Magnet Therapy
The History of Magnet Therapy
Magnet Therapy has been around for 4000 years, the ancient Aryans were using magnets to treat a wide range of ailments and diseases, their scriptures even referenced them using different magnetic poles to treat different conditions.
One of the leading works on healing was found in 'The Emperor's Book of Internal Medicine' in which it was recorded how imbalances of the body could be corrected by the use of magnetic stones.
The Greek scholars such as Plato, Homer and Aristotle explained the different proprieties of a magnet. In 200B.C the Greek physician Galen was using magnets to treat pain and in 69-30B.C it is said that Queen Cleopatra wore a natural magnetic amulet on her forehead to preserve her youth (behind the forehead lies the pituitary gland and the pineal gland, the pineal gland excretes the hormone melatonin which is potential for cell repair and anti-aging).
What is Magnet Therapy
All around us we are encompassed in earthly magnetism, it is a strong natural force that influences everything that is in the natural world even our own body.
Each cell in the human body has it's very own electro magnetic field that can become depleted as it's every day functions are continued.
Normally our cells are more than capable of repairing themselves; but the effects from poor health, diet, stress, lack of fluids and harmful electrical fields can have some bearing on their restorative capabilities.
When disease, persistent conditions and general ailments affects the body, the cell repair can be slow or even unsuccessful to heal, this is where Magnet Therapy may be beneficial in assisting to encourage cell function and aid in the healing of the body.
Gauss?
You cannot read about magnetic therapy without the mention of Gauss, magnetic strength is measure in Gauss after Carl Friedrich Gauss, a German mathematician and physicist. Telsa is also used, after Nikola Telsa, a Serbian-American researcher (1 Telsa = 1000 Gauss). Magnets used in bracelets and such should be no less than 1000 gauss to give any benefit and always look for the core Gauss as well as the surface gauss.
North / Negative V's South / Positive
The different poles have different properties, Negative/North pole is considered a relaxing pole and the Positive/South pole is considered an energetic pole.
Negative Magnetic Energy:
* Relieves pain
* Reduces inflammation
* Decreases acidity in the body
* Increases tissue oxygenation in the body
* Increases alkalinity in the body
* Decreases calcium ions
* Decreases glandular and enzyme activities
* Assists restful sleep
* Supports biological healing
* Reduces/dissolves fatty deposits
* Reduces/stops symptoms
* Fights infection
* Reduces fluid retention
Positive Magnetic Energy:
* Promotes random growth
* Increases inflammation
* Increases acidity in the body
* Decreases alkalinity in the body
* Decreases tissue oxygenation
* Increases calcium ions
* Increases glandular and enzyme activities
* Stimulates wakefulness
* Inhibits biological healing
* Encourages fatty depositing
* Intensifies symptoms
* Accelerates micro organism growth
* Increases intracellular oedema
The negative or north pole is considered the safest to use and the positive or south pole should only be applied by trained therapists and should only be used for a short period at a time.
What does magnet therapy do to the body?
When a negative pole of a magnet is placed on a particular point on the body (pain site) it is believed to lengthen and relaxed the tissue and agitates the blood cells this then increases the flow of more oxygen in that area, this in turn enables the body to switch on it's own beta endorphins (pain relieving system).
What is a treatment like?
There are several methods of treatments on offer from a magnet therapist, one would be a local treatment where the therapist places a magnet on the point of pain for a length of time until the pain lessens or stops, this method can also be used as a self healing tool in the home; others are the Chinese method of placing magnets on palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
Therapists may also place the magnets along the chakras running down either side of the body or do a treatment on the major organs and endocrine systems; magnet therapy can also be used on the reflex points of the hands and feet as well as acupressure points and the meridians.
What is involved in a treatment?
The therapist will do a full consultation and ask about your general health and will inform you know about any contra indications, the consultation could last up to an hour. If the therapist feels that magnet therapy could be of some benefit for you, they will then select a treatment method.
The patient fully clothed and with their shoes off lies down either on their back or on their front on a therapists couch that has been covered with negative/north pole magnetic pad; the therapist then does a simple kinesiology test to check on the clients state of health and then proceeds to places static therapeutic magnets on one point of the body at a time to determine which poles to use.
Music may be played by some therapists to aid relaxation, a single treatment can last between 20 - 45 minutes for adults and between 5 - 10 minutes for children.
The therapist may loan out some magnetic products to the client to use during treatments; we leave it up to the client on how many treatments they want as they know their own body, but suggest no more than 6 treatments as we feel that if there is no benefit after 6 treatments then magnet therapy may not be the answer at this moment.
What can Magnet Therapy be used for?
Magnet Therapy may be beneficial in helping:
* to ease pain and increase mobility in arthritic joints
* to alleviate stress and depression
* to promote sound sleep
* to assist the recovery of nerve sensation
* to aid the recovery of torn ligaments, muscles and tendons
* to reduce bruising and swelling
* to speed recovery in sports injuries
* to increase resistance to infection
* to improve circulation
* to assist in the removal of waste products from the blood, I.e.
lactic acids, calcium, cholesterol and fat deposits
* to increase energy an strength
* to speed healing, I.e. bone fractures
* to help recovery or prevention of RSI
* to alleviate migraine and headaches
* to improve over all health
Magnet Therapy is not suitable:
* For pregnant and lactating women
* People fitted with a battery operated implant such as a pace
maker, defibrillators, insulin pumps or other electro-insulin
devices.
* Those fitted with cobalt based implants
Disclaimer:
Magnet Therapy is not a substitute for good medical practise and it is recommended that you seek the advice and treatment from your own Medical Doctor first.
All animals must first be seen and treated by their own Veterinary Surgeon and his / her permission must be obtained before animals can be treated with Magnet Therapy.
