Description

We have often heard that magnetic braceletsaid in healing various conditions like arthritis, chronic pain andprovide stress relief. Wearing magnetic bracelets is said toimprove sleep. But traditional physicians are still unsure aboutthe health benefits of magnetic bracelets. Some people even believethat serious illnesses like cancer can be cured. These claims havebeen endorsed by advertisers of magnetic bracelets, but not by themedical community. Due to the lack of substantial scientificevidence, many doctors do not consider it as an effective medicinaltool.

Claims of Magnetic Therapy

It is said that the cells within the body produce magnetic fieldto transmit electromagnetic signals. Every cell is said to behavelike a magnet that helps to move electrical impulses from one nervecell to another. Proponents of magnetic therapy claim thatdisturbances in magnetic field is the primary reason behind theonset of chronic diseases. As magnetic bracelets also generatemagnetic field, wearing them may help to correct the fluctuationsin electromagnetic energy. Thus, magnetic bracelets can act as ahealing aid and improve the condition.

Magnetic bracelets is believed to be an effective tool toimprove blood flow. The increase in blood circulation delivers moreoxygen to the body. This can help to speed up healing of damagedtissue. In one animal study, it was observed that blood vesselsdilated in the presence of magnetic field. The study also revealedthe anti-inflammatory effects of magnets. Thus, the magnetic effectnot only helped to boost blood circulation but also decreased theswelling. Although, these beneficial effects of magnets are yet tobe proved in human trials, there is hope that further research maysoon report the positive impact of magnets on humans. Inadequateblood circulation has been responsible for causing a number ofailments including migraine headaches and varicose veins. Theincreased blood circulation may also provide relief from backpain.

Promoters of this alternate therapy also believe that magnetsassist to make the body less acidic. The theory is that cancercells are unable to survive in a low acidic environment. So, byusing magnets one may be able to stop cancer cells fromspreading.

Do Magnetic Bracelets Work?

A study conducted by the researchers, from the Peninsula MedicalSchool revealed that magnetic bracelets help relieve painassociated with osteoarthritis. The research focused on 194patients in the age group of 45-80, suffering from osteoarthritisof the hip or knee. The patients were divided into 3 groups. Onegroup was asked to wear standard strength magnetic bracelets, whilethe other 2 groups were given a weak magnetic bracelet and a dummybracelet. The results were quite encouraging. Patients who wore thestandard magnetic bracelet for a period of 12 weeks experiencedgreat relief from the pain. However, the group wearing weakmagnetic bracelets did not find any significant change in theircondition. The non-magnetic dummy bracelet was hardly of any use.Research concluded that the pain due to osteoarthritis reducesconsiderably by wearing a standard magnetic bracelet. A detailedreport about this research was published in the British MedicalJournal, December, 2004.