BIOMAGNETIC HEALING
by Gary NullThis paper presents the issues and scientific research relating to the efficacy of Biomagnetic Healing. For additional information on this controversial topic, read Gary Null's book, Healing with Magnets, which includes clinician's reports and actual patients' experiences.
Note: The information on this website is not a substitute for
diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional.
CONTENTS
The power of the magnet is one of the most basic powers in nature. We know that magnetism itself was an ingredient in the primordial soup from which the universe and our planet came forth. Magnetism is the force that keeps order in the galaxy, allowing stars and planets to spin at significant velocities. And in a sense, our own planet's magnetic field is responsible for protecting all life on earth.
This book is about how we can use the power of magnetism to optimize health. Today, we are at an exciting juncture in the evolution of health care as biomagnetic therapy fast becomes one of the most promising new therapeutic interventions. Actually, biomagnetic therapy is not new to everyone. Many veterinarians have been aware of biomagnetic benefits for years, and use magnets to heal fractures quickly, thereby saving the lives of race horses and other animals. Doctors treating professional athletes commonly recommend magnets to speed up recovery from painful injuries. And other physicians in a variety of specialties, including dermatologists, internists, pediatricians, and surgeons, are seeing excellent results as well.
That magnetic healing is nothing new can be seen by looking at early records of scientifically advanced civilizations, which tell us that magnetic forces have long been prized for their restorative properties. Ancient Greece discovered the very first natural magnet in the form of the lodestone, and Hippocrates, the father of medicine, noted its healing powers. The Egyptians, too, described the divine powers of the magnet in their writings, and Cleopatra frequently adorned herself with magnetic jewelry to preserve youthfulness. Chinese manuscripts dating back thousands of years describe the Eastern belief that the life force, termed "qi", is generated by the earth's magnetic field. Today, many believe that certain places on earth, such as Lourdes, France, and Sedona, Arizona, owe their healing powers to naturally high levels of this qi, or biomagnetic energy.
It should be noted that today, magnetic therapy is well established in other countries, such as Japan, China, India, Austria, and Germany. In the U.S., unfortunately, many healing techniques readily accepted by other traditions are only familiar to those practitioners on the cutting edge. Although state-of-the-art American medicine uses techniques to monitor magnetic fields, such as electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, and magnetic resonance imaging, it has not taken other forms of magnetic therapy seriously. More and more American studies, however, are confirming the value of the magnetic approach. As a result, magnet therapy is gaining credibility in the U.S. and being applied by increasing numbers of doctors and other health practitioners to treat a wide range of ailments. Now awareness of this modality is filtering down to the general public, as increasing numbers of people are sleeping on magnetic beds at night and wearing small magnets during the day for greater energy, preventive purposes, and healing. It is with the idea of expanding this awareness of a natural healing option that I have interviewed a wide range of clinicians, scientists, and patients, and written this book.
Finally, no one claims that magnetic therapy is going to work for everyone. However, ample evidence suggests that seven out of ten people experience a beneficial effect. One is led to ponder if when Hippocrates wrote, "The natural force within each of us is that greatest healer of all," he did not have magnetic energy in mind.
ISSUES IN MAGNET THERAPY Research into magnet therapy is divided into two distinct areas: pulsed bioelectric magnetic therapy and fixed magnetic therapy. Probably 85 to 90 percent of the scientific literature is on pulsed bioelectric biomagnetic therapy; the remainder is on therapy with fixed solid magnets. As is always the case, research interest and funding have been where there is proprietary gain. No patents can be issued for work done on fixed magnets, but certainly they can be for pulsed magnetic devices. Since it cannot necessarily be assumed that a positive result from pulsed bioelectric magnets will automatically translate to a positive result from a fixed magnet, there needs to be more study in the area of fixed magnets.Another reality of this still developing field is that there are different schools of thought on the essential mechanisms of magnetic therapy, centered on questions of polarity, among other issues. In this book I have tried to draw on the input of the most responsible scientific and medical representatives from varying points of view. These are not lay marketeers passing along misinformation. Rather, these sources are qualified M.D., Ph.D. research scientists and clinicians who have spent years in the field.
One is Dr. William Pawluk*, of Chicago, a board-certified family physician in both Canada and the United States and Assistant Professor in the School of Hygiene and Public Health and School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Pawluk*, who is vice president of the North American Academy of Magnetic Therapy, lectures extensively on magnetism and combines magnetic therapy and acupuncture in his practice. He has written a chapter on magnetic therapy for the Textbook of Complementary Medicine (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore) and has undertaken the noble task of studying and translating a comprehensive body of foreign research on magnetism and its applications.
Another perspective comes from John Zimmerman, Ph.D., one of the leading authorities in America on the subject of magnets. He is president of the Bio-Electro-Magnetics Institute, an independent, nonprofit, educational, research organization dedicated to furthering our understanding of bioelectromagnetism. Dr. Zimmerman has published extensively and is currently conducting a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effectiveness of fixed magnets for low back pain. He is also a member of the North American Academy of Magnetic Therapy.
On some points the two main schools of thought think alike. They generally agree in their discussion of size, strength, and placement of magnets, and duration of treatment. Where they disagree is at the basic physics level regarding when to use a positive or a negative pole. There is also some confusion, as we shall see, about the correct labeling of poles on magnets. But controversy is par for the course in a developing field, and irrespective of which school is ultimately found right, each has enough positive clinical, anecdotal, and scientific results to show that magnets work.
Magnetism and Electromagnetism What is the difference between a fixed magnet and an electromagnetic device? Simply put, a fixed magnet emits a magnetic field, while an electromagnetic apparatus gives off an electric and magnetic field. Dr. John Zimmerman elaborates: "Magnetism and electromagnetism are different sides of the same coin. However, unlike a coin, electromagnetism has three sides rather than two. They are the electric field, the magnetic field, and the electromagnetic radiation."Electric fields are associated with the displacement of charged particles, usually electrons, but sometimes charged particles called ions. An example of an electric field occurs when you shuffle your feet across a carpet and touch a doorknob. The carpet pulls some electrons from your body and your clothing, leaving you with a deficiency and the carpet with an excess. When you touch the doorknob, it pulls up electrons to satisfy your deficiency, and it balances the electrical charge, creating a spark in the process. Electrical fields are measured in units called volts per meter (vpm) or volts per centimeter (vpc).
"The next side of the three-sided coin is the magnetic field. A magnetic field is caused by electrical charges in motion, as opposed to an electric field, which is produced by electrical charges in different concentrations, more in one place than the other, regardless of whether or not they are moving. You cannot see the electrical current in a magnet; you have to delve deeper into the structure of matter to understand.
"In a static magnet, the electrical current moves in terms of electrons orbiting around the atomic nuclei. An iron body is magnetized when the electrons become aligned to a greater degree."
Zimmerman goes on to explain that the best way to describe magnetism in a permanent magnet is to make an analogy with the military: "Imagine all the atoms in an unmagnetized block of iron to be soldiers in a barracks going about their daily business. Some may be brushing their teeth, while others read magazines, and others lie in bed. Then, the captain walks in, and the drill sergeant says, 'Fall in.' Everybody scrambles to fall in place, aligning themselves in the same direction with a certain amount of space between them. The difference before and after the command 'Fall in' is analogous to the difference between an unmagnetized block of iron before and after being subjected to a magnetizing force. The magnetizing force commands electrons, and the atoms in the block of material literally fall into place. Once they become aligned in the same direction, you have a permanent magnet."
Magnetism can also be produced by currents in a wire, Zimmerman continues, and these magnetic fields are due to the electrons in the wire. "If it's a 60 cycle per second (cps) current, like a wall outlet, electrons shuffle back and forth, creating 60 full cps. But they really don't go anywhere. They're like the tide going in and out of the ocean, going first in one direction and then the other. But the tide really never goes anywhere outside of that predetermined length of run. Electrons in a wire, in a lamp cord, or in a power line, are very similar. They'll basically go back and forth, producing a magnetic field in the area around it."
How does this differ from electromagnetic radiation? This is the third side of the coin, Zimmerman explains. "EMR occurs when you have charges that accelerate or decelerate very quickly. Imagine a glass of water filled almost to the very top. You slowly dip a spoon into and out of the water, and every time you change direction, you accelerate the motion of the spoon. If the rate of that acceleration and deceleration is relatively slow, you can dip the spoon in and out of the nearly full glass of water all day long, and not much will happen. The water will stick to the spoon, and when you pull the spoon out of the water, it will have some water droplets adhere to it. When you put it back in, it will go back into the glass of water.
"What happens, though, if you start to accelerate the motion of that spoon? Obviously, water is going to start flying off of it. This is exactly what happens when you produce EMR. At a certain rate of change of velocity that is analogous to moving a spoon into and out of the water very quickly, charged particles, called photons, come off of the source of the moving electric charges, much like water droplets coming off of the spoon that's rapidly moving in and out of the glass of water. Photons, noncharged massless entities which carry the electromagnetic force across space, are frequently pulled off of the charged couriers, much like water droplets coming off the spoon being rapidly lowered into and raised from a glass of water. This is what we refer to as EMR." As the name implies, electromagnetic radiation contains two distinct fields: an electric field, measured in volts per meter or volts per centimeter, and a magnetic field, which is measured in units called teslas, or gauss. (One tesla equals 10,000 gauss.)
