Magnetic healing devices for humans and animals

Magnetic therapy devices
Lifeworks sells a range of magnetic healing devices for people, cats, dogs and horses. These are not yet available via this website but a postal catalogue may be obtained.

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While many complementary medicine and veterinary therapies are viewed with some suspicion by the authorities, there is one traditional therapy which is becoming ever more accepted, developed and promoted by modern science - the use of magnetic fields to accelerate the body’s natural healing processes and to relieve aches and pains.

These devices mimic the pulsed magnetic fields produced by the complex and expensive apparatus used by physiotherapists in many hospitals and veterinary practices today. Users have claimed a wide range of benefits, from relief from pain, arthritis, bedsores and asthma, to accelerated healing, better sleep and circulation, relief from restless legs syndrome even improved athletic performance.

How does magnetic therapy work?
Nobody really knows. One hypothesis is that, as blood passes through the magnetic field generated by the magnetic devices, its electrically-charged molecules are ordered by the field's lines of force, becoming more able to carry higher levels of oxygen around the body. This is thought to speed healing and relieve pain by helping the body’s natural healing processes to work more efficiently, and by helping the body dispose of toxic waste products.

Some studies suggest that the magnetic fields calm nerve signals and change the behaviour of the cells involved in the healing process.

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News from the front - humans

Magnetic wristbands
GP Dr Richard Lawson experimented with magnetic wristbands on some of his patients. Over 50% reported improvement (General Practitioner 31.10.97 p12). See also Magnetic bracelets - further proof and Magnets for menstrual pain

Green Health Watch Editor Nick Anderson saw it with his own eyes. Although cynical about unorthodox medical treatments, his 72-year old mother tried a magnetic wristband for a frozen shoulder. To her surprise it improved considerably overnight. Now both she and Nick’s dad wear a magnetic wristband whenever the need arises.

Restless leg syndrome
After 459 people suffering from restless leg syndrome had tested the Magnopulse LegCare leg-wrap for four weeks, a comparison of their responses to before and after questionnaires revealed that 77.8% felt that they had experienced greater than 20% improvement in overall symptoms, 66.1% greater than 30% improvement and 45% greater than 50% improvement (Eccles,NK 2005). This is significantly better than results obtained from research into drug treatments for restless leg syndrome.

Leg ulcers
A small but significant double-blind placebo-controlled study showed that magnetic leg wraps were effective in reducing ulcer size and leg pain and swelling. Nearly a third of those in the study group experienced full healing with twelve weeks. [1] To verify the findings a telephone survey of 160 magnetic leg wrap users was later conducted ...

After orthodox treatments for an average 4½ years had failed, 160 men and women used a magnetic leg wrap to treat their ulcer(s). Complete healing within an average 3½ months was reported by 65 (41%), partial healing by 95 (59%). None of those who continued to wear a magnetic leg wrap during the next 20 months reported a recurrence. No user reported any deterioration while wearing the leg wrap. Including both complete and partial healing, the average reduction in ulcer size was 68%.

Other reported benefits included: 84% reported reduction in pain, with 57% coming off painkillers altogether; 72% of those with swelling reported a 71% reduction; 54.5% reported an improvement in ability to perform daily tasks; 64% reported an improvement in the quality of life

Chronic joint pain
Many studies have shown that magnetic therapy can relieve chronic joint pain. Conditions where patients experienced benefit include osteo-arthritis of the hip [2] and knee, [3] rheumatoid arthritis of the knee, [4] pelvic pain, [5] post-polio pain [6] and fibromyalgia [7]

News from the front - animals

Magnetic healing collars and cushions have been developed for dogs and cats, and magnetic healing leg straps and boots for horses and ponies, with great effect.

Although only a little academic research has been done, the effectiveness of magnetic therapy for a variety of illnesses affecting horses is well established in the equestrian world, and for dogs and cats in the home. There are many thousands of anecdotal reports as to how magnet therapy has helped animals with pain relief, [8] arthritic joints, hip displacia, low energy, improved mobility, recovered mobility after spinal damage and how it has sped up the healing of strains, bruises, ligaments, flesh wounds and skin conditions.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph (12.9.99), Dr. James le Fanu cited two examples where animals received great benefit: an elderly arthritic labrador rejuvenated to running around like a dog half its age; and a 25-year old mare which had developed a permanent limp after a fall. After two weeks wearing magnetic boots she was trotting, and later graduated to a little fence jumping.

The placebo effect in animals
Anecdotal reports on the benefits of magnetic therapy do not impress conventional medical researchers because they know that the ‘placebo effect’ (the power of positive thinking - I want this medicine/therapy to help me, so it does) can account for an up to 60% success rate. Most of these researchers, luckily, refute any suggestion of the power of positive thinking in lower animal species.

Anecdotal good results in animals are opening the minds of more and more researchers and doctors to the possibility, even probability, that magnet therapy can benefit humans too.

Contra-indications and note
Magnetic therapy devices should not be worn by anyone who (i) has a heart pacemaker or fibrillator fitted or (ii) is pregnant. If you are in any doubt as to their safety in your case, please consult your medical advisor or vet.

As every human and animal reacts differently to magnetic fields, magnetic healing devices cannot be guaranteed to relieve or cure any particular condition, disease or conditions.

Anecdotally reported benefits of magnetic therapy
Benefits from magnetic therapy have been reported anecdotally for the following diseases, illnesses and conditions:

Achilles tendonitis, acne, ankle pain, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, bedsores, bloating and gas pains, blood flow stimulation, bunions, bursitis, cancer chemotherapy, cardiovascular problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, cellular metabolism enhancement, cerebral palsy, Charcot joint, chronic and short-term pain, circulation and circulatory disorders, depression, diarrhoea, edema, energy enhancement, epilepsy, oesophagitis, fertility, high blood pressure, fatigue, fibromyalgia, hair loss, heel spurs, hemorrhage, high blood pressure, immune system stimulation, inflammation, insomnia, jet lag, knee pain, knee replacement surgery healing, low energy, lower back pain, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, migraine headache, multiple sclerosis, muscle soreness, neck pain, neurological disorders, nerve regeneration, obstructive sleep apnea, orbicular muscle paralysis, prosthetic implants, osteoarthritis, post-polio syndrome, osteochondrosis, peripheral neuropathy, respiratory (breathing) disorders, restless leg syndrome, retinitis pigmentosa, sciatica, shoulder pain, snoring, soft tissue injury, spinal cord injury, staunching bleeding and preventing scab formation, strength, stress reduction, stuttering, sinus congestion, pressure and pain, sports performance, swelling and itching from insect bites, tendonitis, tennis elbow, tinnitus, traumatic reticulitis, urinary incontinence, vitality, well-being, whiplash, wound healing

[1] Eccles NK & Hollinworth H. Journal of Wound Care 2005;14 (2):64-67
[2] Harlow,T et al. British Medical Journal 2004;329(7480):1450-54
[3] Eisenberg,PM et al. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2004;10(2):36-43
.....Jacobson,JI et al. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2001;7(5):54-64, 66-9
[4] Segal,NA et al. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2001;82(10):1453-60
[5] Brown,CS et al. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2002;187(6):1581-7
[6] Vallbona,C et al. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1997;78(11):1200-03
[7] Taylor,AG et al. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2001;7(5):394-99
[8] Shafford,HL et al. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 2002;29(1):43