Magnetic Therapy

A natural method used to relieve pain, restore energy and enhance sleep. It has proven to be a safe, effective, economical, and simple to use form of alternative therapy. Magnetic therapy is thousands of years old yet holds great promise for the future. Magnets have been scientifically proven to enable the body to regain its self-healing electromagnetic balance naturally. Strong evidence suggests that magnetic therapy may help to: Relieve Pain, Reduce inflammation restore natural energy, increase blood circulation, prevent or reverse infection, promote metabolic processing of toxins and support the healing process. Magnetic therapy is a non-invasive treatment method with a very high success rate and has much to offer in both prevention and treatment of chronic ailments.

A Brief History of Magnetic Therapy

 The association between magnets, health and well-being is currently enjoying a revival, but the approach is not new. Magnetic therapy possesses an ancient heritage and has occupied a central role in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. Magnetic therapy is mentioned in some of the earliest writings in Egypt, India and Greece. Until recently the scientific explanation of magnetic action was not available. Magnetic therapy utilizes the natural energy of magnetism that is important to human existence and overall health. A magnetic field provides a (natural) way to assist the body’s normal healing processes as it passes through all tissues and cells. Studies show that magnets can be an effective therapy for the relief of pain by blocking pain sensations. Applying magnetic fields to an injured area improves blood flow and oxygen to enhance the body’s natural healing process. The improved blood flow and fluid exchange to the injured tissue helps reduce pain and inflammation.

Clinical Trials completed in the USA.

Arthritic Pain: In 1997, Dr. Carlos Valbona of the Baylor College of Medicine, published a study that reported 76% of treated patients using permanent magnets reported a decrease in arthritic joint and muscle pain compared to 19% of placebo patients.

Diabetic Foot Pain: Dr. Michael Weintraub of New York Medical College released a study that showed a significant rate of reduction in 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 compared to 22% reporting improvement in the placebo group.

Fibromyalgia: Magnetic Mattress Pad Use in Patients with Fibromyalgia, A Randomized Double-blind Pilot Study, conducted by Agatha P. Colbert, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Conclusions were "Sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad provides statistically significant and clinically relevant pain relief and sleep improvement in subjects with Fibromyalgia. No adverse reactions were noted during the 16-week trial period."

Others - There are hundreds of other clinical trials that prove the efficacy of magnetic therapy some are reported in Gary Null’s book Healing with Magnets, and in the excellent work, Magnetic Therapy in Eastern European Research, by Jiri Jerabek, M.D., PHD and William Pawluck, M.D., MSc.

Magnetic Therapy Today

 Today in Japan and other Asian countries, therapeutic magnets are licensed as medical devices. Magnetic therapy has found favor in Australia, Russia and many European countries, especially Germany where medical insurance covers some of the costs. Contemporary western medicine uses magnetic energy for diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and, as a method to accelerate the healing of bone fractures. Magnetic therapy is becoming increasingly popular among progressive health care practitioners, veterinarians and professional athletes as well as the general population. It is a fact our population is aging and the cost of traditional health care is spiraling upward. magnetic therapy, for reasons of simplicity, effectiveness and economy, will become an important form of alternative therapy in the future.

According to the World Health Organization the type and Gauss strength of magnets used in magnetic therapy offer no health hazard. Consult your health care professional before using any new type of therapy. Most magnetic products carry warning labels indicating the following:

Do not use magnets or magnetic therapy if using a pacemaker, implanted medical device or insulin pump as they may interfere with the delicate electronic equipment. Magnetic products are not recommended for use during pregnancy. They are not proven beneficial nor detrimental. Be on the safe side, do not use. Keep magnetic products at least six inches away from objects such as credit cards, computers, diskettes, audio and videotapes, and similar items, as loss of data may result.

How Magnets Relieve Pain
When held against the skin, magnets relax capillary walls, thereby boosting blood flow to the painful area.

They also help prevent the muscle spasms that underlie many forms of pain-apparently by interfering with muscle contractions. And-they interfere with the electrochemical reactions that take place within nerve cells, impeding their ability to transmit pain messages to the brain.
Of course, chronic pain can be controlled with aspirin and other over-the-counter and prescription painkiller. But unlike pain medications, magnets do not carry any risk of side effects.

Putting Magnets to Work
The magnet should be affixed to the skin directly over the painful area. Some people use ordinary adhesive bandages to affix the magnets. But Transpore, a paper tape made by 3M, works better. It holds well, and it doesn't pull the hairs from the skin when it is removed.

If the magnet fails to provide relief within a few days, reposition the magnet over the nearest acupuncture point. To locate these points on the body, consult a book on acupuncture.

If repositioning the magnet fails to bring relief within 30 days, odds are it's not going to work. Switch to another type of magnet or speak with your doctor about using pain killing medication or another conventional approach.

• Aching Feet - Magnetic insoles can relieve foot pain and the achy feelings in the legs after you've been standing all day.

• Arthritis - If pain is limited to your fingers, a neo magnet taped to the affected joint should do the trick. Or, you can wear a magnetic wrist band.

• Back Pain - Place four magnets about 1.5" on either side of the spine, two per side. If applying and removing several magnets proves troublesome, use a three to four inch ceramic strip magnet or a magnetic back brace.

• Headache - Tape magnets to your temples or to the back of your head, just above the neck. Or-use a magnetic headband.

• Tennis Elbow - Use a magnetic band around the elbow. The same band also relieves hand and arm pain caused by repetitive strain injury.

Our naturopathy centre offers whole range of magnetic products for therapeutic use. To view catalogue of available magnetic items, click here:

CATALOGUE OF MAGNETIC PRODUCTS