| Magnets are in popular use for all sorts of problems. | | | | vessels. Less blood means less inflammation. |
| Magnets are seen in back supports, bracelets, and | | | | One challenge to using magnets is the determination of |
| even in shoes. The use of magnets is continuing to | | | | the correct strength for specific tissues. Magnets could |
| grow in popularity. Magnets are even used to help | | | | end up being the first treatment for sports injuries like |
| reduce stress. But what does the research say? Do | | | | sprains or strains. |
| magnets really help to facilitate healing? | | | | Magnets can be thought of as a form of energy |
| Recently research conducted by Thomas Skalak, | | | | healing. The energy comes from the magnetic field. |
| professor and chair of biomedical engineering, and | | | | Other studies have shown that magnets help to |
| Cassandra Morris, a former Ph.D. student in biomedical | | | | alleviate pain in a number of conditions including arthritis |
| engineering at U.Va. looked at the effects of magnets | | | | and fibromyalgia. Magnetite, a natural magnetic material |
| on inflammation. The study was published in the | | | | has been found in the brains of animals and may help |
| November 2007 edition of the American Journal of | | | | them to navigate. Magnetic fields may also help to |
| Physiology. | | | | inhibit pain signals in the brain. |
| The researchers induced inflammation in rats and then | | | | Generally practitioners who use magnets use a |
| used magnets shortly afterward. The swelling and | | | | strength of 1000 to 3000 gauss for chronic diseases |
| inflammation were significantly reduced by the | | | | like arthritis, injuries and aches and pains. For smaller |
| magnets. They used magnets that were about 10 | | | | parts they use magnets with less power of about 500 |
| times stronger than refrigerator magnets which were | | | | gauss. |
| about 10 Tesla. | | | | Magnets are contraindicated for use with pacemakers, |
| They concluded that magnets could be used to treat | | | | implanted defibrillators or when pregnant. There have |
| injuries by reducing inflammation. The magnets work | | | | been many reports of healing with magnets but the |
| much like the more popular modalities such as ice. | | | | use of magnets can be tricky. You have to know |
| Injured tissues become inflamed because blood cells | | | | what strength to use as well as where they should be |
| respond by releasing histamine and heparin. Histamine | | | | placed. Working with an experienced practitioner is |
| dilates the blood vessels while heparin inhibits clotting. | | | | recommended. |
| Both work to bring more blood to the injured area. The | | | | Perhaps someday magnets will be routinely used for |
| magnets help to heal by vasoconstricting the blood | | | | treating inflammation. |