How do Magnets Work
The History of Magnetic Therapy
What is magnetic therapy, how does it work – and why are so many people turning to magnetic bracelets for pain relief? There's nothing new about it. In fact, magnetic therapy goes way, way back, all the way back to the ancient people of China, Greece, India, Egypt and many more countries.
One of the earliest recorded uses of magnetic therapy is found in the Hindu Vedas, from 600 BC. The scriptures mention a lodestone being used to treat various ailments and diseases. A lodestone is a mineral that possesses natural magnetic qualities, and it seems symptoms could be alleviated by placing it on a person suffering from something.
But it's believed that the ancient Chinese were using lodestones long before that, even around 1200 BC. Back then, healers used the magnetic material to balance the flow of chi – believing then, as now, that blockages in this life-force energy lead to all manner of physical problems. It was thought that magnetism could manipulate the flow of energy and restore it to proper channels, thereby bringing about healing in the body and helping to cure diseases.
In the many years and centuries since then, the popularity of magnetic therapy has grown as more people discovered the benefits of this alternative method of healing and pain relief. It really shouldn't come as any surprise that magnetism has at least a protective function for the human body. All of us, right now, are surrounded by vast fields of magnetism that are generated by the spinning iron core at the centre of the Earth. They shoot out into space and deflect powerful radiation and solar blasts that would otherwise rain down on us and wipe out life on the planet.
The Many Benefits of Magnetic Therapy
Lets look at some of the benefits that people have reported by using magnetic therapy. One that you'll probably have heard of is for the relief of pain associated with such crippling conditions as arthritis, where inflammation of the joints or muscles can make getting about extremely difficult. Many sufferers wear magnetic bracelets to get relief. It’s thought that the magnetic elements of the bracelets cause the body to release natural painkillers, and it's possible that they could also trigger greater circulation of blood in affected tissues.
It's certainly an alternative to taking lots of drugs to cope with arthritis and other conditions. Research published in 2004 in BMJ (previously called the British Medical Journal) looked at 194 people suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee and hip who wore magnetic bracelets for a period of 12 weeks. After that time, it was found that their mobility had improved compared to those who were wearing a placebo bracelet. The study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15604181?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1) concluded that "Pain from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee decreases when wearing magnetic bracelets."
Magnetic bracelets are not just for those of reduced mobility due to arthritis and other conditions, however. Many people are now using them for a variety of reasons, and reporting overall improved wellbeing. There's no doubt that our lifestyles today are hectic and lead to high levels of stress that can often be debilitating, and that's why some people opt to wear a magnetic bracelet to try and relieve their stresses and live a more enjoyable life. Even something as seemingly simple but fundamentally important to good health as sleep can be improved by wearing a magnetic bracelet, according to people who have worn them.
Working theories
We all know magnetism is a force – we can feel how strong it is when we push two like poles together as they repel each other. Pass a magnet through a coil of copper wire and the latter's electrons are moved – and we have electricity. Is it any wonder, therefore, that magnets have the inherent power to influence processes in the human body and bring about healing and health?
One of the theories about how magnetism works with the body is that the fields surrounding such devices as magnetic bracelets stimulate areas where there pain occurs because of conditions or diseases. This is thought to trigger the release of the body's own painkillers, thereby providing natural relief for the person instead of having to take medications over long periods that may have bad side-effects.
It is also thought that because metals – such as iron, zinc, magnesium and others - are components of the human body, magnetism is able to affect them in a way that brings about helpful change at the cellular level; in particularly by impacting on particles in the blood and increasing oxygenation so that circulation is improved and a person heals quicker. After all, everyone knows what happens when you put a magnet beside a metal: it attracts it.
The first scientific attempt to try and work out what magnetism is came about in 1600, when William Gilbert, an English scientist and physician, published De Magnete, Magneticisque Corporibus, et de Magno Magnete Tellure (On the Magnet and Magnetic Bodies, and on That Great Magnet the Earth). In this ground-breaking work, he sets out how he discovered that the Earth has a magnetic field and he rubbishes old, and inaccurate, theories about magnetism by revealing an array of experiments he carried out. Gilbert was Queen Elizabeth I's physician and is said to have treated her arthritis with magnetism.
In more recent years, magnetic therapy has regained some of its earlier popularity through high-profile use by various sports people seeking relief from injuries, and today there’s a greater variety of magnetic bracelets available, as well as other items, many of which can be considered attractive pieces of jewellery in their own right and not just alternative medical devices.