The effectiveness of using pulsed magnetic fields to heal bone fractures and, to a lesser degree, soft tissue injures such as sprains and strains, is quite well documented. Numerous scientific journals have reported these findings since the 1970s, and the FDA approves the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields for the treatment of nonunion bone fractures, which are fractures that will not heal on their own. It is believed that the pulsed electromagnetic fields penetrate the cast and get to the layer of skin that's moist and conductive. Then the electric field stops, but the magnetic field continues to do the healing work.
Clinical experience suggests other uses for electromagnetic devices. Hundreds of articles substantiate claims of benefit for a large number of conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, migraines, and Parkinson's disease.
Fixed magnets are believed to help these conditions, as well as others, and are generally more economical and less complicated to use. Doctors have presented papers at the North American Academy of Magnetic Therapy, citing success with fixed magnets in patients with congestive heart failure and various types of cancerous conditions. A Canadian research project is investigating the effects of fixed magnets on fibromyalgia; specifically, the researchers want to determine whether sleeping on a magnetic pad helps to reduce the pain associated with the condition. Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis have been reported to respond very well to magnetic field therapy using fixed individual magnets.
The Polar Controversies If you are looking for confusion, controversy, and contradictions, you might want to follow politics, or better yet, you might want to look into the questions surrounding the naming of magnetic poles. For instance, is the south pole true south? And is the north pole true north? How a magnetic pole is named is dependent upon convention, and not all conventions are alike. Therefore, you may be getting two magnets from two companies where corresponding sides are called north on one magnet and south on the other. Dr. Zimmerman explains: "We need to understand that there are two ways of naming the north pole of the magnet: convention one and convention two. You have to know which convention you're dealing with. Otherwise, what you're calling north somebody else may be calling south."Way one of naming the poles of the magnet is called the traditional, scientific, sailor navigation type of way. It assumes that if you suspend a bar magnet on a pivot point, like a compass needle, or maybe on a string from the ceiling, the part of the magnet that points north is labeled the north pole of the magnet, and obviously that end of the magnet that points geographically south is the south pole of the magnet." Zimmerman says that this traditional way of naming the poles is not the one used by most people employing biomagnetic therapy.
"In the biomagnetic nomenclature of identifying the poles of the magnet, it's just the opposite," Zimmerman explains. "That end of the magnet that points north is labeled the south pole because it's attracted to the north pole of the earth. That end of the magnet that attracts the south pole of the earth is labeled the north pole of the magnet because opposites attract."
Zimmerman goes on: "People might say, 'Gee, in the traditional way of naming magnets, how can the north pole be pointing north?' The answer uses rather complex reasoning. I don't mean to confuse people, but in the traditional way of naming the poles of the magnet, the reason the north pole of the magnet points north is that the traditionalists assume that the south magnetic pole of the earth is located in the northern hemisphere. That sounds backwards, complex, and confusing, and it is. But that's the way traditional science textbooks and physics textbooks often get around the conundrum that the north pole of the magnet is pointing north. They say that the south pole is located in the northern hemisphere.
"That's all very confusing to people, so we like to focus our attention on what we call the biomagnetic definition, which avoids that complexity. It assumes that the north pole of the magnet is where it's supposed to be--in the geographic north pole of the earth, and the south pole is in the southern hemisphere. With this definition, a suspended bar magnet, or the arrowhead of a compass needle that points north, is always the south end of the magnet or the south end of the compass needle. Stated another way, if you have a magnet that is flat, and you want to know which end is north, approach it with a compass needle. That end of the magnet that attracts the arrowhead of the compass needle is the biomagnetic north pole."
Another controversy revolves around the issue of when to use the north, or negative, pole and when to use the south, or positive. One school of thought is based on the ideas of Davis and Rawls, whose studies done in the 1930s suggest that exposure to biomagnetic negative poles enhance health, while biomagnetic positive poles exacerbate disease. More recently, Dr. William Philpott has been championing the Davis and Rawls point of view and drawing conclusions based upon his own clinical experience. Here is what Philpott feels each pole will do:
North (Negative) Pole
Relieves pain
Reduces swelling
Promotes tissue alkalinization
Promotes sound, restful sleep
Increases tissue oxygenation
Calms the nervous system
Assists in relief of addictive tendencies
South (Positive) Pole
Accelerates growth indiscriminately
Increases swelling
Promotes tissue acidity
Decreases tissue oxygenation
Makes sleep less sound and restful
Promotes anxiety
There are those who support the claims of Philpott. Yet, scientists wishing to duplicate the work of Davis and Rawls cannot find any data to work from. And a search of the literature shows Philpott to be making more claims than scientific evidence can support at this time. Philpott also promotes his own magnets and may therefore be biased. This is not to say that these claims are false; however, more scientific research confirming or disproving these claims needs to be done.
The only study to date on this issue was published in the September 1990 issue of the "Journal of the National Medical Association." Scientists took petri dishes full of cancer cells and put them in either the biomagnetic north pole end of a magnetic resonance imaging facility or the biomagnetic south pole end. In three weeks, the petri dishes in the north pole end exhibited a dramatic decrease in cell growth, which is what you what you want to see with cancer cells. The dishes in the south end exhibited a slight, but detectable, increase in the rate of cell growth. This is the first experiment to address this question, and more work is clearly needed.
To add confusion to the issue, some scientists believe that there is no strong evidence supporting the use of one pole over another. This point of view is especially prevalent in Russia. Japanese manufacturers who uphold this point of view sell magnetic mattress pads that expose the body to both north and south fields, although some experts have warned against this practice.
Dr. Zimmerman is currently studying the difference between unipolar and bipolar magnets in the treatment of low back pain. The unipolar magnets have flat surfaces and expose the subject to just one field, while bipolar magnets expose the skin to both fields simultaneously. They are designed with alternating spatial patterns of north and south poles, so they may be arranged, for example, as concentric circles, like a target, as alternating squares, analogous to a checkerboard, or as alternating triangles. Both types of magnets have their proponents, and Dr. Zimmerman is seeking to address the issue from a scientific point of view rather than be influenced by manufacturers' advertising.
An argument against the north/south dichotomy is made by Dr. Pawluk*, who says that there is no proof that magnet wearers are being exposed to just one polarity. Pawluk questions the existence of a purely north or south field as he talks about the impossibility of the "blocked wall concept": "The problem with the 'blocked wall' is that in a magnetic field, molecules line up perfectly and produce lines of force that are very strong in one direction. The lines of force bend around and then turn back on themselves. You have one molecule on one side that's lined up in one direction and one molecule on the other side lined up in the opposite direction. When they bend around, they cancel each other out.
"Let's assume the upper part of the magnet is the north pole," Pawluk* continues. "Then the bottom part will be the south pole. At the top part, the lines of force are north pole lines. In physics, I'm not sure anyone can make a distinction between a line of force coming out of the upper side or north side of the magnet versus the line of force that's coming from the south side. It's not like cold and hot water. There's no scientific evidence proving that they are different. If you move away from the edge of the magnet by an inch or half an inch, and you measure the area with a magnetometer, you'll find that the field has changed from positive to negative. Say the top surface is positive. If you move one inch to the side, you'll find, when you measure the area with a magnetometer, that the field has changed and become negative. It goes from a north to a south pole. What that means is that at any given time with a permanent magnet you are actually being exposed to both the north and south pole. When you have a very dense magnet there's obviously a higher concentration of south pole at the surface than there is at the sides. Nevertheless, you're actually being exposed to both fields."
In summation, Dr. Pawluk* explains that most scientists now believe that permanent magnets create their effects because of the drop in the field, or what is known as the gradient. The change in polarity may be what is producing the effect in the body. In other words, both north and south poles are entering the body at any given moment, and the entirety of the magnet is what is doing the healing.
HOW MAGNETS ARE USED While very little research on magnet therapy has been done in the United States, there has been a lot of work in this field in Russia, Czechoslovakia, and the Western European nations over the past 30 years. This discrepancy parallels an experience I had about 15 years ago when I approached the FDA to see what information they had concerning glandular implants as a way of rejuvenating body systems. They said there had not been a single study done and that it was quackery. A quick review of the American literature did suggest there was never a study done in the United States. But after going to Vienna, Austria, as well as to Heidelberg, Germany, and interviewing scientists and clinicians working in the field of glandular implants, I was provided with over 500 studies published in the peer-reviewed literature. Similarly, if you look for research on fixed magnets in the United States, you will find a paucity and think there is a minimum of hard evidence. However, if you were to go to Russia, where magnetism is a well-regarded and highly respected science, you'd find hundreds of studies on fixed and pulsed magnetic therapy. It is rare for an American physicist to read Russian, and hence review their literature. But Dr. William Pawluk* has done just that and shares his views in our Clinicians' Reports section, showing that there is more than adequate reason to feel very positive and assured about the nature of this research.Even if you do not have access to the research, magnets are simple to use. So, why not give them a try? My suggestion would be to use magnets on yourself as if you were performing a single controlled study. Listen to what your body tells you. If you have had unremitting arthritis pain in your hands and apply a magnet to it, you may find that three days later you no longer have pain for the first time in 10 years. Remember, your own experience is valid. This book is an effort to combine practical common-sense usage and good clinical experience. Science will simply have to catch up.
