Magnet therapy
Induced and static magnet therapy will be explored. Static magnet therapy is an alternative medicine, while induced magnetic therapy is a mainstream treatment. This resource will go into how these two treatments are reported to work.
Magnet therapy background[edit | edit source]
Ancient Greeks believed that magnets had healing qualities.[1]
Magnet therapy devices are said to be installed in space shuttle to keep astronauts in sync with Earth's magnetic field. It is believed the body is assisted by magnets by keeping its biofield operating in a frequency of 8 hz per second, the frequency of the Earth.
Evidence against its functions[edit | edit source]
Magnet therapy is reported to not work on iron in the blood. Many scientific studies claimed that magnet therapy doesn't work.
Magnet therapy's reported function[edit | edit source]
The premise is that magnet therapy works by having an effect on electrical impulses in nerves. In physics magnets influence electrical current, and vice-versa.
Static magnet therapy[edit | edit source]
Few studies demonstrate positive results by static magnets for health.
A blind study showed significant pain reduction using a magnetic bracelet compared to a placebo for hip and knee pain.[2] This is weak evidence, considering that the control group could feel the weak magnetic presence.[2] The research concluded with the use of further studies that, the results were unaffected by the control group being able to determine this.[2]
In an experiment, stationary magnets reduced swelling in mice after simulated physical trauma.[1] Stationary magnets were also able to constrict or widen blood vessels.[1]
Static magnet therapy might be another form of acupuncture.
Induced magnet therapy[edit | edit source]
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is induced magnet therapy performed on the brain. TMS is proven for treating depression, and it is a milder, noninvasive alternate to shock therapy.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "UVa biomedical engineering study shows magnetic field can reduce swelling". American Journal of Physiology. Physorg. January 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Magnetic bracelets may relieve hip and knee pain, British Medical Journal, December 18, 2004, retrieved January 30, 2013
- ↑ Magnet Therapy May Ease Hard-to-Treat Depression