Ahuli - Everything Will Be Alright :-)

By Mara Bateman.
For GroundReport.

You probably have heard of testimonials by athletes about the healing power of magnets for pain. Or you may have seen ads for magnets wrapped in belts and cloths that have been applied to aching body parts. Is there any basis for this type of alternative therapy?

The belief that magnets can affect our health goes back thousands of years, but most doctors put little stock in their power. In fact, health authorities in many countries prohibit manufacturers from making health claims for magnetic products. Although some scientific research on magnet therapy has been conducted, only more rigorous investigation will tell whether this type of treatment really has any benefits.

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[...]The energy is delivered by a flat, round battery, about the size of a silver dollar, which is surgically implanted in the chest wall. Thin wires (electrodes) are threaded under the skin and wound around the vagus nerve in the neck. The battery is programmed by the health team to send a few seconds of electrical energy to the vagus nerve every few minutes. If the person with the system feels a seizure coming on, he or she can activate the discharge by passing a small magnet over the battery. In some people, this has the effect of stopping the seizure. It is also possible to turn the device off by holding the magnet over it.

Side effects of VNS treatment are mostly hoarseness and, sometimes, discomfort in the throat. There may be a change in voice quality during the actual stimulation. Although complete seizure control is seldom achieved, the majority of people who have the VNS implant experience fewer seizures. In some its effectiveness increases with time, and patients report an improved quality of life. As with surgery and the ketogenic diet, it may be necessary to continue with antiepilepsy medication in addition to VNS therapy.[...]

Some people think that magnet therapy can be used not only for pain but also for depression and the healing of wounds and fractures. The process involves magnetic fields, which are created and used in various ways. Here are two forms of magnet therapy:

1. In transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an electromagnetic coil is placed against the head to produce a mild electric current and a strong magnetic field. This procedure has been used to diagnose abnormalities in the brain, and now some researchers hope that it will prove to be a valid treatment for depression - stimulating the brain in a manner similar to electroconvulsive, or shock, therapy. Minor studies to see whether TMS can improve some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as problems with coordination and reaction time, have been conflicting and inconclusive.
2. Another form of the therapy involves placing small, powerful magnetic disks on different areas of the body. The goal is to magnetize the iron in red blood cells, thereby increasing blood flow and the amount of oxygen and heat delivered to cells. Proponents believe that this increased circulation is a healing force, particularly for chronic pain. In a study conducted at a Texas rehabilitation clinic, small magnets helped to relieve muscle and joint pain in patients who had once had polio. However, other investigations, including one involving heel pain, indicate that magnets have virtually no beneficial effect.

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Most experts remain unconvinced about magnet therapy. Even if it is eventually shown to produce positive results, they may be only short-term, and there is a possibility of long-term side effects. This type of treatment may also interfere with some medications.

Keep in mind the health authorities’ warning to be skeptical of electromagnetic devices that misleadingly claim to treat a range of ailments. However, if you still want to try magnet therapy, speak with your doctor, particularly if you have a pacemaker or are pregnant.