A Complementary TherapyOf course nobody is saying that magnets are a be-all and cure-all. They should not be used by themselves for any major disease or medical condition, but rather, they should be looked upon as an adjunctive therapy. My own personal experience is that magnets work best in combination with other healing modalities. Ever since seventh grade, I have been a competitive athlete, winning dozens of USA track and field national championships, regional championships, and over 300 local races. And I have set numerous American records. Therefore, I know my body well. When I sustained a severe hamstring injury, I used magnets--small, medium, and large, from 500 gauss to 5000 gauss--wearing them for 15 minutes at a time and sleeping with them taped to my leg. The magnets hastened my recovery.
A year and a half later, I reinjured the same hamstring. This time, I used magnets in addition to intravenous vitamin C drips, glutathione, calcium, magnesium, quercetin, and other nutrients at very high dosages. The first hamstring injury required almost three months to heal using magnets alone; the reinjury required two weeks to heal. I have seen the same results throughout my career when multiple therapies were used instead of an individual one. Hence, I believe that magnets should be used in combination with other healing modalities, which may include therapeutic touch, acupuncture, acupressure, deep or soft tissue massage, and compresses, to name just some of the approaches available.
WarningsWhile magnets are generally safe, there are times when they should not be used. Here are some caveats to keep in mind:
Pregnancy Until research proves otherwise, pregnant women should not wear magnets, particularly over the abdominal area, which would expose the fetus to the magnetic fields. Using magnets on the shoulder, arm, or elbow, however, would not expose the fetus and would be allowable.
Pacemakers Individuals wearing heart pacemakers or other electronic implanted devices should not use magnets near the apparatus. A magnet should not be suspended over the heart, for instance. Nor should they be worn on the mid-back where the magnetic field affects the heart from the opposite side. It is all right, though, to wear magnetic insoles for sore, tired feed, or a magnetic pad on the elbow, knee, or ankle.
Bleeding Wounds Magnets lessen the stickiness of platelets, blood components that make a scab after you cut yourself. So, if you use a magnet when you have an active bleeding wound, you may actually increase the amount of bleeding in the wound. It's best, then, to wait until the wound gets sticky or starts to show evidence of healing. Apply magnets at that point. Definitely do not use magnets if you are on anticoagulants or if you have a condition, called polycythemia, that increases the likelihood of bleeding.
Bipolar Magnets for Those with Infections and Cancer People with cancer or any sort of infection, like candida, fungi, viruses, or bacteria, should avoid exposure to bipolar magnets. As we've mentioned, many believe from their observations and clinical experiences that the south pole accelerates the growth of cancer cells, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Not all practitioners and manufacturers agree, but until the research proves otherwise, it is prudent to err on the side of caution, and only use products with north-facing magnetic fields.
Considerations When Using Fixed Magnets The effectiveness of magnetic treatment depends largely on four factors, according to Dr. John Zimmerman: strength, thickness, number of magnets used, and spacing.First, magnets vary in strength, and it's important to remember that stronger magnets penetrate more deeply than do weak ones and that the reading at the surface of the magnet is different from the reading at its core. In other words, a magnet that is a 2000 gauss at its core may only be 200 gauss at its surface. If the problem area is covered by a thick layer of skin--say, at the thigh--the magnet may not be able to penetrate deeply enough to make a real difference. A strong, thick magnet will be needed. To penetrate 4 inches, one needs a 300-gauss magnetic field, and to get that strength, one may need a magnet of about 8000 or 10,000 gauss at its surface. These are hard to find but can sometimes be purchased through commercial distributors.
Neodymium and ceramic magnets tend to be more powerful than the plastalloy type. In general, the magnets that people should be purchasing are unipolar. They are flat-surface magnets that are magnetized along the direction of the surface. Note that horseshoe and bar magnets are not suitable for therapeutic application as they are magnetized on both ends or at the ends of the U-shape. Commonly, the magnets used therapeutically are either circular or rectangular. Several can be stacked for increased gauss strength and, therefore, greater effectiveness.
The thicker the magnet, the greater the depth of penetration. The down side to this is that, with increasing thickness, the magnet becomes more uncomfortable to wear. As a compromise one can wear magnets between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch thick.
Manufacturers often stack a number of magnets closely together in the same direction. The more magnets that a manufacturer includes in its product, the stronger the magnetic field and the greater the depth of penetration.
The final factor in magnet effectiveness has to do with the thickness or spacing of the pad between the magnet and the skin's surface. Usually, this space is pretty small--about an eighth or a quarter of an inch. This spacing makes the magnet more comfortable to wear and also smooths out the bumpiness of the magnetic field.
Dr. Zimmerman explains: "There's a phenomenon called south pole bleed-through. If you have a magnet that's a standard 3/8 of an inch thick by 7/8 of an inch wide by 1-7/8 inches tall, on one side of the magnet you have the north pole, and on the other side you have the south pole across the surface, 7/8 x 1-7/8 inches. For round figures' sake, we'll call it 1 x 2. Across this 1 x 2 inch magnet, one side is north and the other is south. If you take a sensitive magnetometer, and you hold it against the north side, you will read north everywhere along the surface of that magnet until you reach the very edge. At the edge of the magnet, you'll start seeing south pole. That's called south pole bleed-through. Relatively few magnet manufacturers realize this.
"The way to avoid south pole bleed-through has to do with an interaction between this number and the spacing of the magnets and the thickness of the pad between you and the magnet. If you have relatively few magnets spaced far apart--say 12 magnets spaced two inches apart--then you must have a thickness of some substantial amount, say two or three inches, before the magnetic field will become uniform. If you have a dozen magnets in a 3 x 4 array, in between each individual magnet you'll see the south pole. If you move a distance away from the magnet, say two or three inches, all the measured polarity will be north. There will be no south pole bleed-through. But if the magnets are spaced two inches apart, the thickness of the spacer must be rather substantial, say two, three, or four inches, to avoid south pole bleed-through. That makes the magnets much weaker, and it makes the pad uncomfortably thick. To avoid that, you can place the magnets much closer together. Instead of two inches apart, you can place them half an inch apart. Of course, if you space the magnets half an inch apart, you have to have more magnets. So, instead of having one dozen magnets, you might have three or four dozen. This increases the weight and the cost of the product, but the advantage is that it allows you to use a much thinner pad. In sum, if you space the magnets a certain distance apart, and you have a certain thickness of pad between you and the magnets, you'll get an entirely uniform north pole field."
Zimmerman goes on to say that because of south pole bleed-through, you want the magnet to be larger than the size of the area being treated. So while if you are treating a finger joint for arthritis, a small magnet is needed, if you are treating a large area, like the abdomen, a much larger magnet is called for.
There are more than two dozen magnet manufacturers (see Resources section). Dr. Zimmerman recommends a company in Deer Park, Washington, called Tengam, as an inexpensive source. He also suggests making an agreement with the seller of the magnet to offer a money-back guarantee if substantial relief is not obtained within 30 days. Reputable companies are likely to make and stand behind such an offer.
Therapeutic Uses Magnets have been used therapeutically to relieve pain and discomfort for thousands of years, perhaps even longer than acupuncture, which is over 2000 years old. The first reported therapeutic use of magnets involved the grinding up of a naturally occurring material called magnetite and the application of this in poultice form to uncomfortable areas of the body.Magnetite makes for a relatively weak magnet by today's standards. But since the earth's naturally occurring magnetic field was far higher in the past (2 to 3 gauss as opposed to 1/2 gauss today), magnetite crystals may have been stronger at one point in time. Still, this is a weak field by today's standards as one can easily buy a magnet with an internal gauss strength of 10,000 (1 tesla) or more. Such high exposures do not appear in any way detrimental; at worst, they seem harmless and at best they appear to help a variety of conditions.
Exposure to the earth's magnetic field plays an essential role in our health, a fact clearly demonstrated when the first astronauts returned to earth sick. Their illness was soon attributed to a lack of magnetism in outer space and the problem was subsequently resolved when NASA placed magnets in their space suits and spaceships.
It has since been discovered that in the absence of a magnetic field, the energy level of atoms diminishes. Necessary nutrients become depolarized and unusable. If this condition is permitted to continue, the body can become imbalanced and function improperly. By restoring balance to an organism, biomagnetic therapy can alleviate a number of health conditions. Some of the most common applications of magnets are described below:
General Uses Relief from Pain and Discomfort The most common use of magnetic fields is in the treatment of pain, with reports of successful treatment in a wide variety of conditions, including arthritis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, back pain, headaches, muscle sprains and strains, joint pain, tendonitis, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and torn ligaments.A noteworthy American double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of static magnets on the treatment of arthritis was recently published in the ®MDBR¯Journal of Rheumatology®MDNM¯ (November 1997, p. 1200). The study confirms the effectiveness of magnets in relieving the pain of arthritis. Another scientific study of similar rigor is being carried out by Dr. Zimmerman, and is looking at the effects of fixed magnets on low back pain. There is good reason to expect confirmation of what users have been claiming for years--that magnets are an excellent aid to pain relief.
