Opposites attract
Can magnets relieve pain?
magnetic field therapy involves using magnets to treat specific conditions or boost overall health. People may refer to a bioenergetic field as ‘life force’, ‘chi’, or ‘energy flow’, and some say you can manipulate it to treat illness or injury. The practise dates back to ancient Egyptian times. People have long believed magnets to have healing powers for muscular pain and stiffness. Chinese healers as early as 200 BC may have used magnetic lodestones on the body to correct unhealthy imbalances in the flow of chi or energy.
Today, a wide range of products include necklaces and bracelets; knee, back, shoulder and wrist braces; mattress pads; gloves; shoe inserts; and more that people believe complement magnetic therapy.
Treatments
Magnetic field therapy assumes specific problems occur because your bioenergetic field is out of balance.
• Static
A magnet touches the skin via a bracelet, or another magnetised item such as a bandage, shoe insole or mattress pad.
• Electronic
Also known as electromagnet therapy, this involves magnets with an electric charge, and treatment is through an electric pulse.
• With acupuncture
An acupuncturist places magnets and acupuncture needles on specific areas of the body referred to as ‘energy pathways’ or ‘channels’.
How does it work?
Two theories best explain how magnet therapy works. The first is that magnets produce a slight electrical current. When applied to a painful area of the body, it stimulates your nerves, and your body responds by releasing natural chemicals. The second theory maintains that when an expert applies magnets to a painful area of your body, its cells respond by increasing blood circulation, ion exchange and oxygen flow. Magnetic fields attract and repel charged particles in the bloodstream, increasing blood flow and producing heat. Increased oxygen in the tissues and bloodstream makes a considerable difference in how fast you heal.
Some companies that sell therapeutic magnets claim they help to increase blood flow to areas of the body where the static device is worn (because blood contains iron and magnets attract iron), which encourages tissue to heal faster. Some people are dubious of this claim since iron in the blood is bound to haemoglobin and isn’t ferromagnetic (the kind of magnetism that holds magnets on a fridge).
What does it treat?
Although experts use it to combat wound healing and insomnia, most offer magnetic field therapy as a treatment option for pain. Scientists study its efficiency for conditions such as arthritis, headaches and fibromyalgia (widespread musculoskeletal pain). Reported benefits of magnet therapy include improved circulation to the extremities, and faster recovery of
bone fractures, torn muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Experts are also studying it as a treatment for depression and bipolar disorder. A procedure called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown promise in treating these conditions. To treat conditions such as depression and anxiety, experts stimulate specific areas of the brain using a magnetic charge. The areas of the brain TMS treatment targets are determined by advanced brain mapping. Both are non-invasive, don’t involve surgery and require no sedation or anaesthesia. The groundbreaking procedure was first introduced on the African continent at the Netcare Milpark Hospital’s new treatment centre, Connectomix, in Joburg, by neurosurgeon Dr Christos Profyris.
Should I take precautions?
While magnet therapy has shown some benefits, medical professionals agree it’s not the answer to every illness and condition, nor should you use it when a diagnosis hasn’t been established or to replace certain medications needed for infections, diabetes or heart disease, for example. While it’s generally safe for most people, it’s not a good idea to have it if you use a pacemaker or defibrillator, are pregnant, have an insulin pump or use other electro-insulin devices.
“Scientists study its efficiency for conditions such as arthritis, headaches and fibromyalgia”