The healing power of a magnet
Jan 30, 2007
Magnets have curative and healing properties, some experts say. Dr. D.R. Gala, in his book, Be Your Own Doctor With Magnet Therapy, says magnet therapy provides solutions to almost every disease, where modern medicine has failed. He adds that it is better than conventional medicine, which gives symp
By Elizabeth Agiro
Magnets have curative and healing properties, some experts say. Dr. D.R. Gala, in his book, Be Your Own Doctor With Magnet Therapy, says magnet therapy provides solutions to almost every disease, where modern medicine has failed. He adds that it is better than conventional medicine, which gives symptomatic relief in the short term and side effects in the long term.
Ancient Aryans (Indians) knew about a magnet’s mysterious and healing properties. Over the years, scientists have carried out experiments to determine the effects of magnets on vegetation, insects, animals and human beings, in what they call biomagnetics.
They believe that when plants are exposed to a magnetic field, they grow much faster than those in normal conditions. Likewise, when cows drink magnetised water, they give more milk. And the house mouse’s life span is reportedly increased by up to 45% when exposed to a magnetic field.
Gala writes that the earth is one huge magnet and man is in a sea of magnetic waves, therefore he cannot escape their influence. Magnet therapy bases on a principle that the body is capable of healing itself unless there is an imbalance between various electromagnetic forces present. Magnet therapy strives to restore the natural balance of forces. Since the therapy became popular as a branch of alternative medicine, several magnetised products are on sale for healing purposes. These include magnetic bracelets, anklets, mattresses, blankets and even magnetised water.
When magnets apply
After 18 years of incessant research, Biomagnetic Research Foundation of Chicago (BRFC) has claimed that a strong magnetic field can arrest the growth of certain cancers.
A gynaecologist from New York, Dr. E. K. Maclean, reportedly uses electromagnets to treat cancer. “Cancer can’t exist in a strong magnetic field,†he says.
Maclean also believes that magnets can restore black colour to greying hair.
Gala writes that 5% of fractures fail to unite in spite of vigorous treatment including plastering, fastening with nails and screws.
However, in 1950, two Japanese orthopaedic surgeons demonstrated that if the fracture-site is stimulated with a weak electrical current, natural healing is hastened.
Dr. Shirazi Abdul, a bone specialist with Ultima Traumatic Centre in Kampala says, although he has not used the therapy on his patients, he is “slowly growing in that direction.â€
Dr. Jjuuko Ndawula, a specialist in complementary medicine, says magnet therapy works. Ndawula says he uses it in diagnosis and treatment of migraines, dementia, post-menopause problems and for recovery from stroke. In diagnosis, he paralyses a particular limb and applies a magnetic current through it. If it fails to pass through, it means that particular part has a problem.
“But this requires skill. If you try it out rudimentarily, you can disrupt energy forces in a patient,†he warned.
Gala says magnetic therapy is also good for the nerves. While cells of the spinal cord and the brain do not regenerate once destroyed, experiments with magnets have pointed to new restoration possibilities.
Other areas in which magnetic therapy has reportedly worked include rheumatism, toothache, arthritis, diabetes, heart diseases, disorder of the kidney and urinary bladder. For the latter two, he says, the patient takes magnetised water to break down and dissolve stones. It improves digestion and lessens gastric acidity, easing the burning sensation in the stomach and peptic ulcers. “Magnets favourably stimulate the endocrine glands, the blood, the digestive system, the nervous system, the urinary system and almost all organs of the body,†he writes.
How magnets work
Gala writes that every cell and organ in the body is a magnetic unit with a specific vibratory frequency. When there is harmony between frequencies, health comes naturally. When magnet-bearing ornaments are worn, their electromagnetic waves penetrate every part. The protoplasm of the cells gets polarised (which strengthens them) and the regeneration process starts – where old worn out cells are replaced by new healthy ones.
In the bloodstream, electromagnetic waves produce eddy currents, which warm the blood and increase the number of ions. Magnetic water improves digestion and relieves menstrual problems.
He warns that magnets are sensitive to a change in electromagnetic field of the earth due to storms, cyclones, pollution and sudden changes in weather. They also react to artificial radiations due to colour televisions, x-rays, leakages from atomic plants and testing nuclear weapons. Therefore, they should be used with the supervision of a trained person.
One with a magnet chain should avoid contact with metallic objects. Adults should apply magnets to the affected area for 15 minutes for minor diseases and 30 minutes for chronic diseases daily. For infants, 5-10 minutes will do. Sensitive people may feel headache and nausea. When treating the eyes, brain or heart, weak magnets should be used and for a shorter period. Gala says pregnant women should not use magnets.
A sceptic’s view
However, some scientists disagree. Stephen Barrett, believes that magnet therapy is simplistic and not supported by the weight of experimental evidence. In his article to Quackwatch, Your Guide to Health Fraud, Barrett challenges claims that magnets increase circulation.
“If it were true, placing a magnet on the skin would make the area under the magnet become red, which it does not.†He studied 12 healthy volunteers, who were exposed to a 1,000-gauss magnetic disk and no change was observed in the amount or speed of blood flow.