To understand how magnets work to alleviate pain, it may help to look at pain mechanisms in the body. Pain is transmitted along nerve cells as an electric signal. While quiescent, the nerve has a small charge of about -70 mV. A pain signal depolarizes a cell. Magnets appear to raise the depolarization potential of the cell so that the signal is blocked from depolarization, in effect, blocking the pain. Furthermore, the ability of the nerve to send pain is slowed by a magnetic field. These phenomena can aid in the relief of pain throughout the body.
Pain relief may be enhanced when a magnet's negative pole is placed over certain acupuncture meridians. Research and clinical experience show that magnets increase energy (qi) along these points. The combination of therapies works synergistically so that their combined effects are greater than the sum of their effects would be if they were used separately. In addition, acupuncturists like magnets because they are painless and allow the treatment to continue long after a visit.
Reduction of Inflammation and Improved Circulation. Injured tissue emits a positive charge; placing the negative pole of a magnet over the area appears to restore a natural balance in the following way: The magnet improves circulation, allowing blood vessels to dilate and bring a greater volume of blood flow to the injured area. This helps to bring in natural healers and to remove the toxic byproducts of inflammation--bradykinens, prostaglandins, and histamines--all of which contribute to inflammation and pain. Thus, pain and inflammation are diminished and tissue healing is stimulated. Antimicrobial Effects Magnetic therapy can help the body ward off such microbial invaders as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It achieves this, in part, by increasing immune function through the oxygenation of white corpuscles, an important part of the immune system's arsenal.A magnetic field can also function like an antibiotic by lowering acidity, with the result that microorganisms have a more difficult time surviving. In addition, hormonal production is regulated, altering enzymatic activity and biochemical messengers of the immune system. For example, the pineal gland is one large electromagnetic entity. The net effect is to augment the body's natural ability to resist a variety of germs.
Stress Reduction The recent discovery of magnetite in the cells of the brain helps explain the calming effect of biomagnetic therapy. A magnetic field applied to the head calms as well as induces a hypnotic sleeping effect on the brain by stimulating the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is known to be anti-stressful, producing a sedating effect in insomniacs. This finding has led to the manufacture of magnetic pillows and pads designed to provide a sound and restful sleep. A person can then awaken with more energy and fewer aches and pains. Correction of Central Nervous System Disorders Dr. William Philpott claims that biomagnetic therapy can help central nervous system disorders. He states that such symptoms as hallucinations, delusions, seizures, and panic can be alleviated through biomagnetic therapy without disrupting the patient's mental alertness and orientation. Also, a magnetic field may reduce the need for tranquilizers and antidepressants. Magnets have been used as well to stop epileptic seizures. Energy Enhancement Biomagnetic therapy is known to increase general well-being by enhancing energy. The normal polarization of a positively charged nucleus with a negatively charged outer membrane permits a cell to function as a healthy entity. However, as the cell performs its daily functions, it becomes depolarized. Depolarized cells equal a tired person. It is believed that magnetic energy has the ability to penetrate all facets of the human body and reach every cell. That translates to greater energy and vitality throughout the body as a whole. Consequently, supplemental biomagnetic therapy can help the body revitalize.One normally revitalizes biological energy during sleep. This can be enhanced by sleeping in a magnetic field. Then, anabolic hormones, such as melatonin and DHEA, are made. Melatonin, made by the pineal gland, is a master hormone controlling the entire energy system.
Quicker Healing The medical community has known for years that pulsed biomagnetic therapy promotes the healing process, particularly of bone fractures. For over 40 years, many doctors have used pulsed biomagnetic therapy to treat fractures and have had a high rate of success. Several magnetic instruments have already been FDA-approved and sanctioned for both safety and therapeutic implications.The success of this therapy is attributed, in part, to its facilitating the migration of calcium ions and osteoblasts to heal broken bones in less than the usual time. In addition, the migration of calcium occurs away from joints to reduce painful arthritic joint inflammation. The end result is the noninvasive promotion of natural healing, without the use of unnatural chemicals and drugs. Adequate magnetic energy also softens or eliminates scar tissue formed during the healing process.
Some doctors put magnets into the dressings over fractures. In fact, one veterinarian I know, who broke his ankle after falling from a horse, reported following this strategy on himself.
Increased Athletic Endurance and Performance For years, magnetic therapy has been used around the world on race horses to heal injuries and enhance performance. Doug Hannum, owner of the Equine Therapy Center in Camden, South Carolina, employs magnetic blankets along with other natural healing modalities on animals, and professional riders, such as five-time Olympian Bruce Davidson and world championship rider Dorothy Trapp, ship their steeds to Hannum for therapy.Stunning successes with animals have prompted professional athletes to use magnets. The Russians may have been the first in recent athletic history to have adapted magnetic therapy to foster greater athletic strength and achievement. Today, many notable American athletes embrace this technology as well. Denver Bronco linebacker Bill Romanowski revitalized his aching body by sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad. Yankee pitcher Irabu plays with dozens of magnets stuck to his body. Top golfer Jim Colbert endorses magnets. And professional football player Steve Atwinter, a seven-time pro-bowler, says, "I am not waiting for scientists to bless it. I only know it works." Even high schools are turning to magnetic therapy to improve athletic performance.
Although the effect of increased endurance and performance is known, the cause is not definitively understood. It is felt that magnetic energy warms up the muscles and joints so that performance is increased. At least as important, serious injuries are reduced. In addition, it is known that magnetic energy increases blood flow to the muscles, thereby increasing strength at these work sites.
Specific UsesIn addition to its general benefits, biomagnetic therapy may help a variety of specific conditions. This is not to say that magnets will cure absolutely, irreversibly, and indefinitely. How much good they do varies from person to person and depends upon such factors as the depth of the problem, how long the condition has been in existence, and how strong the magnet is.
Also, when using magnets for chronic longstanding conditions, where the tissues have not been getting adequate blood flow, you may at first get an exacerbation of symptoms. Some people call this a healing crisis. The discomfort usually passes in 24 to 48 hours. In the meantime, one may wish to take some Tylenol, aspirin, or similar pain-relieving medication to help with the discomfort until the body starts to recover its circulation. One alternative is to decrease the length of time the magnet is worn in the beginning and to gradually increase the time.
When using magnets for healing purposes, the strength should generally be between 100 and 500 gauss. Most treatments employ static magnets. However, when treating fractures, either static or pulsed electromagnets can be useful. Here are some conditions for which magnets can be helpful.
Aging Magnets activate life-promoting enzymatic activity which, in turn, encourages normal cell division. This creates a healthier organism and may then slow down the aging process. Several studies on animals show magnetic therapy to increase lifespan. In order to balance the energy of the organs and glands throughout the body, it has been suggested that one apply magnetic fields to the whole body. Sleeping on a magnetic bed is an excellent way to accomplish this. Drinking magnetized water is another good habit to get into. Additionally, injured or weak areas of the body can be strengthened by applying magnets to these specific sites. Amputations Many amputees suffer from a phenomenon called phantom pain; i.e., they feel pain in a limb that was removed. Many of these patients have vascular problems. Research shows that in many, magnets can improve the flow of blood in the stump and cause phantom pain to go away. Appendicitis A northern or bipolar magnet can be placed over the affected area. In advanced infections, however, you should not hesitate to call a doctor, as this is an emergency situation. Arthritis Magnetic therapy may be one of the most effective methods for achieving relief from arthritis, according to a recent study published in the "Journal of Rheumatology" (November 1997, p. 1200). Placing the north pole of a magnet over an inflamed area on a regular basis may be a key factor in improvement, especially for arthritis in the hands and feet. Magnetic therapy may help reduce bone and tissue degeneration. Asthma and Bronchitis Wearing a strong neodymium magnet over the chest to cover the bronchial tubes and at an equal level on the back may help these conditions. In addition, sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad can be beneficial. It may take several days before breathing returns to normal, and magnets can be worn continuously during that time.Scientific evidence supports the use of magnets in bronchitis, in both adults and children. In his clinical practice, Dr. William Pawluk reported success after a patient of his, who suffered from chronic bronchitis after having been poisoned by mustard gas, used magnet therapy. The use of this treatment resulted in a greater ease of breathing.
Breast Fissures Breast fissures are skin wounds that occur in women who are breastfeeding. Placing magnets over the wounded skin can help the fissure heal more quickly. Burns Magnets can help speed up the healing of all but the most serious burns. They are good to keep around the kitchen for burns received after touching a hot stove or picking up something that is scalding. Magnets should be placed over the site of injury. For slightly more serious burns, the use of magnets may help reduce the need for analgesics to control pain.. Cancer Cells depolarize before becoming metastatic, and so one can speculate on how this approach may have been successful in those clinical cases that have responded to magnet therapy. When using magnets for cancer, remember the following rules of thumb: The magnetic pole used must be negative. The field should be larger than the primary lesion and the gauss greater than 25. Success rate increases if both the gauss and duration are increased. A minimal duration of 20 hours per day for no less than three months is required in most cases. The therapeutic effect is, in part, a result of the negative pole producing alkaline hyperoxia (abundance of oxygen). Cancer cells form their energy by making ATP in an acid anaerobic environment, which is termed acid hypoxia.Russian reports indicate that using magnetic therapy along with chemotherapy increases success in the treatment of brain tumors. Patients given magnetic therapy were less sick than patients who did not receive it, and they recovered more quickly. They also had fewer problems with their adrenal glands, which chemotherapy can sometimes affect.
