Magnets in Healthcare: Magnetic Therapy

What is it? With magnetic therapy continuing to gain widespread popularity, the sales of the magnets used are increasing worldwide. As surprising as it seems, magnets are used in the healthcare sector to deal with quite a few conditions. Magnetic therapy is considered an alternative medical practice that uses motionless magnets to ease pain and other health concerns. Some conditions include: Water retention Pain Rheumatoid arthritis Nerve pain from diabetes Insomnia Schizophrenia OCD Multiple sclerosis Post-traumatic stress disorder Parkinson’s disease In an attempt to ease such conditions, therapeutic magnets are manufactured into bracelets, rings, necklaces, shoe inserts, and also therapeutic magnetic mattresses. How does it work? The initial thought was that the magnetic fields generated within the body may cause disease and therefore, the use of magnets could correct this by bringing the magnetic fields to a normal balanced state. To be more accurate, magnetic therapy is based on the idea that our bodies form an electro-magnetic field that respond to the healing power of magnets. This is because iron makes up around 4% of a human’s blood content, and every ion contained in our cells produces an electrical impulse. Fundamentally, these three elements together, make up an electrical magnetic field within the body. This means when the north side of a magnet (negative) is placed on the sore part of the body, it draws fresh oxygenated blood to that area. In contrast, the fresh oxygenated blood generates a positive energy field, creating a two-pronged result and accelerating healing. When a magnet is placed on the skin the following are likely to happen: The soft tissue around the magnet lengthens and relaxes. This allows a ligament or muscle to relax also, especially if it is damaged in any way. With the relaxation of the tissue comes increased blood flow and oxygen to the distressed muscle and thus the healing process begins. Magnets simply provide a way for the body to speed up its healing processes. Most people like this treatment because it is a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t involve needles or surgery. The treatment is carried out using a magnet on the surface of the skin, meaning it remains painless. How strong are the magnets? How strong are the magnets? The strength of the magnet can be measured in either Tesla or gauss. 10,000 Gauss is equivalent to 1 Tesla. The magnets used in magnetic therapy have a higher strength than regular, everyday household magnets. On the average, ferrite magnets used in magnet therapy products will measure around 800-1100 Gauss on the surface depending on the size of the magnet. What are the benefits? Additionally, it’s clear that magnetic therapy brings about an array of benefits, including: Ease pain Relieve stress Improve circulation Reduce swelling Fight infection When applied to the body, the magnet stimulates nerves in the area, causing the body to release endorphins. These endorphins act as a natural painkiller, causing increased blood flow to the affected area which accelerates healing. Are there side Effects? Nevertheless, there have been no major side effects reported from magnetic therapy, only minor ones. These include: Occasional rashes from contact with the magnet. Some people may be overly sensitive to the power of the magnet, causing a temporary increase in pain to the affected area at the beginning of treatment. Precautions Furthermore, magnetic therapy should never occur: On open or bleeding wounds If you have a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator or any other electrical device If you are taking blood thinners or have a history of epilepsy When pregnant Goudsmit UK We sub-contract manufacture a vast variety of magnets and magnetic assemblies to suit your requirements. Contact us today for more information at info@goudsmit.co.uk, or if you’d like to speak to a member of our team call us on +44 (0) 2890 271 001. For more information on our magnetic products visit our magnetic grades webpage, or you can also download our brochure. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for regular updates.

For more information on Magnets in Healthcare: Magnetic Therapy talk to Goudsmit Magnetics (UK) Ltd