation) machines to help protects your body from the Earth's Magnetic Field. The Schumann Resonance is said to help people feel better and have a greater sense of well-being.
EFFECTS OF MAGNETICS ON THE BRAIN
How does magnetic therapy work on the pineal gland? The Pineal gland is a small gland in the brain that produces melatonin, serotonin, and other enzymes.
The pineal gland affects many pain conditions including but not limited to migraines. The theory says that by introducing a magnetic field to the pineal gland the magnetic field stimulates the gland to produce or inhibit melatonin, serotonin, and various important enzymes in pain management.
Research has proven that the pineal gland is strongly affected by Electromagnetism. Although electromagnetism affects the pineal gland, researchers do not know if permanent magnets do the same as another study showed that a magnetic field strength of 810 gauss did not have an effect on rats in their cages.
However, another study showed that permanent magnets greatly suppressed synovitis in rats. The magnets used in this study had a magnetic field of 3,800 gauss.
MAGNETS INHIBITS CHOLINESTERASE
This theory holds that magnetic therapy (using permanent magnets) prevents the buildup of cholinesterase, an enzyme in nerve endings that tends to inactivate acetylcholine-a chemical essential to pain control.
The theory was tested at the University of Tokyo using guinea pigs for subjects. The researchers used permanent magnets and acupuncture needles on the pigs and compared their effects.
Because animals can not speak they measured pain according to their twitch response. To some varying degrees, all the techniques reduced pain (the pain that was indicated by twitch height, remember the animals can't complain about pain).
In reviewing the effect of magnets on injured muscles, the researchers then injected the animals with a chemical that inhibits cholinesterase and found that the results was exactly the same as using permanent magnets.
This could be mere coincidence but case studies show magnets work, we just don't really know how.
IONIZATION and How does magnetic therapy work
Remember in chemistry when you learned about ionization. According to Wikipedia, Ionization is physical process of converting an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing charged particles such as electrons or other ions.
This theory states that ionization could be responsible for the therapeutic effects of magnets.
As you can see there are plenty of different theories out there. Magnetic therapy have helped many people who suffer from arthritis, fibromyalgia, and recover faster from injuries. Magnetic therapy has reduced my pain.
Knowing how does magnetic therapy work matter because we can develop better technology to fine tune the magnetic products that are already out there to help improve living.
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