Magnetic Therapy
One technology that is used to treat imbalances has to do with the electromagnetic fields that are represented in Kirlian Photography. Pulsed electromagnetic fields—which induce measurable electric fields—have been demonstrated to be effective for treating slow-healing fractures and have shown promise for a number of other conditions. This has opened up a huge effort to market a wide variety of magnetic products to assist with the healing process. A whole range of products is available for what is referred to as “magnetic therapy.” Small spot magnets can be used at the point of pain on the body. There are wraps, belts and pads, which are held on the body in some fashion. In addition, there are mattress pads that claim to balance the body’s energies while one sleeps. Various types of jewelry incorporate magnets into their design, including a wide variety of bracelets and necklaces. Many magnetic necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are formed from silver and gold-rich magnetic alloys and are promoted as both fashionable and therapeutic. One catalog claims that magnetic earrings "stimulate nerve endings that are associated with head and neck pain," and magnetic bracelets "act upon the body's energy field" and "correct energy imbalances brought by electro-magnetic contamination or atmospheric changes."
Some suppliers of magnetic products recommend applying magnetic patches directly to your aches and pains, while others recommend applying small Band-Aid-like patches to acupuncture points. Magnetic belts containing sixteen or more magnets are purported to ease back pain, and similar magnetic wraps are offered for almost any part of the body, including hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet (magnetic insoles are particularly popular). For headaches you can wear magnetic headbands, magnetic earrings, or magnetic necklaces. Larger items include magnetic seat cushions, magnetic pillows, and magnetic mattress pads, the last claiming to produce an "energizing sleep field." One supplier offers a PCD—Prostate Comfort Device for older men. It works, the claim goes, if properly placed while watching television or driving a car. The presumed result is that one will no longer have to get out of bed several times a night to relieve oneself!
Despite broad evidence that magnetic fields affect the body, there are questions and serious challenges to the whole idea of using magnets in a healing context. One company marketing magnetic necklaces provides simple instructions: the necklace should be put on as soon as the headache appears and removed as soon as it goes away. Since most headaches come and go, following these instructions precisely will clearly produce persuasive evidence of the necklace's efficacy. In fact, few studies have been done to validate the claims associated with magnetic healing products. The use of magnets and magnetic therapies are not considered patentable, which means companies and agencies are not likely to gain large profits from their promotion and use.
The broadest explanation of the use of magnets in treating physical ailments was presented by Dr. Kyochi Nakagawa of Japan. Dr. Nakagawa claims that many of our modern ills result from "Magnetic Field Deficiency Syndrome." The earth's magnetic field is known to have decreased about 6 percent since 1830, and indirect evidence suggests that it may have decreased as much as 30 percent over the last millennium. He argues that magnetic therapy simply provides some of the magnetic field that the earth has lost.
Magnetic therapy is also prominent in the treatment of thoroughbred racehorses. The incentive to try "alternative medicine" to supplement mainstream veterinary treatment is considerable; an injured racehorse represents potential loss of a substantial investment. Magnetic pads, magnetic blankets, magnetic hoof pads, and more are used for a variety of leg problems. All get ringing endorsements from many horse trainers, and even some veterinarians. One marketer of magnetic products for humans reports that he first became convinced of their effectiveness when he used them on his llama. Some argue that the placebo effect might be taking place in these circumstances, but the psychological aspects of the healing treatments are obviously not happening with the animal. However, magnet therapy enthusiasts forget that it may influence the human who is interpreting the effect of magnetic therapy on the animal.
Clinical studies report between 75-85% of patients experience relief using magnetic therapy. Whether or not the placebo effect is taking place is always part of the debate. One point of contention in the argument is that the magnetic back braces used by many senior golfers may help ease their back pains through providing mechanical support, through localized warming, and through constant reminder to the aging athletes that they are no longer young and should not overexert their muscles. All these effects are helpful with or without magnets. One British study of pulsed-field bone-growth stimulators, which were approved decades ago by the FDA, found that they were equally successful when the devices were not activated (Barker 1984). It concluded that their effectiveness resulted from the enforced inactivity associated with their use rather than from the pulsed magnetic fields. The logical conclusion is that with circulation increased, the body’s natural healing mechanism can work more efficiently. Some doctors believe that the magnetic field affects the iron component of blood, hemoglobin, thereby increasing circulation to the area where magnets are applied. Another theory is that the magnetic field energizes and oxygenates the white corpuscles in the blood stream, and these white corpuscles are nature’s healing agents. In this regard, the charged ions increase the blood flow, which provides increased oxygenation to the blood. This increased oxygenation is the prevalent factor to enhancing your body's natural healing powers, and the results are less pain, decreased inflammation, and the possibility of increased energy levels. Other specialists believe that, since nervous signals travel via tiny electromagnetic charges, an electromagnetic field may actually tune out "false" signals. The actual pain relief mechanism of magnetic energy may never be truly understood, since it operates within the tissues at such a microscopic level. What is clear, however, is that belief is necessary for effective healing.