Since the amount of information available on magnetic therapy with cancer is so limited, and since cancer is such a serious condition, one should never consider magnets as a sole therapy.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Magnets can be applied to the front and back of the wrist to help this hard-to-heal condition. While the symptoms can be controlled with the help of magnets, one should not expect the condition to be automatically cured. Cervicitis The Russians have designed magnets for intravaginal use to alleviate chronic cervicitis. They are placed in the vagina, next to the cervix. While this method may be useful for chronic cervicitis, it probably should not be used for acute infections, such as yeast infections. Circulatory Problems One can place magnetic strips along the forearm and sleep on a magnetic pad at night. Depression When magnets are placed over the head, they can help lift one's mood and promote relaxation. Dermatitis As magnets decrease swelling of any kind, they can be placed over any area of inflamed, red, itchy skin with favorable results. Ear Pain Magnets can be placed over the painful site. Medical advice should also be sought, though, particularly for children. Endometriosis This painful condition causes little blood spots inside the pelvis and is characterized by tissue irritation, inflammation, and pain. Women with infertility problems often suffer from this. Benefit can be realized through magnetic therapy, although it might take several months. In one study, good results were seen when 250-gauss magnets were placed over the lower abdomen for six to 12 hours. Fibromyalgia One should sleep on a magnetic mattress pad and use a magnetic pillow. Magnets can also be placed over painful areas during the day. Foot and Leg Problems Magnetic insoles will increase circulation and help conditions such as numbness, burning, aches, restlessness, and leg cramps. In addition, one should sleep on a magnetic mattress pad. Head Injuries Head injuries, even mild ones, can leave people with chronic, debilitating problems, many of which show up years later as headaches, memory disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, eye problems, irritability, or other symptoms. Magnets placed around the head and neck can correct the electrical imbalance precipitated by the injury. Heart Disease A neodymium magnet worn over the heart may assist the body in healing itself, and may, in time, allow one to lessen or discontinue medications. Of course, one should always follow a physician's advice.Some of the effects of magnets on circulatory function are greater blood vessel dilation and increased oxygenation of tissues. Biomagnetic therapy may also improve vascular resistance and decrease the stickiness of blood platelets. People with a peripheral vascular disorder and arteriosclerosis may therefore benefit from magnetic therapy. Biomagnetic therapy may also undo blockages throughout the body, such as in the vessels of the lower extremities, the arteries in the neck, and the blood vessels in the hands and arms. By opening up a blockage in the heart, magnets may help prevent or improve ischemic heart disease, angina, and heart attacks.
Muscle Spasms One of the major actions of magnets is to decrease spasms in muscles. If you pull a back muscle or you're under a lot of stress, those muscles may tighten up. Placing small round magnets or little block magnets over those areas can make a significant difference.Dr. Pawluk* reports additional relief when acupuncture meridians are stimulated with magnets: "In some patients, myself included, I've placed a magnetic pad over the sacral area because it hits the bladder meridian going up the back. The bladder meridian controls the energy flowing through the muscles, all the way up and down the back, including, to some extent, the shoulders. If you increase the energy flow along the bladder area, it will help a muscle problem or tension up into the shoulders."
Muscle Strains and Sprains and Joint Pain Dr. Pawluk* reports success after applying a magnet over the site of a torn muscle: "While playing with the family dog, I tore a muscle in my calf. It was very painful. I covered the area with a large magnetic pad, one that was probably 8 x 10 inches wide. And I wrapped an Ace bandage around that. I wore that for three days. It made a significant improvement in the pain and discomfort and reduced the bruising around the tissues."Local applications are appropriate for these types of problems. Wear the magnet for several hours, and then take a break from it. Either wear the magnet all day and take it off during the night or vice versa. The same rule applies to joint pain. A magnet can be taped over the joint for a set period of time. Additional benefit can be derived if magnets are placed over corresponding acupuncture points.
Inexpensive Radio Shack magnets can be very effective when worn over the site of a local strain or sprain.
Neuritis The Russians performed a study of 39 neuritis patients on medication alone, and an equal number on medicine plus magnetic treatments. Magnets were placed along the spine, even though the neuropathy may have been experienced in the arms. The assumption was that some of the information processing originated in the spine. Therefore, treating the spine would be reflected in improvement in the arms. The experiment found a great degree of improvement in both groups, but particularly in the group receiving medication plus magnetic treatment. Pain was reduced and nerve reflexes improved. Post-Polio Syndrome Recently, a study was performed examining the effect of bipolar magnets on post-polio syndrome, a condition characterized by muscle tenderness and pain in patients who have had polio. The condition occurs years after the original damage from the polio virus. Application of magnets to these tender, painful spots was shown to alleviate pain in this double-blind placebo-controlled study, the results of which were published in the November 1997 issue of the "Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation". Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnets act as an anti-inflammatory, and therefore help some chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Surgery Some studies have shown that using magnets for 24 to 48 hours before surgery, over the site where the incision will be made, results in better post-operative recovery. Additionally, wearing magnets over a wound after the sutures have been put in can also speed up healing. Length of ExposureIn many studies using magnets, patients experience favorable results with intermittent use as opposed to continual wear. In other research and clinical experience, conditions are alleviated when magnets are worn full-time. This raises questions for further research: Should magnets be worn all the time or should they be worn for certain intervals? Should the length of time they are worn vary from condition to condition or person to person?
Dr. Pawluk* asserts that research shows that if magnets are worn all the time, the body may adapt to the field and establish a new level of homeostasis. This can be compared, Pawluk explains, to walking into a room that has the scent of flowers. After one is there awhile, the smell becomes imperceptible. The body may, therefore, need a periodic time-off from magnets.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDSIn the twenty-first century, medicine will change from a field dominated by chemistry and surgery to one that promotes the body's own healing ability, and biomagnetic therapy will surely play a big part in this shift. At present, while magnetism's ability to alleviate a variety of conditions is well-documented, we do not completely understand how this happens. So more basic research is needed. We need, too, to provide greater knowledge about how to manipulate magnets for the best effects. As we increase both our scientific and clinical understanding, skeptics in the medical community will be won over to this vitally important healing modality.
A burgeoning field of inquiry involves methods of slowing the aging process. Anti-aging research to date has focused on medicinal herbs, hormones, and nutrients that enhance health but do not necessarily lengthen the genetically determined lifespan. A popular belief has been that each cell has a figurative biological clock that predetermines senescence and maximum lifespan. For years, scientists have tried to identify the exact nature of this clock, and recently, they seem to have done so. It seems that each time a normal cell divides it loses small portions of the ends of its chromosomes, which are regions called telomeres. When telomeres are shortened to a certain critical length, the cell can no longer divide. This results in the cell growing old and eventually dying.
Part of this divisional activity requires bonding of proteins to each other through a process known as hydrogen bonding. It is known that hydrogen bonds are influenced by magnetic fields, and there is a possibility that magnetic fields can be used to affect hydrogen bonding in a way that will reset the biological clock.
Another factor in aging is a decrease in the production of the hormone DHEA. It is known that magnetic energy can influence hormone production from the pineal gland. It will be interesting to determine if this therapy can influence the production of DHEA, with a resultant slowing of the aging process.®PG¯
*Dr. William Pawluk can be reached at:
William Pawluk, MD
P.O. Box 366
325 Centerton Road
Rancocas, NJ 08073
609-267-9085, Fax 609-267-8615
wpaw@home.comDr. Pawluk's Book on Magnetic Therapy:
Magnetic Therapy in Eastern Europe: Review of 30 Years of Research
by J. Jerabek & William Pawluk, MD
Published 1998Where to Get Magnetic Products
Albert Roy Davis Research Labs
American Health Service
694 S. Waukegan Rd., Dept. F
Lake Forest, IL 60045
1-800-544-7521Ameriflex, Inc.®MDNM
232 NE Lincoln St., Suite G
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-640-0810
Fax: 503-640-0517Bio-Magnetics
Attn.: Larry Molnar
P.O. Box 223
Bowie, AZ 85605
602-847-2209Body Magnetics
871 Thrall Avenue
Suffield, CT 06078
203-231-2377Breakthrough Media, Inc
5065 SW 153rd Avenue
Beaverton, OR 97007
800-321-5641Dendee International
Dennis & Delores Mosher
P.O. Box 106
Clearlake, IA 50428
515-357-7893Emerson Worldwide
www.emersonww.comEnviro-Tech Products
Dr. William or Katherine Philpott
or Len or Joyce Lothrup
17171 SE 29th St.
Choctaw, OK 73020
800-445-1962
405-390-3499
Fax: 405-390-2968His Way Magnetic Health Products
Route 30 Mall
Clementon, NJ 08021
800-307-9991HSW Systems
Russell Hojnowski
P.O. Box 68127
Virginia Beach, VA 23471
800-793-3757
http://www.soul-utions.comInterceptor Industries
Bio-Magnetic Products
P.O. Box 827
Lake Orion, MI 48361
888-736-8811Japan Life
(multilevel marketing company)
One Executive Drive
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
201-944-7790
Fax: 201-944-5507LHASA Medical, Inc.
539 Accord Station
Accord, MA 02018-0539
800-722-8775
617-335-6484
Fax: 617-335-6296Magna-Pak, Inc.
