Magnetic therapy
The non-invasive magnetic therapy or magnetic therapy is an alternative medical treatment, wherein the patient to a magnetic field to be exposed. According to the proponents of magnetic field therapy , wound healing disorders, degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system and the spine as well as broken bones or migraines can be treated. However, the effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. The invasive magnetic field therapy (electro-osteostimulation), the effectiveness of which is recognized, must be distinguished from the alternative medical magnetic field therapy. The two methods differ greatly in terms of their mode of action. While in the non-invasive variant the magnetic field itself is supposed to have an effect in the body, in the invasive variant it is only used to transmit electrical energy, while the effect is based on electrical stimulation.
Non-invasive MFT
history
Proponents assume that the use of magnetic stones to support healing was already common among Chinese doctors about 2000 years ago. Hippocrates described the use of magnetic stones. The ancient Romans are said to have believed in the positive effects of magnets and the ancient Egyptians wore magnetic jewelry to strengthen health. In the 18th century the so-called got animal magnetism of Franz Anton Mesmer in Europe a short flowering.
application
Depending on the manufacturer of the magnetic field generator , static or pulsating magnetic fields with different frequencies , intensities and programs are generated. Variants with alternating fields are offered as magnetic field resonance therapy, quantron magnetic resonance therapy and pulsating signal therapy. In the spa area is mainly worked with static magnetic fields. Permanent magnets that generate static magnetic fields come in the form of plasters, insoles, bracelets, etc.
According to the proponents, wound healing disorders, degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system and the spine, as well as broken bones or migraines can be treated.
Postulated effect
Proponents of the effect of alternating field magnet therapy suggest that it promotes blood circulation and cell metabolism. Alternating magnetic fields induce electrical voltages in the body . These could influence the chemical and physical processes on cell membranes . Cell cultures in the experiment are said to have shown reactions and the conduction of excitation on isolated nerves is said to have been changed in the magnetic field. These effects should depend on the strength of the magnetic field as well as on the frequency and signal shape.
The medical effectiveness of this procedure has not been scientifically proven.
criticism
- The suspected positive effects of magnetic field therapy contradict the suspected negative effects of electrosmog , although both are based on electromagnetic fields. There are more studies on electrosmog, but these often contradict each other.
- Every person comes into daily contact with static or oscillating magnetic fields (loudspeakers, cars, trains, natural magnetic fields) with different frequencies and field strengths, which is why it is not possible to isolate the medical fields, as is assumed in the studies.
- Static magnetic fields only exert forces on magnets, magnetizable bodies and moving charge carriers (see Lorentz force ). Since the Lorentz force only slightly changes the direction of the charge carrier, the effect is partially canceled out by stochastic movements in the body and the human being is not magnetic (water is diamagnetic , for example ), no specific influence on the human organism is to be expected. The postulated effect of static magnetic fields on certain diseases such as osteoarthritis has not yet been conclusively explained, but studies (see below) have mostly shown a small effect.
- Most of the magnetic fields used (especially with permanent magnets) are too weak to be able to influence the nature of the cells or even the macroscopic structures. In some cases, the specified flux densities are below the density of the earth's magnetic field (~ 45 µT), which depends on the degree of longitude .
- Some of the blood consists of iron, but only in a bound form, which means that iron loses its ferromagnetic properties. An improvement in the blood supply cannot be explained by the hemoglobin .
- The IGeL monitor of the MDS ( Medical Service of the Central Association of Health Insurance Funds ) examined whether static magnetic field therapy is particularly helpful for low back pain and rated it as unclear. The most important source is a review from 2007. According to the scientists of the IGeL-Monitor, the studies are not sufficiently informative because of their poor quality to be able to assess the benefits and harms of magnetic field therapy in acute and chronic low back pain. The "National Care Guideline for Low Back Pain", drawn up by around 30 specialist societies, also gives a clear recommendation: "Magnetic field therapy should not be used to treat acute or chronic non-specific low back pain."
Invasive MFT
In invasive magnetic field therapy, also known as electro-osteostimulation, coils are connected directly to an area of the bone by means of an electrode as part of an operation. Subsequent application of an alternating magnetic field induces a current in the coils, which electrically stimulates the bone via the electrodes.
The procedure is used to improve the healing of broken bones and pseudoarthroses. In terms of effect, it cannot be compared with non-invasive magnetic field therapy. While in the latter case the magnetic field itself is supposed to trigger the effect in the body, in invasive therapy it is only used for the wireless transmission of electrical energy, while the therapeutic effect is achieved through electrical stimulation of the tissue.
In contrast to non-invasive magnetic field therapy, the procedure has been scientifically investigated and is medically effective. The costs for the therapy are covered by statutory health insurance companies.
Contraindications and Risks
People with cardiac pacemakers or other electronic implants must not be subjected to magnetic field therapy, as this could lead to dangerous interactions with the control electronics.
See also
literature
- Clinical efficacies of magnetic therapy - an overview. In: Acta Med Austriaca. 27 (3), 2000, pp. 61-68. University Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vienna. PMID 10897384 .
- PM Wolsko et al .: Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of static magnets for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: results of a pilot study. In: Altern Ther Health Med. 10, 2004, pp. 36-43. PMID 15055092 .
- JC Reeser et al .: Static magnetic fields neither prevent nor diminish symptoms and signs of delayed onset muscle soreness. In: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 86, 2005, pp. 565-570. PMID 15759245 .
- NK Eccles: A critical review of randomized controlled trials of static magnets for pain relief. In: J Altern Complement Med. 11, 2005, pp. 495-509. PMID 15992236 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ IGeL Monitor: Static Magnetic Field Therapy for Low Back Pain , accessed on March 14, 2019. More on the justification for the assessment in the results report , accessed on March 14, 2019.
- ↑ MH Pittler et al .: Static magnets for reducing pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials . In: Can Med Assoc J. 177, 2007, pp. 736-742.
- ↑ Use of magnetic field therapy according to Igel-Monitor "unclear" . In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt. December 16, 2014.
- ^ National care guideline for non-specific low back pain . P. 21, accessed on March 14, 2019.
- ↑ a b Mention of the definition of the procedure in the context of a court judgment
- ↑ Test: Naturopathic Treatment ( Memento from October 21, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 1.2 MB). In: Ökotest. 06/2010, p. 43.
