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How Magnets Work
to Promote Wellness

This topic is HUGE, and we're going to just touch the tip of the iceberg. Determining how magnets work to promote wellness is a matter of quite some debate. So, let's discuss a few science basics, then some theories on how therapeutic magnets work.

Magnetism Basics:

Remember all the cool experiments you did in school to learn about how magnets work --

--scooting one magnet across the table by bringing another magnet's like pole close to it?
--clumping iron filings to the ends of a horseshoe magnet like a bunch of grapes on a vine?
--"driving" a paper clip across the top of a sheet of paper while you pulled a magnet across the bottom?

Do you remember learning that every object exists within a magnetic field, to one degree or another? OK, well, honestly, I don't remember learning that as a child, but since I've been researching therapeutic magnets, I have "re-learned" it!

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I do recall learning the amazing fact that even the Earth itself is a gigantic magnet!

That characteristic is what causes a compass needle to swing to the north! [I told you we would be getting back to elementary school....]

I recently heard about a woman who didn't know much about how magnets work and was told by her chiropractor to utilize some magnets for her neck - and she went home and literally put a couple of her refrigerator magnets on her neck - needless to say, it wasn't too effective! She has since learned about the difference between therapeutic magnets and her frig magnets.

And just in case you ever wondered also --

the Earth's magnetism is rated at about 0.5 Gauss [a measure of magnetic strength];
refrigerator magnets average around 100 G;
therapeutic magnets typically range from 200 G to 5000 G; and
MRI machines produce anywhere from 200,000 - 450,000 G.

[The effectiveness of therapeutic magnets depends on many criteria, of course, but having the appropriate Gauss strength is crucial!]

Because God created humans from the "dust of the Earth" [Genesis 2:7] - i.e. from the same types of molecules, minerals and "mud" that He had already brought into existence then breathed His Spirit into us - it is logical that we are indeed magnetic beings who will respond to the proper application of therapeutic magnets.

OK, so now I'm getting into a little bit of Sunday School too! But at Discovering Family Wellness, we know that true health and balance nurtures the spirit as well as the body - and that you can't separate those two aspects of our God-breathed humanity.

Body Chemistry Basics:

In understanding how magnets work in the body, we must remember that blood is a living tissue that circulates nutrients, oxygen, etc. through the body. The arteries take the blood away from the heart [remember biology class and how you learned the difference between veins and arteries - arteries = away from the heart].

After delivering all of those lovely nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, the blood returns to the heart via the wonderful vein expressway. [OK, so we're not doctors and this isn't a Harvard Medical School textbook, but you get the drift!]

What we all are sure of is that without this living, moving tissue and the work it does, none of us would be here.

Theories on How Magnets Work to Promote Wellness:

Through my research I have found that there are two main theories behind the effectiveness of therapeutic magnets.

First, is that the magnetism affects the iron/hemoglobin and white blood cells in the bloodstream, causing the fluids in the body to flow, resulting in greater oxygenation of the blood as well as reducing swelling.
The other thought is that therapeutic magnets help to block the pain signals in nerves via electromagnetic signals.

However, a third theory - and the one that makes the most sense to me - is a combination of the two. You can find an in-depth discussion of this topic by the Magnetic Therapy Council. For now, I'll summarize their findings:

Because magnets attract metal - and there is iron in the blood - when therapeutic magnets are utilized - the magnetic field penetrates the tissue and blood stream - which causes improvement in the the blood flow. When that "ebb and flow" is increased, the oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and fluids are more effectively distributed!

Now here's the key - one of the many amazing hormones that is handed to your injury or afflicted area is the hormone endorphin - the body's very own God-given pain-killer!

A "double blind study" about how magnets work by St. Paul's College of Veterinary Medicine, USA, 1995 supports these findings as well. Their researchers found that two critical reactions occur when a magnet is placed on the skin: The soft tissue lengthens and helps to relax the traumatized muscle or ligament. The tissue relaxes, thereby increasing oxygen and nutrient movement through the blood flow.

Proof of this phenomenon has been shown by using thermal imaging. Check out www.thermoguy.com to view some of the fascinating science on how magnets work and their effectiveness.

Generally, the effect of a magnetic field is localized to the area where the therapeutic magnet is placed. However, research shows that when magnets are placed over a major pulse points, such as in the wrist [radial artery] or neck [carotid artery], the greater amount of blood flow results in the magnetic field being carried further throughout the body. [Thus the popularity of magnetic therapy bracelets and necklaces!]

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[Bibliography References: 1; 3; 7; 13; 16; 15; 18]

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