History: The idea of using magnetism for healing is not new. Early Chinese medical literature claimed healing
properties for lodestone, a naturally magnetic mineral. In 1530, Paracelsus reported on treatments by magnetic fields at the University of Basel. In recent times,
the biological effects of magnetic fields have been studied in Japan, the Soviet Union, Europe and the United States. Since the late 1950's, numerous studies have
been done in Japan which have demonstrated the effectiveness of magnetic fields for treating various human complaints and a number of medical papers have been
published on this subject. Magnetic necklaces and bracelets are sold in Japan, Korea, China, and in Europe for the relief of neck, shoulder and back pain and
stiffness as well as to improve circulation. Magnetic back and knee supports are sold to help relieve pain and stiffness in those areas. Although the foreign
studies do not specifically mention the use of these items for relief of arthritis pain and stiffness, most users report excellent results for this application.
The small magnetic patches are very popular for the relief of muscle pain and soreness and are applied to the painful area like a spot "band-aid," or in some cases
are applied to acupuncture points to stimulate them magnetically instead of with needles. In fact, numerous magnetic devices, which are sold in Japan, are registered
with the Japan Welfare Ministry as medical devices. In order to obtain this registration, these devices must undergo clinical testing at accredited medical
institutions to verify their effectiveness. Most of the Japanese products are "bipolar" in the sense that when they are used, they apply both North and South pole
magnetic energies to the body. Numerous theories and hypotheses have been proposed to explain the observed effects, but at this time there is still no single
explanation, which is accepted as definitive.
A U.S. researcher, Albert Roy Davis, is credited with the discovery that the two poles of a magnet have different,
and essentially opposite effects on both living and non-living systems. He was awarded several patents for his work in this area and his discoveries provided the basis
for research currently being done on magnet therapy in which, contrary to the action of most of the Japanese devices, the energy from essentially one pole or the other
is used. Davis and his associate, Walter Rawls Jr. published several books describing Davis' research and discoveries. These include The Magnetic Effect, The Magnetic
Blueprint of Life, and Magnetism and Its Effects On the Living System. A search of the U.S. patent literature shows that a number of biomagnetic therapy devices
have been awarded patents by the United States Patent Office. Among these patents are the following titles with excerpts from the patent description: Magnetic Elastic
Lumbar Belt (1984) "?effective for reducing stiffness or pain in the muscles of the human body." Magneto-Therapeutic Device (1979) "?used for curing stiffness in the
shoulder and pains in the waist and muscles with its magnetic effects and pressure-stimulation effects." Healthy Magnetic Ornament (1978) (Magnetic Necklace) "?the magnetic
ornament of the invention is more suitable for promotion of good health, that is, it facilitates blood circulation and, hence, has a favorable effect on the removal of stiffness in the shoulders and muscular pain."
Method of Using Magnetic Fields To Conduct a Screening Diagnostic Examination (1979). Flexible Magnetic Sheet For Therapeutic Use (1985). "Flexible permanent magnetic
sheets have been used in the past for promoting blood circulation and body heating on peripheral body sites." With the advent of Magnetic Resonance Imaging which has been
heralded as one of the major medical diagnostic advancements of recent history, more people have come to realize that the force of magnetism is more than a curiosity.
The recently published (1990) book on magnet therapy by William Philpott, M.D., Biomagnetic Handbook (A Guide To Medical Magnetics The Energy Medicine of Tomorrow) is also
indicative of the increased awareness of and interest in magnetism as a beneficial and healing force. As new and more powerful magnetic materials have become available, new applications
for them have also evolved. Such is the case with the new super-powerful neodymium-iron-boron magnetic alloy. This is the most powerful magnetic alloy, which is commercially
available, and it is rapidly finding new applications in numerous areas of technology, which employ magnets. In 1987, Professor Goesta Wollin, a scientist and researcher of
world renown, who was for more than 30 years associated with Columbia University, presented a 57-page report at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, on
the use of these new "super" magnets for the treatment of cancer. Worldwide interest in therapeutic applications of magnetism continues to grow, as evidenced by a two-day
international symposium on Magneto biology and Magnetotherapy, which was held in Newport, Rhode Island, in the summer of 1989. Many people in this country are now
learning about drug-free pain relief with the power of magnetism. In addition to being low in cost, this form of relief does not have harmful side effects.
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