Alternative Healing

Looking At Magnetic Therapy

As magnetic therapy becomes a more popular alternative treatment for many ailments, others point out that there is only personal testimony on its effectiveness. Magnets have been used to treat arthritis, inflammation, muscle tension, migraines, tumors, asthma, allergies, diabetes and many other joint/healing problems. Even though scientific proof may be lacking, magnetic therapy has been used for thousands of years with many attesting to its power.

The history of magnetic therapy can be traced to various ancient cultures including Chinese medical texts, Hindu religious papers, Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. These used magnets to treat many different complaints from arthritis to depression. In modern times people from the ordinary citizen to high pro-file athletes are using magnetic therapy. Magnets can most often be found in the form of jewelry, such as bracelets, that vary in price from $5 to $800. The magnet in this jewelry contains iron, which is said to increase the production of oxygen in the blood stream. Magnets are also credited with stabilizing the nervous system, which eases pain.

Three different studies have supported the efficacy of magnetic therapy. In a study conducted at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, patients were treated with magnets for leg pain caused by post-polio syndrome. The only 18% of the control group that was treated with fake magnets only reported pain relief, while 76% of the treatment group felt relief. In studying pain caused by fibromyalgia, researchers had one group to sleep on magnetic mattresses while the other group did not. Reports showed that the treatment group experienced significant pain relief while the control group did not. The third study involved magnetic footpads to treat diabetic neuraphy (pain or tingling in the foot when suffering from diabetes). Almost 80% of the treated group reported relief from the pain, tingling and numbness from which they had been suffering.

How do the magnets work? When magnets are applied to the skin, the capillary walls relax allowing increased blood flow to the treated area. They also treat muscle tension that causes pain by blocking contractions and electrochemical messages that nerve cells send to the brain. Unlike pain relieving medications, magnets do not have any known negative side effects.

As you delve into using magnets, you should start with lower costing pieces such as an earth metal neodymium-boron coin. Since magnets are measured in gauss (the higher the gauss the greater the pain relief), the typical refrigerator magnet, measuring at 10 gauss, is not strong enough to pass the skin for anything other than a bruise. Medical grade magnets will range from 400 to 10,000 gauss, making them more effective.

The magnet should be placed over the area of pain and secured in some fashion, such as bandages or tape. If there is no relief with a few days, the magnet may need to be repositioned. If no relief is experienced within 3 or 4 weeks, you can probably be assured that magnetic therapy is not for you. You may try a stronger magnet or go with more conventional methods of pain relief.

Common Herbs And Some Specific Uses

DECONGESTANT TEA

Ma Huang		3 parts
Mormon Tea		3 parts
Yerba Santa		3 parts
Coltsfoot Leaves	3 parts
Cubeb Berries		2 parts

Drink frequently as an infusion. If you find it interferes with sleep or makes you jittery, lessen or delete the Ma Huang.

ALLERGY FORMULA

Yerba Mansa	4 parts
Yerba Santa	4 parts
Bayberry	3 parts
Ambrosia	2 parts
Horehound	2 parts
Oregon Grape	1 parts

Mix herbs as tinctures, or tincture 1:5, 60% alcohol.

Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 2 or 3 times a day.

This is for the relief of seasonal allergies and resultant secondary hyper-sensitivities.

alternative healing

GREEN SPIRIT MEDICINE - A center for natural healing offering iridology, herbal consultations, chakra sound balancing, 75 loose herbs, herbal extracts, custom-blended herbal products and supplements. New: crystals, minerals & handmade gemstone ...

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH/HEALING - Barton Chronicle

Reiki Master Rev. Beverly Owen hosts a free Reiki Share on the first Friday of each month at Soft Moon Healing Center, on West Union Street in Newark. Reiki is an Eastern Healing Modality, a Japanese form of alternative healing. Students, graduates ...

Reiki share Friday at - Courier Gazette

The Cambridge mission is to deliver its members the recognition and competitive edge needed to network and do business effectively. OJAI, CA, November 12, 2008 /Cambridge Who's Who/ -- Libby Gustin, President of Be You Healing, has been recognized by ...