P.O. Box 27106
London, Ontario
Canada N5X 3X5
MagneTherapy Products
4926 Indian Springs Ct.
Plant City, FL 33565
813-757-0508
813-757-6770MagnetiCo, Inc.
Dr. Dean Bonlie
#107, 5421 11th St N.E.
Calgary, Alberta T2E 6M4 Canada
800-265-1119
403-730-0883Magnetic Health Products
5 Burns Street
Byron Bay, 2481 UK
066-857-842 (tel./fax)Magnetic Therapeutic Technologies, Inc.
1915 Peters Road, Suite 308
Irving, Texas 75061
PH# 972-721-9227
FAX# 972-721-1279
TOLL FREE # 800-371-1113
web site: www.mplusmagnet.com
email: mttjim@mplusmagnet.comMagnetic Wellness Centers
9711 Montgomery Rd.
Cincinattti, OH 45242
800-484-7964 (code 1956)Magnet-X Corporation
#8, 2180 Pegasus Way
Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M5 Canada
800-667-0000
403-291-3090Mid-American Marketing
PO Box 124
Eaton, OH 45320
1-800-922-1744
219-749-6666
Fax: 513-456-5424NeuroMagnetic Systems
William or Leane Roffey-Orlando
999 E. Basse Rd., Suite 180
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-824-5352Nikken, Inc.
(multilevel marketing company)
10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 250
Los Angeles, CA 90024
800-669-8859
310-446-4300Norso Biomagnetics, Inc.
Jim Sauder
4105 Starboard Court
Raleigh, NC 27613
800-480-8601
919-783-5911
919-781-8374Oriental Medical Supplies, Inc.
1950 Washington Street
Braintree, MA 02184
800-323-1839
617-331-3370
Fax: 617-335-5770Planetary Herbal Products
Box 7145
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
800-464-1233Post International
P.O. Box 788
Roy, WA 98580
206-843-1321PsychoPhysics Labs
Dr. Buryl Payne
4264 Topsail Ct.
Soquel, CA 95073
408-462-1588Quantum Magnetics
Magnet Relief Products
2602 South Dixie Highway, Suite 7
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
800-525-0644
561-832-9971.R.D.G. Technologies, Inc
Bill Roper
913 9th Terrace
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
407-625-0462Walter C. Rawls (for information and books)
P.O. Box 655
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
904-264-8564SBJ Enterprises
4036 W. Grand Blanc Road #800
Swartz Creek, MI 48472
810-750-8484Tengam
Tom Nellessen
4957 Bittrich-Antler Road
Dear Park, WA 99006
509-276-2054Dr. John Zimmerman
Additional Reading The Anatomy of Biomagnetism
2490 W. Moana Ln.
Reno, NV 89509
702-827-9099
(Dr. Zimmerman provides a comprehensive information package on over two dozen companies selling therapeutic magnetic products, ranging from the two largest, Nikken and Japan Life, all the way to mom-and-pop operations that sell far less. Some that he recommends highly are Nikken, Magnet Therapy, Inc. (also called Tectonics), and Magnet Relief. The latter is particularly noteworthy for its well-designed magnetic pads. His packet costs $10, which helps to provide support for the Bio-Electro-Magnetics Institute to carry on its research.)
By Albert Roy Davis, Ph.DThe Art of Magnetic Healing
By SantwaniBiomagnetic Handbook: A Guide to Medical Magnets: The Energy of Tomorrow
By William H. Philpott, M.D. and Sharon TaplinThe Body Electric: Electromagnetism and The Foundation of Life
By Robert O. Becker, M.D., and Gary SeldonThe Body Magnetic
By Dr. Buryl PayneThe Book of Magnetic Healing & Treatments
By Noel C. NorrisThe Cancer Cure that Worked: Fifty Years of Suppression
By Barry Lynes with John CraneCross Currents
By Robert O. BeckerDiscovery of Magnetic Health: A Health Care Alternative
By George J. Washnis and Richard Z. HircakThe Electric Wilderness
By Andrew Marino and Joel RayElectromagnetic Pollution Solution
By Glen SwartoutGetting Started in Magnetic Healing
By Dr. Buryl PayneHealing Magnetism
By Heinz SchieglMagnet Therapy
By Holger HannemannMagnetic Therapy in Eastern Europe: Review of 30 Years of Research
by J. Jerabek & William Pawluk, MD
Published 1998The Magnetic Blueprint of Life
By Albert Roy Davis and Walter C. Rawls, Jr.The Magnetic Effect
By Albert Roy Davis and Walter C. Rawls, Jr.Magnetic Field Therapy Handbook
By R. Allen WallsMagnet Therapy: Balancing Your Body's Energy Flow for Self-Healing
By Holger HannemanMagnet Therapy Theory and Practice
By Dr. Neville S. BengaliMagnetic/Oxygen Answer for Infection and Toxicity
By William H. Philpott, M.D.Magnetism and its Effect on the Living System
By Albert Roy Davis and Walter C. Rawls, Jr.Medical Magnets: Nature's Healing Energy
By Barbara GordonThe Secret of Life: Cosmic Rays and Radiations of Living Beings
By Georges LakhovskyTerminal Shock: The Health Hazards of Video Display Terminals
By Bob DemattoYour Complete Guide to TENS
By Barbara GordonVibrational Medicine: New Choices for Healing Ourselves
By Richard GerberThe Zapping of America: Microwaves, Their Deadly Risk, and the Coverup
PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
By Paul Brodeur
Gary's
Web HintClick the number at the end of each paragraph in this section to see the relevant endnote.
Following are descriptions of recent studies, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, on the impact of treatment with magnetic fields on a variety of conditions.
Alzheimer's Disease
1
This article reports on two Alzheimer's patients who experienced significant improvement in visual memory and drawing performance following the external application of electromagnetic fields ranging from 5 to 8 Hz. Improvements were also seen in other cognitive functions, including spatial orientation, mood, short-term memory, and social interactions.Noting that the disorganization of circadian rhythm (the daily biological clock) may be causally related to memory deterioration in old age and possibly to Alzheimer's disease, this article argues that the use of magnetic fields could lead to memory improvement among the elderly by means of resynchronization, or resetting, of the circadian rhythms.
2Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
3
This article reports on three patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who experienced beneficial effects following treatment consisting of three sessions per week of pulsed magnetic fields administered via a Magnobiopulse apparatus. Patients received upwards of 75 total sessions prior to achieving maximum recovery.Ankle Sprain
Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study indicated that treatment with two 30-minute sessions of noninvasive pulsed radiofrequency therapy is effective in significantly decreasing the time required for edema reduction in patients suffering from lateral ankle sprains.4Arthritis
5
This study found that 3 hours of exposure to a 50-Hz magnetic field significantly inhibited experimentally induced inflammation and suppressed arthritis in rats.This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of pulsed electrical fields administered over a period of 4 weeks in the treatment of arthritis of the hand. Results showed significant clinical improvement in patients receiving the therapy relative to controls.
7In this general review article on the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis with magnetic fields, the authors state that an alternating low-frequency magnetic field (30-40 mT) from such generators as "Polius-1" and "Polius-101" improves the clinical state of afflicted joints. Such treatments are normally carried out for 30 minutes per day over a period of 15 to 20 days.
8This study examined the effects of magnetolaser therapy either itself or in combination with conventional drugs in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Magnetolaser therapy involved the use of an AMLT-01 device and consisted of 6-minute exposures daily over a total of 14 days. Results showed a marked improvement following the first 3 days of magnetolaser therapy, with the strongest positive effects experienced by patients characterized as suffering from mild to moderate levels of the disease. At the end of the magnetolaser therapy course, 90 percent of patients showed improvement.
9This study examined the effects of low-frequency magnetic fields (from a "Polius-1" device) in patients 7 to 14 years old suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment consisted of 10 daily exposures of 10 to 12 minutes each. Results showed beneficial effects in 58, 76, and 37 percent of patients in each of three experimental groups.
10This study examined the effects of low-frequency and constant magnetic fields in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis. Low-frequency magnetic fields were shown to produce beneficial effects in patients with both stage I and II rheumatoid arthritis and with osteoarthrosis deformans, especially with respect to the wrists, knees, and ankles
.11Blepharitis (infection of the eyelid)
12
Results of this study indicated that the use of an alternating magnetic field in conjunction with a magnetic ointment containing reduced iron powder had beneficial effects in patients with chronic blepharitis.Bone Fractures
This study examined the effects of bone grafting and pulsed electromagnetic fields on a group of 83 adults with ununited fractures. Results showed a successful healing rate of 87 percent in the 38 patients originally treated with bone grafts and PEMF for ununited fractures with wide gaps, synovial pseudarthrosis, and malalignment. A healing rate of 93 percent was shown among the 45 patients who had initially been unsuccessfully treated with PEMF alone and had bone-grafting and were re-treated with pulsing electromagnetic fields.14This study examined the effects of pulsing electromagnetic fields on 125 patients suffering from ununited fractures of the tibial diaphysis. Results showed a healing rate of 87 percent.
15Results of this study showed treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields resulted in an overall success rate of at least 75 percent in patients suffering from tibial lesions.
16This review article makes the following observations with respect to the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields in treating ununited fractures, failed arthrodeses, and congenital pseudarthroses. The treatment has been shown to be more than 90 percent effective in adult patients. In cases where union does not occur with PEMFs alone after approximately four months, PEMF treatment coupled with fresh bone grafts ensures a maximum failure rate of only 1 to 1.5 percent. For those with delayed union three to four months following fracture, PEMFs appear to be more successful than in patients treated with other conservative methods. For more serious conditions, including infected nonunions, multiple surgical failures, long-standing atrophic lesions, failed knee arthrodeses after removal of infected prostheses, and congenital pseudarthroses, PEMF treatment has exhibited success in most patients.
17Results of this study found that 35 of 44 nonunited scaphoid fractures 6 months or older healed in a mean time of 4.3 months during pulsed electromagnetic field treatment using external coils and a thumb spica cast.
18This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields in femoral neck fracture patients undergoing conventional therapy. PEMF treatment was started within two weeks of fracture, and patients were instructed to make use of the electromagnetic device for 8 hours per day over a 90-day period. Results showed beneficial effects relative to controls after 18 months of follow-up.
19This review article on pulsing electromagnetic fields in the treatment of bone fracture observes that the surgically noninvasive outpatient method approved by the FDA in 1979 produced confirmed end results in 1007 ununited fractures and 71 failed arthrodeses, with an overall success rate at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center of 81 percent; an international success rate of 79 percent, and a success rate with other patients in the U.S. of 76 percent.
22Results of this double-blind study showed significant healing effects of low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields in patients treated with femoral intertrochanteric osteotomy for hip degenerative arthritis.
25In this study, 147 patients with fractures of the tibia, femur, and humerus who had failed to benefit from surgery received treatment with external skeletal fixation in situ and pulsed electromagnetic fields. Results indicated an overall success rate of 73 percent. Femur union was seen in 81 percent and tibia union in 75 percent.
26This study examined the effects of extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic fields (1-1000 Hz, 4 gauss) on new bone fractures of female patients. Results led the authors to suggest that EMF treatment accelerates the early stages of fracture healing.
27This study examined the preventive effects of low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields against delayed union in rat fibular osteotomies and diaphyseal tibia fractures in humans. Results indicated such treatment modulated and accelerated fracture union in both groups.
29This article discusses the cases of two children with bone malunion following lengthening of congenitally shortened lower legs. Pulsed sinusoidal magnetic field treatment was beneficial for both patients.
30Results of this study showed that 13 of 15 cases of long-bone nonunion treated with pulsed electromagnetic fields in combination with Denham external fixator united within several months.
31Results of this study found electromagnetic field stimulation to be an effective treatment for nonunion among a group of 37 French patients.
32Results of this study found treatment induced pulsing to be beneficial in patients suffering from nonunions unresponsive to surgery.
33In this interview with Dr. C. Andrew L. Bassett, a physician researching the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields for the past 30 years at Columbia University's Orthopedic Research Lab, Dr. Bassett notes that approximately 10,000 of the 12,000-plus orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. have used pulsed electromagnetic fields on at least one patient. Many such surgeons have incorporated the therapy on a more regular basis. He estimates that a total of at least 65,000 patients nationwide have received the treatment, with a probable success rate of between 80 and 90 percent. Use of the treatment has been primarily in patients suffering from nonunited fractures, fusion failures, and pseudoarthrosis.
34Results of this study showed pulsed electromagnetic fields to have beneficial healing effects in patients suffering from difficult to treat and surgically resistant bone nonunions.
35This review article notes that the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields began in 1974, and that 250,000 nonunion patients have received the treatment since. The author argues that success rates are comparable to those of bone grafting, and that PEMF treatment is more cost-effective and free of side effects. The FDA approved PEMF use in 1982, although it remains widely unused due to physician misunderstanding and lack of knowledge concerning the treatment.
36This 7-year study examined data on more than 11,000 cases of nonunions treated with pulsed electromagnetic fields for up to 10 to 12 hours per day. Results indicated an overall success rate of 75 percent.
37This study examined the effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (1-1000 Hz) on middle-aged female patients suffering from fresh radius fractures. Results showed significant increases in scintimetric activity surrounding the fracture area after two weeks of EMF treatment relative to controls.
38This study examined the effects of constant magnetic fields in patients suffering from fractures. Results showed that magnetic exposure reduced pain and the onset of edema shortly after trauma. Where edema was already present, the treatment exhibited marked anti-inflammatory effects. The strongest beneficial effects occurred in patients suffering from fractures of the ankle joints.
39Results of this study found that 10 hours per day of electromagnetic stimulation (1.0-1.5 mV) produced complete union in 23 of 26 patients receiving the treatment for nonjoined fractures.
40This review article looks at the history of pulsed electromagnetic fields as a means of bone repair. The author argues that success rates have been either superior or equivalent to those of surgery, with PEMF free of side effects and risk.
41Bronchitis
42
Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study indicated that both low-frequency electromagnetic field treatment and treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields proved effective in patients suffering from chronic bronchitis when coupled with standard drug therapies. Magnetic field treatment consisted of a total of 15 15-20-minute daily exposures.Cancer
Results of this study found that prolonged exposure to a 7-tesla uniform static magnetic field for a period of 64 hours inhibited growth of three human tumor cell lines in vitro.43This study examined the effects of a rotational magnetic field on a group of 51 breast cancer patients. Results showed a significant positive response in 27 of them.
44Results of this study indicated that exposure to a rotational magnetic field inhibited Walker's carcinoma tumor growth as much as 90 percent in some cases.
45Results of this study indicated that pulsed magnetic field stimulation increased the incorporation of antitumor agents into cells, and thus increased antitumor activity shifting the cell cycle to a proliferative from a nonproliferative phase.
46Results of this study found that 20-30 sessions of magnetotherapy administered preoperatively exhibited antitumor effects in patients suffering from lung cancer.
47This study examined the effects of microwave resonance therapy (MRT) in patients suffering from various forms of cancer. Results showed that MRT treatment prior to surgery reduced the spread of cancer-associated conditions and reduced the risk associated with surgery in 87 percent of patients. MRT applied postoperatively had beneficial effects in 68 percent.
50Results of this study proved that the combination of weak pulsed electromagnetic fields with antioxidant supplementation is beneficial in the treatment of patients suffering from tongue cancer, improving speech, pain control, and tolerance to chemotherapy.
51Results of this controlled study indicated that treatment with a constant magnetic field significantly improved long-term (3-year) survival time in patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer of the throat. Constant magnetic field therapy consisted of the application of 300 mT for 30 minutes to tumor and metastasizing regions immediately prior to each irradiation.
52Results of this Russian study indicated that the use of whole body eddy magnetic fields, coupled with more conventional cancer therapies (including magnetotherapy) is effective in the treatment of patients suffering from a variety of different malignancies.
53This article reports on the case of a 48-year-old-woman with breast cancer who was treated successfully with magnetotherapy. Infiltration showed a marked decrease following 30 whole body exposures to an eddy magnetic field for 60 minutes. One metastatic node disappeared while the size of others was reduced following 60 such exposures. A total regression of tumor and metastases was seen following the completion of a course of 110 exposures.
54This study examined the effects of whole body magnetic fields (16.5-35 G, 50-165 Hz) on patients suffering from different forms of cancer. Treatment consisted of 15 cycles, each 1-20 minutes in duration, and was coupled with more traditional cancer therapies. Results showed that the magnetotherapy had overall beneficial effects, particularly with respect to improved immune status and postoperative recovery.
55Cardiovascular/Coronary Heart Disease
Results of this study found that the addition of magnetotherapy to the treatment of patients suffering from ischemic heart disease and osteochondrosis led to clinical improvements.57Results of this study involving 23 parasystolic children found that low-frequency magnetic field exposure improved humoral and cellular processes involved in the regulation of cardiac rhythm.
58The authors of this study report on their development of a polymagnetic system called Avrora-MK-01 used to administer impulse magnetic fields to diseases of the leg vessels. Results indicated positive effects on peripheral capillaries in 75-82 percent of patients receiving the treatment at a pre-gangrene stage.
59Results of this study showed exposure to low-frequency alternating magnetic fields had beneficial effects in children with primary arterial hypertension, as seen in the attenuation of sympathetic and vagotonic symptoms.
60This study demonstrated that traveling pulsed magnetic field and magnetic laser treatment produced beneficial effects in patients suffering from the initial stages of essential hypertension.
61In this article, the authors propose a new approach to treating atherosclerosis through the alteration of biophysical properties both intracellularly and extracellularly. Citing their own preliminary data, they suggest atherosclerotic lesions might be selectively resolved without harming normal blood vessels allowing the lesions to take up the magnetically excitable submicron particles and then applying an external alternating electromagnetic field.
62This study examined the effects of constant MKM2-1 magnets on essential hypertension patients. Results indicated the treatment decreased arterial pressure in stage II patients, with magnetotherapy being shown to produce beneficial effects on the central hemodynamics and microcirculation.
63Results from several recent studies conducted the author are reviewed. Conclusions are that pulsed electromagnetic fields exhibit protective effects against necrosis from acute ischemia in rats, cerebral infarcts in rabbits, and myocardium infarcts in rats.
