What is
magnetism?
Magnetism is a phenomenon involving
magnetic fields and the effects on other materials exposed to a
magnetic field. A magnetic field is a region of forces that exists
around a magnet. The field can be drawn as a series of curved
lines, called "lines of force", joining the north and south poles
of the magnet. The Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet. Its
magnetic field, caused by electric currents inside the liquid part
of its core, stretches thousands of miles into space.
Fields from both permanent magnets and
electromagnets have the same effect on surrounding objects and are
both referred to as "electromagnetic" fields. The force generated
by an electromagnetic field together with gravity, the weak atomic
force, and the strong atomic force, constitute the four
fundamental forces of nature.
How do
magnetic fields affect the body?
Magnetism affects the human body through
the circulatory system, the nervous system, and the endocrine
system. It is constantly penetrating all particles, right down to
the atom. Magnetism's ordering effect on living systems arises
from the fact that magnetism is a blueprint of life itself. Recent
research indicates that magnetism has a very significant
biological effect on the human body. Following is a list of the
processes believed to take place when the body is exposed to
magnetic fields, which contribute to pain relief and improved
health.
1) Magnetism increases the electrical
conductivity of the blood. Weak current runs through the magnetic
field and the quantity of ions is increased - the ionized blood
circulating throughout the body improves the efficiency of blood
flow, as well as stabilizing blood pressure.
2) Blood contains iron, or ferrous
hemoglobin, which is a carrier of oxygen and carbon dioxide. As
blood circulates through the lungs, fully magnetized ferrous
hemoglobin is able to carry more oxygen to cell tissue as well as
take more carbon dioxide waste from cells back to the lungs for
removal.
3) When tissue is exposed to a magnetic
field, a secondary current is created around the flux lines in the
cells. This ionizes the protoplasm and energies the cell tissue by
activating cell metabolism. Cell functions are strengthened as the
cell metabolism responds to the electrical currents initiated by
the magnetic field. This current can cause muscle spasms to
decrease, as wel as decreasing inflammation of tissue. The
increase in the cell metabolism aids both new cell growth and cell
regeneration.
4) The negative pole energy of a
magnetic field interferes with the ability of nerve cells to
transmit pain impulses to the brain where the pain is registered.
When a negative magnetic field is placed over a nerve, the
positively charged ions of the nerve impulse are attracted to the
negative magnetic field, thereby impeding the flow of the
positively charged ions through the nerves to the brain.
5) Magnetism may work to regulate and/or
normalize hormone secretion in the glands. A theory is that the
increased electrical current being produced by a magnet forms a
'net' around the glands and secretory ducts. Increased
concentration of oxygen stimulates production while the 'net'
optimizes secretion. Normalizing the hormone functions within the
body affects conditions caused by a hormone imbalance. Hormones
are an important factor in rejuvenation and overall energy levels,
while proper circulation ensures that hormone levels are
distributed evenly through out the body.
Recent
Research
Physicist Dr. Buryl Payne has published
in-depth studies on magnetic fields and the body, and is
considered to be an authority on the subject. According to Dr.
Payne, sensitive instruments have allowed scientists to observe
and record some of the ways magnetic fields affect living
organisms - specific factors now known to be involved in magnetic
healing. An increase in blood flow along with the resulting
increase inoxygen carrying capacity, both of which are primary
factors in helping the body heal itself, can be attributed to the
presence of a magnetic field. Magnetic fields can also change the
migration of calcium ions, which can bring calcium ions to heal a
broken bone in half the usual time. The PH balance of body fluids,
which are often out of balance in connection with illness, can
apparently be altered by magnetic fields. The level of hormone
production from the endocrine glands can be changed and enzyme
activity can be altered by magnetic stimulation as well.
Dr. Paynes findings are supported by a
number of studies by other doctors. Dr. Kenneth MacLean, founder
of the Institute of magnetics in New York, has treated cancer
patients described as "hopeless" with powerful magnets. After
studying microscopic cellular changes after the magnetic
treatment, his conclusion was that "exposure to strong magnetic
fields was at least beneficial in every case and harmful in none".
His patients reacted so favorably, in a few cases becoming
virtually pain free, that he has expanded his electromagnetic
treatment.
Researchers in California, at Loma Linda
University's School of Medicine, have found, following studies in
over a dozen countries with over 1,000 patients, that
"low-frequency, low-intensity magnetic energy has been successful
in treating chronic pain related to tissue ischemia, and also
worked in clearing up slow healing ulcers, and in ninety-percent
of patients tested, raised blood flow significantly".
magnetic therapy is receiving coverage
in medical journals as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Trial
studies have been performed on groups of people where half were
treated with electromagnetic fields, and the other half received a
placebo treatment. At the end of the study, the electromagnetic
treatment group indicated improvements over the placebo group in
symptoms including pain, tenderness, and the ability to perform
daily activities.
Peter Gwynne reports in a recent issue
of MIT's Technology Review that "Biomagnetisim is promising to
take a role in medical diagnosis, helping physicians zero in on a
spectrum of ailments ranging from brain disorders to lung disease
to liver conditions". The U.S. Federal Government has invested
several million dollars in magnetic research. Although scientists
state that biomagnetisim is still an experimental science, and not
established as a diagnostic procedure, they do agree that, unlike
many other alternative medicine techniques, biomagnetisim is
non-invasive and not harmful.
Veterinarians have been using magnetic
therapy as a treatment for injury and pain, especially in horses.
Vets and trainers are placing magnetic therapy products around
injured parts of horses. They claim that the healing process is
enhanced by using them. Reputable vets and trainers have noted
positive effects using magnetic therapy as part of the treatment
process.
Negative vs.
Positive Pole (North vs. South)
A current point of contention involving
magnetics is when to use the negative (or north) pole and when to
use the positive (or south) pole. This idea started in the 1930s
with studies done by Davis and Rawls which suggested that exposure
to negative poles enhanced health, while positive poles did not.
Recently, Dr. William Philpott has been supporting this view based
on his own clinical experience. Other researchers claim that
alternating polarity arrangements are more beneficial (having both
poles on the same surface of the magnet). Additionally, some claim
that polarity has no impact on the benefits of magnetic fields.
There are no conclusive clinical studies showing that a particular
polarity is more or less beneficial, but this is an issue that
will probably be more thoroughly studied in the near future.
If you find that you would prefer to use
a specific polarity, keep the following in mind: There are two
conventions of naming the north pole of the magnet: 1) the
traditional, scientific, or navigation way; and 2) the magnetic
therapy way. Using the traditional method, the part of the magnet
that points towards north (such as in a compass) is labeled the
north pole of the magnet. The magnetic therapy method is the
opposite - the pole that opposes the north is labeled the north
pole of the magnet. Strictly speaking, the traditional way is
incorrect, as like poles of separate magnets resist each other -
opposite poles attract. So, the pole of magnet that points north
is, in fact, the south pole of the magnet.
