Magnet therapy

The non- invasive magnetic therapy or magnet therapy is an alternative medicine method of treatment, in which patients are exposed to a magnetic field. The effectiveness is not scientifically proven. This meaning is the invasive magnetic therapy ( electro-osteostimulation ), whose effectiveness is recognized.

The two methods differed greatly in terms of the mode of action. While in the non-invasive variant, the magnetic field is to have an effect in the body itself, it is used in the invasive variant only for the transmission of electrical energy, while the effect is based on electrical stimulation.

Non-invasive MFT

History

Proponents believe that already about 2000 years ago, a use of magnetic stones to aid healing was common among Chinese physicians. Hippocrates described the use of magnetic stones. The ancient Romans are said to have believed in positive effects of magnets and magnetic jewelry worn by the ancient Egyptians to strengthen health. In the 18th century the so-called animal magnetism of Franz Anton Mesmer arrived in Europe a short flowering.

Application

Depending on the manufacturer of the magnetic field generator static or pulsed magnetic fields with different frequencies, intensities and programs are generated. Variants with alternating fields are offered as magnetic resonance therapy, Quantronmagnetresonanztherapie and Pulsed Signal Therapy. The spa area is worked mainly with static magnetic fields. Permanent magnets that generate static magnetic fields, there is in the form of plasters, insoles, bracelets etc.

According to the proponents can be healing disorders, degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system and spine as well as broken bones, treat migraines.

Postulated effect

For the effect of the alternating field magnetic therapy proponents suggest that it promotes blood circulation and cell metabolism. Alternating magnetic fields induce electrical voltages inside the body. This could affect the chemical and physical processes at cell membranes. Cell cultures in the experiment should have shown responses and conduction in isolated nerves to have been changed in the magnetic field. These effects will be depend on the strength of the magnetic field, frequency and waveform.

The medical effectiveness of this procedure has not been scientifically proven.

Criticism

• The expected positive effect of magnetic therapy contradicts the presumed negative effects of electromagnetic pollution, although both are based on electromagnetic fields. For electrosmog are more studies, however, contradict each other often.
• Everyone comes every day with a static / oscillating magnetic field (speakers, car, rail, natural magnetic fields) with different frequencies and field strengths in contact, which is why isolation of the medical fields, as is assumed in the studies is not possible.
• Static magnetic fields exert forces on magnets only, magnetizable bodies and moving charge carriers (see Lorentz force). Since the Lorentz force only in the direction of the load carrier is easily changed, the effect is partially offset averaged by stochastic movements in the body and the man is not magnetic ( water, for example, diamagnetic ) is, in this case no specific influencing the human organism is to be expected. The postulated effect of static magnetic fields on certain conditions such as osteoarthritis was declared inconclusive to date, however, showed similar studies ( see below), the majority of a small effect.
• Most used magnetic fields (especially with permanent magnets ) are too weak to cause a change to the nature of the cells or even the macroscopic structures. Partial below the flux densities given the density of the earth's magnetic field (~ 45 μT ), which itself short -term fluctuations of up to 1 μT is exposed and depends on the longitude.
• While the blood is partly made ​​of iron, however, the iron will lose its ferromagnetic properties when it binds, whereby an improvement of the blood supply can not be explained by the hemoglobin.

Invasive MFT

In invasive magnetic therapy, which is also referred to as electro-osteostimulation, coils are connected by means of an electrode in an operation directly to a region of the bone. By subsequent application of a magnetic field, a current is induced in the coils, the electrically stimulated via the electrodes of the bone.

The method is used to enhance the healing of bone fractures, and nonunions. With regard to the effect it can not be compared with the non- invasive magnetic therapy. While in the latter case the magnetic field to trigger the action in the body itself, it is used in the invasive treatment only for the wireless transmission of electric energy, while the therapeutic effect is obtained by the electrical stimulation of the tissue.

The procedure is in contrast to the non-invasive magnetic therapy studied scientifically and medically effective. The cost of this therapy are covered by statutory health insurance.

Contraindications and risks

People with pacemakers or other electronic implants in principle must not be subjected to magnetic therapy, as it could cause dangerous interactions with the control electronics.