How Do Magnets Relieve Pain?
The concept behind the utilization of therapy magnets in order to provide pain relief, is that by putting magnets in close proximity to areas suffering from pain, the magnetic field produced by the medical magnets will act to help relieve that pain. Thus far, no conclusive theory exists which explains why or how this may work, but various research suggests a number of possibilities.
Some studies have indicated that nerve cell function has changed while under the influence of magnetic fields, which, in turn, blocks the nerve signals which communicate pain. Some other theories are that therapeutic magnets may offer relief from pain by increasing the amount of both blood flow and oxygen to tissues, or that magnet therapy for pain balances the growth and death of cells. An increase in body temperature might also be a factor in how the mechanism of magnetic pain relief works.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is currently funding studies to find out the effects of medical magnets on carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, knee osteoarthritis, and back pain. Studies elsewhere are experimenting with magnet therapy for all types of disorders and conditions. Researchers in the UK, because of the cost-effectiveness of magnet therapy and its low incidence of side-effects, compared with other treatments for chronic musculo-skeletal problems, are running a clinical trial to help determine the effects of medical magnets on rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: Everydayhealth.comLabels: General Magnet and Magnetic Therapy Info, Pain and Physical Disorders