Magnetic Therapy is quickly becoming a popular alternative to taking drugs for relief of pain and to promote healing. I was introduced to magnetic therapy in 1992 when my six-month old Mastiff had been accidentally kicked by a horse, leaving her with residual nerve damage in her spine. My vet concluded, after intensive treatment that nothing further could be done to permanently relieve the pain and lameness.
Shortly after the injury, I started working with a vet who favoured alternative medicine. She immediately began treating the dog with magnets and laser therapy. Within a short period of time, the injury healed. Impressed by the result, I applied magnets to heal injuries I received while training horses. ¨And the rest, ¨ as they say, ¨is history¨. These two experiences fostered an ongoing interest in alternative medicine.
Electromagnetic or pulsed magnetic fields have studied with bone fractures and to a degree, soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains. The work and success is well documented and reported in numerous scientific journals since the 1970´s. The FDA approves the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields for the treatment of nonunion bone fractures (fractures that will not heal on their own).
Clinical experience and hundreds of articles substantiate claims of benefit from electromagnetic therapy 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 disease and various types of cancerous conditions.
Magnetism & Electromagnetism
The difference between a fixed magnet and an electromagnetic device is that a fixed magnet emits a magnetic field, and an electromagnetic device gives off an electric and magnetic field. No one claims that "Magnetic Therapy" will work for everyone however there is evidence that 7 out of 10 people experience a beneficial effect. Magnets should never be used by themselves to treat any major disease or medical condition, but rather, should be looked upon as a supportive therapy.
Caution
The literature warns that until further study is done, pregnant women should not use magnets on the abdominal area. However, there is no evidence that using them on shoulders or elbows exposes the fetus unnecessarily.
Similarly, those using pacemakers or electronic implants should not use magnets near the apparatus. Magnets lessen the stickiness of platelets in the blood. If you use a magnet on an actively bleeding wound you may actually increase the blood flow. So, always wait until bleeding has stopped, before applying magnets. NEVER use magnets if you are taking anticoagulants or have a condition that increases the likelihood of bleeding.
Availability
Although I've yet to see them in Mexico, there are a number of health stores in Canada and the U.S. that carry Therapeutic Magnets.
In conclusion, after three and a half years of physiotherapy, three times a week, extensive rehab and pain control clinics, I'm glad I was one of the 7 out of 10 people for whom magnetic therapy worked. Always consult your doctor before using alternative therapies or support treatments.