64This study examined the effects of extremely high frequency electromagnetic radiation (EHF EMR) in 93 patients suffering ischemic heart disease. EHF treatment consisted of 10 to 15 exposures of the lower end of the sternum from a 'Yav'-1-7,1 device. Treatment was performed five times weekly for a total of 30 minutes per day, with drug therapy being maintained during this period. Positive results tended to occur after 5 to 6 treatment sessions, with a good or satisfactory response being reported in 82 of 93 patients, and lasting as long as 11 months after hospital release.
65This review article concerning the clinical application of electromagnetic fields notes that microwave therapy has been shown to improve local circulation and vascular tone, increase the volume of functional capillaries, lower hypertension, stimulate protein and carbohydrate metabolism, stimulate the pituitary-adrenal system, produce anti-inflammatory effects, and improve digestive organ function. Studies have shown decimeter wave therapy capable of stimulating the secretory function of the stomach, as well as blood circulation, respiratory function, and the immune system. Side effects have been reported in both human and animal studies.
67In this study, 30 myocardial infarction patients received millimeter-wave (MW) therapy in the form of 10 exposures of 30 minutes per day, with a 2-day interruption after the fifth exposure. Patients continued conventional drug treatment during the MW therapy period. Better results were seen in those patients exposed to the MW therapy relative to an equal number of patients receiving conventional treatment only.
68This study examined the effects of millimeter wave therapy in approximately 450 patients suffering from a variety of diseases, including those of the musculoskeletal, digestive, pulmonary, and nervous systems. Treatment consisted of 25-30 minutes per day using the "Porog-1" apparatus and generally lasted for a period of up to 10 days. Results showed positive effects in over 87 percent of the patients.
69Results of this study found that the use of magnetophore therapy (constant magnets applied to adrenal regions 10 hours per day for 15 days) significantly improved symptoms associated with hypertension in about 35 percent of patients studied, with mild improvement seen in 30 percent, and no improvement in 35 percent. Patients receiving decimeter-band waves (460 MHz, field intensity of 35-45 W, for 10-15 minutes per day for a total of 15 days) experienced similar results.
70Results of this placebo-controlled study demonstrated a 76-percent effectiveness rate for running impulse magnetic field therapy in a group of arterial hypertensive patients. Treatment consisted of two 25-minute exposures per day over a period of 10-20 total exposures, at frequencies of 10 or 100 Hz and magnetic field intensity of 3 or 10 mT
.71This study examined the efficacy of the reinfusion of autologous blood following magnetic field exposure in hypertensive patients. Positive effects were found in 92 percent of patients receiving the treatment
.73This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of magnetotherapy in patients suffering from first- or second-stage hypertension. A magnetic field of 50 Hz, 15-25 mT was applied to acupuncture points He-Gu and Shen'-Men for 15-20 seconds per day for a total of 9-10 days. Results: The treatment improved headaches in 88 percent of patients, dizziness in 89 percent, and irritability in 88 percent. In general, 95 percent of hypertensive patients experienced beneficial effects from the treatment, and the morbidity rate decreased twofold following one course extended over a period of 5-6 months.
74This placebo-controlled study examined the effects of constant and of running magnetic fields in patients suffering from stage II hypertension. Results found that constant magnetic fields exhibited benefits in 68 percent of patients treated, and running magnetic fields were helpful in 78 percent. Only 30 percent of controls showed improvement. Constant magnetic field treatment consisted of constant magnets applied to the inner side of the wrist on each hand for 35-40 minutes daily over a period of 7-10 days. Running magnetic field treatment involved the use of a "Alimp-1" apparatus for 20 minutes per day for a total of 12-15 days.
76This double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that magnetotherapy was effective in the treatment of symptoms associated with stage II hypertension, such as headache, dizziness, and cardiodynia. The therapy consisted of permanent circular magnets (16 mT) applied to the inner forearm for 30-45 minutes per day over a period of 10 sessions.
77This controlled study examined the effects of magnetotherapy in patients suffering from neurocirculatory hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure). Treatment consisted of a running pulsed magnetic field generated an "ALIMP" device (0.5 mT, 300 Hz) administered for 20 minutes per day over a course of 10 days. Patients suffering from hypotension did not benefit significantly from the magnetotherapy. Hypertension patients, however, showed a marked improvement with respect to symptoms including headache, chest pain, extremity numbness, abnormal systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and work capacity.
80This double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that low-frequency, low-intensity electrostatic fields (40-62 Hz) administered for 12-14 minutes per day helped normalize blood pressure in patients suffering from hypertension.
81This study examined the effects of low-frequency alternating magnetic fields in patients suffering from arteriosclerosis or osteoarthrosis deformans. Treatment involved 10-15 minute daily leg exposures over a total of 15 days. Results showed the treatment to be effective in 80 percent of arteriosclerosis patients and 70 percent of those with osteoarthrosis deformans.
82This study examined the effects of low-frequency magnetic fields (25 mT) in patients suffering atherosclerotic encephalopathy. Treatment involved 10-15 minute daily exposures over a total of 10-15 applications. Results showed clinical improvements with respect to chest pain, vertigo, headache, and other symptoms.
83Chronic Venous Insufficiency
This study examined the effects of alternating magnetic fields (15-20 minutes per day over a period of 20 days) in patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, and trophic shin ulcers. Results showed good effects in 236 of the 271 patients receiving the treatment. Thirty-four patients reported satisfactory effects. Only one patient experienced no effects.85This review article notes that magnetotherapy in a variety of forms has been successfully used in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and is a commonly used physical therapy for the condition.
86This study examined the effects of running impulse magnetic fields in patients suffering from vessel obliteration diseases of the legs. Treatment consisted of 15-20 whole body exposures (0.5-5 mT, 1-2 Hz) lasting 15-20 minutes each. Results showed treatment led to a significant reduction in the number of patients experiencing leg pain while at rest. Among patients previously unable to walk a 500-m distance, 52 percent were able to complete the distance following treatment. Circulation improved in 75-82 percent of patients.
87Dental Problems
This placebo-controlled study examined the effects of micromagnets in the treatment of periodontal disease. Micromagnets were attached to the skin over areas of inflammation for a period ranging from 1 to 8 days, with the number of magnets used at once varying from 1 to 6. The course of treatment lasted as long as 4 weeks. Results indicated that patients receiving the micromagnet therapy experienced earlier and more trouble-free recoveries following oral surgery, as well as less pain relative to controls.99This controlled study examined the effects of adjunctive Diapulse electromagnetic therapy on oral surgery recovery. Patients received the therapy once per day beginning between 3 to 5 days prior to oral surgery. Therapy was maintained until the point of hospital release. Results found the therapy produced significant healing relative to controls, who received conventional treatment only.
100This study found that patients suffering from various oral diseases experienced more rapid healing when treated with both conventional therapies and 30 minutes per day of pulsed electromagnetic fields (5 mT, 30 Hz), as opposed to conventional therapies alone.
101Depression
This review article examined the literature concerning the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of depression. Results showed the high-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment to be an effective, side-effect free therapy for depression that may hold promise for treating related psychiatric disorders as well.103Noting that there is good reason to believe the pineal gland is a magnetosensitive system and that application of magnetic fields in experimental animals has a similar effect to that of acute exposure to light with respect to melatonin secretion, the authors propose that magnetic treatment could be a beneficial new therapy for winter depression in humans.
104This review article notes that transcranial magnetic stimulation has been shown to elicit antidepressant effects, electically stimulating deep regions of the brain.
105In this theoretical paper, the author argues that deep, low-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation can produce therapeutic effects equivalent to those of electroconvulsive therapy but without the dangerous side effects.
106This study examined the effects of millimeter wave (MW) therapy as a supplemental treatment in patients suffering from various types of depression. MW therapy involved the use of a "Yav'-1" apparatus (5.6 mm wavelength, 53 GHz), and consisted of up to 60 minutes of exposure per day, 2 to 3 times per week, for a total of as many as 15 exposures. Results showed that combined MW/conventional treatment produced a complete recovery in over 50 percent of cases studied, a significant improvement in 41 percent, and some improvement in 8 percent. Recovery rates among controls (conventional treatment only) were 4, 48, and 41 percent, respectively.
108Results of this study led researchers to conclude that patients suffering from major depression experienced a significant reduction of depressive symptoms following treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation coupled with standard medication relative to patients taking the medicine. This was true after just three TMS treatments.
109Dermatitis
This study examined the effects of conventional treatments combined with millimeter wave (MW) therapy (54- to 70-GHz frequency, 8-15 daily exposures of 15-30 minutes each) on patients suffering from atopic dermatitis. Results indicated that the MW therapy was well-tolerated all patients, with the rash generally regressing after 7-8 exposures. Marked recovery was seen among 78 percent of patients receiving the combination treatments. Two-year follow-up showed a 23-percent relapse rate among combination patients, compared to 54 percent among controls.110Diabetes
In this study, 320 diabetics received impulsed magnetic field treatment while 100 diabetics (controls) received conservative therapy alone. Results showed beneficial effects with respect to vascular complications in 74 percent of the patients receiving magnetotherapy combined with conservative methods, compared to a 28-percent effectiveness rate among controls.111This study involving 72 diabetics with purulent wounds found that magnetic fields aided healing significantly.
113Diseases of the Larynx
Results of this study found that alternative magnetic field of sound frequency proved to be an effective treatment in patients suffering from acute inflammatory diseases of the larynx
