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Magnetic Therapy

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Magnetic Therapy

Probably one of the largest contemporary trends in the therapeutic world is the use of magnetic therapy. However, it is also one of the least researched modalities, and has very little sound explanation for it's effectiveness. Winning over its clientele with testimonials by everyone from doctors to elite athletes, magnets are making a place for themselves in the health and therapeutic fields. This is accomplished by utilizing many different marketing strategies and very little research. "The trend is so lucrative, athletes are adding brand-name magnets to their list of endorsements" (Ruibal, p. 3C). This method of rehabilitation and treatment dates back thousands of years to when they were used by Greek, …show more content…

Magnetic therapy could indeed be a useful rehabilitation technique but is still only a theory due to a lack of experimental evidence (Borsa, p. 150; Livingston p. 26; Vallbona et al. p. 1204). This is often overlooked however. The use of testimonials in the marketing and advertising for these magnets makes it difficult for the common consumer to view this type of therapy objectively. One aspect that is understood, however, are the effect magnetic fields have on our bodies during everyday life. We are constantly being exposed to magnetic fields. Microwaves, power lines, radio waves, refrigerators: these all give off magnetic charges (CSA, 1994; Barnothy p. 123). The earth is surrounded by a magnetic field, which is the reason for the North and South poles (Leonard, 861).
Our bodies too have magnetic fields. According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, magnetic fields from the external environment enter the body easily because it is approximately 70% water. After penetrating into the tissues, a change in the alignment of the body's electromagnetic fields and an interaction with acupuncture points and meridians on the body occurs (Robinson, 1846). Magnetic fields also aids the following functions: cell division and replacement, blood circulation and hemoglobin saturation, flushing of deposits that line the walls of blood vessels and

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