David Gessell, another design engineer who responded to the therapy says, blood is not magnetic. “If it were, one’s body would explode in an MRI machine,†he said.
Magnets have curative and healing properties, some experts say. Dr. D.R. Gala, in his book, Be Your Own Doctor With Magnet Therapy, says magnet therapy provides solutions to almost every disease, where modern medicine has failed. He adds that it is better than conventional medicine, which gives symptomatic relief in the short term and side effects in the long term.
Ancient Aryans (Indians) knew about a magnet’s mysterious and healing properties. Over the years, scientists have carried out experiments to determine the effects of magnets on vegetation, insects, animals and human beings, in what they call biomagnetics.
They believe that when plants are exposed to a magnetic field, they grow much faster than those in normal conditions. Likewise, when cows drink magnetised water, they give more milk. And the house mouse’s life span is reportedly increased by up to 45% when exposed to a magnetic field.
Gala writes that the earth is one huge magnet and man is in a sea of magnetic waves, therefore he cannot escape their influence. Magnet therapy bases on a principle that the body is capable of healing itself unless there is an imbalance between various electromagnetic forces present. Magnet therapy strives to restore the natural balance of forces. Since the therapy became popular as a branch of alternative medicine, several magnetised products are on sale for healing purposes. These include magnetic bracelets, anklets, mattresses, blankets and even magnetised water.
When magnets apply
After 18 years of incessant research, Biomagnetic Research Foundation of Chicago (BRFC) has claimed that a strong magnetic field can arrest the growth of certain cancers.
A gynaecologist from New York, Dr. E. K. Maclean, reportedly uses electromagnets to treat cancer. “Cancer can’t exist in a strong magnetic field,†he says.
Maclean also believes that magnets can restore black colour to greying hair.
Gala writes that 5% of fractures fail to unite in spite of vigorous treatment including plastering, fastening with nails and screws.
However, in 1950, two Japanese orthopaedic surgeons demonstrated that if the fracture-site is stimulated with a weak electrical current, natural healing is hastened.
Dr. Shirazi Abdul, a bone specialist with Ultima Traumatic Centre in Kampala says, although he has not used the therapy on his patients, he is “slowly growing in that direction.â€
Dr. Jjuuko Ndawula, a specialist in complementary medicine, says magnet therapy works. Ndawula says he uses it in diagnosis and treatment of migraines, dementia, post-menopause problems and for recovery from stroke. In diagnosis, he paralyses a particular limb and applies a magnetic current through it. If it fails to pass through, it means that particular part has a problem.
“But this requires skill. If you try it out rudimentarily, you can disrupt energy forces in a patient,†he warned.
Gala says magnetic therapy is also good for the nerves. While cells of the spinal cord and the brain do not regenerate once destroyed, experiments with magnets have pointed to new restoration possibilities.
Other areas in which magnetic therapy has reportedly worked include rheumatism, toothache, arthritis, diabetes, heart diseases, disorder of the kidney and urinary bladder. For the latter two, he says, the patient takes magnetised water to break down and dissolve stones. It improves digestion and lessens gastric acidity, easing the burning sensation in the stomach and peptic ulcers. “Magnets favourably stimulate the endocrine glands, the blood, the digestive system, the nervous system, the urinary system and almost all organs of the body,†he writes.
How magnets work
Gala writes that every cell and organ in the body is a magnetic unit with a specific vibratory frequency. When there is harmony between frequencies, health comes naturally. When magnet-bearing ornaments are worn, their electromagnetic waves penetrate every part. The protoplasm of the cells gets polarised (which strengthens them) and the regeneration process starts – where old worn out cells are replaced by new healthy ones.
In the bloodstream, electromagnetic waves produce eddy currents, which warm the blood and increase the number of ions. Magnetic water improves digestion and relieves menstrual problems.
He warns that magnets are sensitive to a change in electromagnetic field of the earth due to storms, cyclones, pollution and sudden changes in weather. They also react to artificial radiations due to colour televisions, x-rays, leakages from atomic plants and testing nuclear weapons. Therefore, they should be used with the supervision of a trained person.
One with a magnet chain should avoid contact with metallic objects. Adults should apply magnets to the affected area for 15 minutes for minor diseases and 30 minutes for chronic diseases daily. For infants, 5-10 minutes will do. Sensitive people may feel headache and nausea. When treating the eyes, brain or heart, weak magnets should be used and for a shorter period. Gala says pregnant women should not use magnets.
A sceptic’s view
However, some scientists disagree. Stephen Barrett, believes that magnet therapy is simplistic and not supported by the weight of experimental evidence. In his article to Quackwatch, Your Guide to Health Fraud, Barrett challenges claims that magnets increase circulation.
“If it were true, placing a magnet on the skin would make the area under the magnet become red, which it does not.†He studied 12 healthy volunteers, who were exposed to a 1,000-gauss magnetic disk and no change was observed in the amount or speed of blood flow.
David Gessell, another design engineer who responded to the therapy says, blood is not magnetic. “If it were, one’s body would explode in an MRI machine,†he said.