The Healing Power of Magnets

[Guest guest]

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/1/22/the-healing-power-o\

f-magnets.aspx

The Healing Power of Magnets

Magnets have been used for their healing properties

since ancient times, and now a new study has found

that they can reduce swelling when applied immediately

after an inflammatory injury.

In their initial study, researchers from the

University of Virginia set out to investigate the

effect of magnetic therapy on microcirculation, which

is blood flow through tiny blood vessels.

They placed magnets of 70 milliTesla (mT) field

strength, which is about 10 times the strength of the

common refrigerator magnet, near rats’ blood vessels

and found that they dilated constricted blood vessels,

and constricted vessels that were dilated. The results

suggested that the magnetic filed could relax blood

vessels and increase blood flow.

In the more recent study, the researchers used magnets

on rats’ paws that had been treated with inflammatory

agents to simulate tissue injury. The magnets

significantly reduced swelling in the rats’ paws by up

to 50 percent when applied immediately after the

injury.

Dilation of blood vessels is a major cause of

swelling, and it’s thought that the magnets worked by

limiting blood flow.

Muscle bruising and joint sprains are the most common

injuries worldwide, and since injuries that don’t

swell heal faster, the magnet therapy could have

widespread applications.

The researchers envisioned using magnets in place of

ice packs and compression to treat injuries in high

school, college, and professional sports teams, as

well as among retirement communities.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Magnetic therapy is a $5-billion market worldwide, and

it is no surprise that in the United States the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration makes it illegal to

market magnets to treat significant conditions like

HIV, asthma, or arthritis.

Do be aware, however, that it requires certain

strengths of magnets to promote healing in the

different areas of your body.

So if you’re looking to try this out yourself, it will

take some work for you to do the research and find the

correct strength and type of magnet for the specific

condition you’re looking to heal.

I have actually been intrigued with magnet therapy for

some time, as it seems promising and generally has

very few side effects. And while magnets do not treat

the underlying cause of any problem, they are far less

dangerous than using drugs or surgery.

In addition to reducing swelling, magnets have been

found to help with:

Depression

Age-related mental decline

Alzheimer’s disease

Schizophrenia

There are countless products available, from magnetic

bracelets and ankle straps to shoe insoles and

mattresses, and it is really a buyer beware

environment to make sure you are getting a quality

product. Many commercial products do NOT have the

proper field strength to be very effective.

Since I do not sell magnets, however, it is perfectly

legal for me to explain to you how this process works.

Magnet therapy uses “static” magnets, which are called

static because the resulting magnetic field is

unchanging. (Please do not confuse these with

electromagnets, which produce magnetic fields when an

electric current is applied and really shouldn’t be

used on your own.)

To use static magnets for pain relief, you must find a

magnet of sufficient strength to provide a benefit.

You can test this out yourself by placing the magnet

next to a piece of clothing or sock, then placing a

paper clip on the other side. If the magnet is not

strong enough to hold the paper clip through your

sock, then it will not penetrate your body either.

Alternatively, you should check out the strength of

the magnet before you buy it. They are typically

measured in units called gauss (G). Simple

refrigerator magnets range from 35 to 200 G, but the

magnets that may treat your pain range from 300 to

5,000 G. Some practitioners start with a lower gauss

and gradually move up to a more intense level as

necessary.

Magnet polarity is also important, as each magnet has

two sides, negative and positive. The negative end, or

north pole, generally has a cooling, sedating effect

that is useful for relieving pain and inflammation.

The positive end, or the south pole, has the opposite

effect and is stimulating, even to bacteria and

viruses. So the positive end of the magnet needs to be

used cautiously as it could actually promote disease

and increase pain if it is used incorrectly. Because

of this, the positive end of a magnet is typically

used VERY carefully for conditions such as numbness,

weak muscles, paralysis and scarring.

Most therapeutic magnets have their polarity marked,

but to be sure you can check it using a magnetometer.

Once you have gauged the magnet’s polarity, you can

place the proper side directly onto your skin and

secure it in place with an elastic bandage. You will

need to experiment with how long it should be kept on.

Some conditions respond relatively quickly, while

others can take much longer.

While on the topic of magnetic therapy, I can state

that for the last six months I have been sleeping on a

magnetic bed, which seems to have helped certain

health challenges I was having.

I will review this more in future issues but let me

make it very clear that this is NOT a bipolar magnetic

bed that I was using. Bipolar magnets are thought to

direct the potentially dangerous positive magnetic

energy into your body, and I would caution all to

avoid bipolar beds as I am convinced that they will

actually increase your risk of cancer. This has been

reported by a number of highly respectable clinicians

in this field.

I was sleeping on a unipolar magnetic mattress pad,

which more closely approximate the earth’s magnetic

field and I believe is the far wiser choice.

Energy treatments like magnetic therapy are likely to

gain even more steam in coming years, but remember

that even a safe, alternative treatment like this will

not remove the root cause of your pain or disease.

However, when combined with my 10-step program for

optimal health, magnetic therapy could be a safe,

inexpensive addition.

1. Address your emotional traumas

2. Get optimal sunlight exposure

3. Drink enough pure water

4. Avoid toxins

5. Eat the right fats

6. Eat right for your Nutritional Type

7. Eat plenty of raw food

8. Control your insulin and leptin levels

9. Exercise

10. Sleep properly

Related Articles:

Magnets Can Strengthen Your Mind

Magnetic Fields May Destroy Malaria

How to Avoid Being Bitten by Sharks

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Looking for last minute shopping deals?

Find them fast with Search.

http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping