The revolutionary and exciting new field of magnetic orthotic therapy can very likely offer chiropractors another modality with which to increase the comfort and improve the overall health and well-being of patients. While research into magnetic therapy is just beginning to supply clinical support12, the volume of demonstrated positive effects is worthy of professional consideration today. PRINCIPLES OF MAGNETIC THERAPY Theoretically, magnetic therapy is based on a simple, scientific principle. The earth generates a magnetic field, and all things on the earth-including people-generate magnetic fields. While the approaches to incorporating this information into health care and therapeutic treatment are wide and varied, all start with the assumption that a person's magnetic fields, on either a specific or systemic basis, can be beneficially altered by the use of therapeutic magnets. Magnets, as health care devices, have been used for centuries throughout the world, with very broad applications and attributed benefits, some of which are listed in Table 1. The most common of these is for the reduction of pain and the stimulation or acceleration of healing. There are many theories as to how magnetic therapy reduces pain and enhances the healing environment. Primary among these is that magnets stimulate an increase in circulation to an inflamed, injured or ischemic region. It is posited that vasodilation is induced magnetically, thereby increasing blood flow. This vascular expansion results from the combined responses of blood ions to a magnetic field: Firstly, the positive and negative charges of the sodium chloride in the blood separate, creating a small heat by-product; and, secondly, the sodium and chloride ions are altered in their flow patterns, creating a small, whirling current which elicits pressure, expanding the blood vessel wall.5'''Additionally, it is thought that the introduction of the therapeutic magnet's field increases the blood flow by neutralizing negative charges that naturally accumulate on a capillary wall and impede movement." The increased blood flow has a twofold benefit: While the blood components and nutrients brought to the area of injury or inflammation accelerate the healing and repair process, the additional blood volume also flushes the chemicals that are responsible for stimulating the sensation of pain and for the propagation of the pain-spasm-pain cycle! Therefore, both the pain circuit is cut and healing is enhanced. Several other theories as to the method in which magnets increase health and healing involve: the magnetic response of iron in the red blood cells'' the hypo- thesis that injuries generate a positive magnetic field, which can be altered by the use of a negative magnetic field to speed healings3A? that the therapeutic placement of magnets can reduce pain by causing direct electrical stimulation of the neurons transmitting pain signals to the brain3-6-7; that calcium ion movement can be altered either toward a region such as a broken bone, or away from painful, arthritic joints 8; and that biochemical processes such as hormone production and enzyme activity can be increased or decreased by magnetic fields.8 RECENT STUDIES Clinical research studies have been conducted for years in Europe, Canada and Asia, where magnetic therapy is routinely included in treatment plans for numerous illnesses and health complaints. In the United States, medical science has long recognized that wound healing is stimulated by electrical impulses. Orthopedic surgeons currently utilize techniques, such as pulse electromagnetic therapy, to heal certain bone fractures. Yet, it is only recently that scientists and the health care community have begun to seriously research and study this promising area of therapeutic treatment. Drs. Vallbona, Hazlewood and Jurida. of the Baylor College of Medicine, recently concluded a double-blind controlled study of the effects of magnetic therapy on pain reduction. They studied 50 patients who suffered from post-polio pain syndrome. Of these participants, 76% who were treated with a real magnet reported a significant and rapid decrease in pain. Drs. Vallbona, et ah concluded that the "delivery of static magnetic fields through a magnetized device, directly applied to a pain trigger point or to a localized painful area, results in significant pain relief within a short period of time (less than 45 minutes in our study) and with no apparent Infections Headaches Fractures Inflammations Migraines Pain Rheumatoid disease Insomnia Environmental stress Cancer Circulatory problems Table 1. Magnetic Therapy Applications (from Dr. Wolfgang Ludwig, Institute for Biophysics, Horh, Germany) side effects."2 Dr. Michael Weintraub. a neurologist, at New York Medical College, recently demonstrated that magnetic inserts have a positive effect on diabetic-related sensory-motor distal neuropathy: "Despite the uncertainty regarding the precise mechanism of this novel approach, the results are impressive and suggest that a legitimacy exists for magnetotherapy as a safe and unique therapy in neuropathic diabetic foot pain." ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE While research on the therapeutic potential of magnetic therapy continues to be performed at many universities and leading-edge technological institutes, for the time being, the preponderance of evidence supporting the use of magnets comes from anecdotal sources. Chronic neck and back pain sufferers, athletes, those with arthritis, as well as those simply desiring an increase in energy or an aid to healing injuries are among the hundreds of testimonials which attribute beneficial results to magnets 3.6.7.10,13 # Practitioners from varied disciplines across the country are incorporating magnetic devices based on this abundant and encouraging evidence. MAGNET ORTHOTICS An exciting new treatment option available to chiropractors is the recent introduction of magnet orthotics. This unique and revolutionary product offers a dual benefit: the therapeutic advantages of biomagnetics combined with the undisputed and clinically-proven biome-chanical principles of postural support offered by a custom-fitted orthotic insert. Keep in mind, however, that magnet orthotics are contraindicated if your patient wears a pacemaker or electrical implant of any kind, or if your patient is pregnant. SUMMARY Exactly how magnets stimulate healing and reduce pain is currently a topic of debate and study within the health care community. It remains for clinical docu-menl&tl&n and research to substantiate the masses of testimonial evidence. Considering variant treatment options and choices as practitioners is a constant facet of practicing health care, and may, at times, put us at the forefront of common and standard practices within our fields. ♦!♦ REFERENCES /. Weiniraub Ml. Magnetic bio-stimulation in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a novel intervention-a randomized, double-placebo crossover study. Am J of Pain Management, 1999;9(1):X-17. 2. Vallbona C, Hazlewood CF. Jurida G. Response of pain to static magnetic fields in postpolio patients: a double blind pilot study. Arch Phys Med Rehabi, 1997: 7H: 1200-1203. 3. Lubenski C. At play in magnetic fields: magnets for strength and healing. Whole Life Times. 1997 (Dec). 4. Baermann H. The influence of multipolar static magnetic fields in the electrolytic sys- Continued on page 45... MAGNETIC ORTHOTICS ...from page 20 tern of the living organism with special reference to circular and radial pole patterns. Presented at the International Conference on Biomagnetism, Newport, RI, May 29, 1989. 5. Zablotsky TJ. What's the attraction? Athletes try biomagnetic therapy. Time, August 11,1997; 150(6):81. 6. WulfS. What's the attraction? Athletes try biomagnetic therapy. Time, August 11,1997; 150(6):81. 7. McEnroe C. Magnet p. i. Men's Health, 1998; 12 (3): 86. 8. Payne B. The body magnetic. Psychophy-sics, 1992. 9. Leviton R. The body electric: healing with nature's therapy. East/West Journal 1986 (June). 10. Clark C. The body magnetic: magnetic therapy. Natural Health 1995; 25(2): 70. 11. Davis SE. The rules of attraction. Men's Fitness 1998; 14(2):32. 12. Proulx LG. Magnet passes test as pain reliever. Washington Post, December 2, 1997. 13. University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter, 1997; 13(6):3. 14. Gross ML, Davlin LB, Evanski PL. Effectiveness of orthotic shoe inserts in the longdistance runner. Amer J of Sports Med 1991; 19(4):409-412. 15. Greenawalt MH. Spinal Pelvic Stabilization (4th ed.), Roanoke: Foot Levelers, Inc., 1990. A
