A. Introduction and Definition: Magnet therapy is an alternative treatment which has been gaining ground in recent years. Magnet therapy is related to bio magnetism 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 bio magnetism 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 16 th century, Paracelsus, an innovative Swiss physician claimed to cure ‘hernias, gout, and jaundice’ through the use of magnets. To understand the history of bio magnetism, 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 Mari court 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. Albert Roy Davis and Walter Rawls, two bio magnetism specialists say they liken the north pole to a negative charge and the south pole to a positive charge. Not until much later were observations and experiments about the properties of magnetism documented. When bio magnetism is being used, it is very important to use right polarity. In the 12 th century A. D.
, the characteristics of magnets was being used in navigation by the Arabs, Vikings, and the Europeans. In the 18 th century, the principles of magnetism began to be better understood. This is when a renewed interest in the study of magnetism was developing throughout Europe among doctors, chemists, and especially physicists. Franz Anton Mesmer, a German physician, was the first in a long line of scientists to claim that the properties of magnets offered a cure for illness.
He believed all living beings are subject to the influence of a ‘magnetic fluid’ that can be collected and re channeled by ‘passes’ and manipulation. C. Related Homeopathic Remedies: Human blood conditions which have responded to magnet therapy treatment are: alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, certain types of cancer and arthritis, asthma, backache, bladder weakness, bruises, bursitis, cataracts, cerebral palsy, diabetes, diverticulitis, dizziness, fractures, gall bladder disorders, glandular imbalance, glaucoma, headache’s, kidney and liver disease, menstrual cramps, MS, pancreatic and prostate disorders, reflux, schizophrenia, sinus congestion, and spleen disorders. The effects of the north and south pole are different. Magnets must be used carefully.
The south pole enhances the growth and proliferation of cells, no matter if they are healthy or not. Using the wrong pole could cause tumor growth or stimulate bacterial proliferation. Related treatments to magnet therapy include Acupuncture, Shiatsu, and Taoist. They include principles similar. As there are parallels between north and south magnetic poles, the principles of yin and yang, and negative and positive electrical charges. It is most likely that these principles will combine in practice.
D. Practitioners and Their Credentials: An M. D. named Paul J. Rosch is a member of the American College of Physicians. Also, he is an international authority on the relationship between stress and illness.
For 20 years, he has served as president of the American Institute of Stress. For the past 45 years, he has written on all aspects of stress. He is a clinical professor of medicine and psychiatry at New York Medical College and past president of the New York State Society of Medicine. Dr. Rosch has appeared on 60 Minutes. Also, he has been quoted in the media including Time, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and London Times.
Ron Lawrence, M. D. , and Ph. D. , president of the North American Academy of Magnetic Therapy, with over 45 years experience, is considered a leading authority on the medical rise of magnets and a respected neurologist. He established the first in-patient pain center in the United States.
Dr. Lawrence has studied and practiced Acupuncture and has also served on the National Advisory Council on Aging at the National Institute of Health. He is an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Lawrence has appeared on many national TV and radio programs and is the author of many books. E.
Conclusion: Magnet therapy is a good alternative treatment to treat many illnesses and get rid of pain in many areas. Magnet therapy can magnetize the blood, which then can carry more oxygen to the cells. It can make more energy available to tissues and organs. Also, it has good effects on the nervous system. The neuron or nerve cell is the basic building block of the nervous system.
Neurons carry impulses between the body periphery and the CNS. Sensory neurons react to touch, pain, pressure, temperature, position, muscular tension, etc. The nerve cells send messages 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 Hamlin, 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 P lowden.