MAGNETIC FIELDS FOR WELL-BEING
There are many alternative medicine practices aimed at treating or alleviating various pains. They vary between cultures and are sometimes controversial, their effectiveness being questioned. Among them, magnetotherapy. As the name suggests, it concerns the manipulation of magnets in order to relieve pain. What is it and is it really effective?
What is magnetotherapy ?
Magnetotherapy is actually very old. This is a concept discovered by a German physician in 1773, Franz-Alton Mesmer. The latter calls it “animal magnetism” and supports the hypothesis that we have a magnetic fluid, which can be manipulated by “healers”. These manipulations would thus avoid headaches, muscle pain and promote disease prevention. At the time, this magnetism was practiced with the hands of the healer, not magnets.
Gradually, magnetotherapy is disappearing in favor of the appearance of chemical drugs in the West. But it was in the 20th century that she made her return to the USSR. In fact, magnets are used after amputations to relieve pain in the “phantom limb”. It was in the 1980s that magnetic field medicine reappeared in the West, considered a type of alternative medicine in its own right.
In Japan, magnetotherapy has been recognized as a medicine in its own right for many years. In Europe, hospitals are now considering the possible use of this “alternative” medicine. You should know that it was Saint Anne’s Hospital in Paris that initiated the first uses of magnets.
How does magnetotherapy work ?
Magnetotherapy thus consists of placing magnets on the top and bottom of the painful area, creating magnetic fields that would relieve the pain. Several factors would make this method effective.
First, the creation of a magnetic field would cause the creation of micro-fields in the blood vessels in the sore area. Alerted by this signal, the brain would then send endorphins which are our natural painkillers. As it passes through the magnetic field, endogenous opioids are released, relieving us of pain.
In addition, magnets would have the power to limit the transmission of the pain message to the brain. This could be explained by the reduction in the ability of the peripheral nerves to emit pain from the affected area.
Finally, the magnets would restore the original magnetic field to the sore area. This return to normal is also called “magnetic homeostasis”.
Thus, the magnets would stimulate cellular activity and energy.
Is Magnetic Therapy Effective ?
Like many alternative medicines, magnetotherapy was very controversial and still is today. To date, few studies have shown that magnets are really effective in completely treating pain.
However, it can be effective in calming them down. It would also be effective as a prevention for pain resulting from tendonitis, osteoarthritis, arthritis, low back pain, migraine … But it would also promote healing, restful sleep and the circulation of energy in our body.
There are several types of magnets that can be used at home, but you shouldn’t choose just all of them. Neodymium magnets, also called static magnets, are suitable for this practice. Care should also be taken to choose magnets with a hypoallergenic coating to avoid any type of reaction. We also count pulsed magnets, which in turn are used by electronic devices. These include different programs that will be adapted to the pathology. All you have to do is select the appropriate program. Before using them, be sure to read the contraindications, such as the practice on pregnant women, people with pacemakers or other similar devices.
It is thus possible to relieve pain through the use of magnets, but it is not for us considered therapy. Whether it is to relieve or prevent pain associated with osteoarthritis, promote energy in your body or accelerate healing, magnetotherapy has already been proven, especially in Japan. So, unconventional medicine or medicine of the future? Your turn to try.
