Magnet Therapy

A. Introduction and Definition:

Magnet therapy is an alternative treatment which has been gaining ground in recent years. Magnet therapy is related to biomagnetism which is a branch of biology that studies the effects of magnetism in living beings as well as magnetism and electromagnetism. Many experiments have been conducted in the world. Over time, practitioners have kept records of what has and has not worked. Precautionary measures are now known to use with magnet therapy. It has been known to promote magnet therapy as a very safe and effective treatment when used correctly.

B. Historical Aspects and Background:

The origin of biomagnetism started centuries ago by the people of India, China, the eastern Mediterranean basin, and Australian aborigines and native Africans. Around 200 B.C., the Greek physician Galen noted magnetism was being used for it’s purgative powers. A persian physician named Ali Abbas was using magnetism to treat "spasms" and "gout" around A.D. 1000. Also, in the 16th century, Paracelsus, an innovative Swiss physician claimed to cure "hernias, gout, and jaundice" through the use of magnets. To understand the history of biomagnetism, it is necessary to examine the earlier history of magnetism and electromagnetism. Only a few hundred years ago did electromagnetism emerge, but the knowledge of magnetism goes back to ancient times. Legends say that a shepard named Magus discovered a mineral that attracted the nails of his sandals as he crossed Mount Ida in Asia Minor about twenty-five hundred years ago. The mineral today is known as magnetite. Some sources say that the word "magnetism" comes from Magnesia, a city in Asia Minor where the stone can be found. It has been observed when a magnet is left free to spin, it always rests in the same position. In 1269, Pierre de Maricourt had differentiated the two poles. He called the poles "north" and "south." "North" was the pole that points to the geographic north pole and "South" the pole that points to the geographic south pole. Later, it was observed that opposite poles attract and same type poles repel. In this case, "North" the pole of magnet pointing to the geographic south and "South" the pole pointing to the geographic north. ...

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...essages to the brain when stimulated. Nerve cells have a negative internal charge and a positive external charge unlike blood cells. When the north pole of a magnet is applied to the skin next to the nerve endings, the negative energy of the magnet and positive energy of the nerve cells attract each other. There are many more positive effects of magnet therapy that relate to the endocrine system, joints, muscles, and the blood. Personally, I have gone to massage therapy, for my back, as long as 6 months or so. I have had little to no relief at all. I have though about the use of magnet therapy quite a bit. If magnet therapy could be an alternative in treatment of my back, I would definitely have to say yes! Magnet therapy has many positive effects and more and more research is being conducted to this day.

F. Bibliography:

1. Healing With Magnets, Gary Null, Ph.D. Carroll and Graf Publishers, Inc. 1998.

2. Magnet Therapy: The Gentle and Effective Way to Balance Body Systems, Ghanshyam Singh Birla and Colette Hemlin, Healing Arts Press, 1999.

3. Magnet Therapy: The Pain Cure Alternative, Ron Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., Paul J. Rosch, M.D., F.A.C.P., and Judith Plowden