Although there will always be naysayers, and it’s not yet possible to prove how exactly it works, history shows that magnetic therapy has been around from the beginning of human civilisation, and it’s clear to anyone that no remedy would have such incredible staying power if the benefits hadn’t been felt all the way from early generations right up to today.
The History & Benefits Of Copper BraceletsCopper has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, as recorded in some of the earliest records available. The Smith Papyrus, an Ancient Egyptian medical book, suggests copper as a remedy to sterilise both chest wounds and water for drinking. Copper bracelets can be traced back to the Iron age, around 800 BC, although it is suspected that they may have been used even earlier. The remains of many copper bracelets from this era have been discovered during excavations, and they are still extremely popular today. This is due to their medicinal properties, as copper bracelets have been found to have healing benefits for a variety of medical conditions. Here are some of the most common and well understood uses for medicinal copper bracelets.
Arthritis
The use of copper bracelets for the treatment of arthritis has existed for thousands of years, and it's one of the oldest treatments for the condition still existing today. In Ancient Greece, the use of copper bracelets was recorded to relieve aches and pains, similar to arthritis. It is a widely debated subject, but those who have experienced the healing benefits of copper bracelets for their arthritis claim that the benefits are too strong to be denied. In the modern era, use of copper bracelets for arthritis became popular in the 1970s following a series of scientific studies into the subject matter. The copper has both anti-inflamatory and antioxidant properties, which are both thought to combat joint pain and enable sufferers to move more freely as a result.
Copper has been demonstrated to be an essential micro-nutrient when it comes to keeping our blood, muscles and joints healthy. The healing properties of increased copper in the diet have been shown repeatedly, but it can also be absorbed via the skin using specially designed jewellery. The copper is absorbed by the skin, directly into the blood stream. In many ways, this is better than alternative, pharmaceutical treatments for arthritis and related conditions, as the bracelet can be worn continuously. The body is able to store copper and use as required, so a consistent flow of copper into the bloodstream will not cause any harm. However, it has been found that taking large doses orally can have negative side effects. Copper bracelets are a safe, continuous treatment for conditions such as arthritis. They can be worn throughout the day, enabling sufferers to move freely and with less pain.
Iron deficiency and anaemia
A large proportion of the world's population, particularly women, are deficient in iron. Consequently, anaemia is an increasingly common illness encountered by many people. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anaemia throughout the world. Both iron deficiency and anaemia have a variety of debilitating symptoms, including fatigue, stunted growth, impaired regulation of body temperature, and decreased immune function. The condition is not restricted to developing countries, and is also common in the United Kingdom. Many efforts have been made to reduce the incidence of iron deficiency and anaemia, such as the fortification of many food products with iron and the increase in iron supplements available on the high street, but the problem persists. In extreme cases, doctors may inject patients with additional iron.
Copper bracelets are a non-invasive alternative to traditional medication and supplementation used to support those with iron deficiencies and anaemia. The bracelets work through the process of transdermal micronutrition, with iron being absorbed into the skin. Research suggests that absorbing micronutrients through the skin is more beneficial than taking oral supplements or injections, as well as being associated with fewer side effects. It is thought to be a more direct route into the blood stream, bypassing the process of digestion (in which micronutrients can be lost). Copper bracelets have also been found to be beneficial in treating the less prevalent zinc deficiency.
Cardiovascular illnesses
Copper deficiency has also been found to have a negative impact upon the cardiovascular system, with people chronically low in copper suspected to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease than other people. Research suggests that low amounts of copper in the body have been linked to high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause a multitude of problems within the body, including heart disease. There are strong links between copper bracelets and a reduction in blood pressure. This, combined with a good diet and regular exercise, can contribute to reducing your risk of cardiovascular illnesses associated with high blood pressure.
Infection and impaired immune system function
Copper has also been found to protect and fight against infection within the body. It contains antimicrobial properties, which can combat bacteria and viruses within the body. Considering that no negative side effects have been associated with the use of copper bracelets, it almost seems illogical to ignore the potential benefits. If you suffer from an impaired immune system, copper bracelets may be an affordable and noninvasive solution. Unlike with oral supplementation, there's no risk of copper poisoning when using the bracelets, so they're a safe way to promote general health and wellness.
Copper bracelets are undoubtedly an excellent choice for the treatment of many medical conditions, yet tend to be ignored by mainstream medical practices. Little to no side effects have been found to be associated with the bracelets, other than a temporary discolouration of the skin in some cases, or irritation in those with known allergies to copper.
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