As early as 4BC it is noted in Chinese medical texts that lodestones applied to acupuncture points could relieve pain by inducing an increasing the flow of Qui energy.
4BC Electric catfish depicted in Egyptian mural paintings.
Cleopatra wore a lodestone on her forehead to prevent aging.
3BC Aristotle talked about the therapeutic properties of the magnet.
1AD Scribonus Largus, a Roman physician used a live torpedo fish to treat gout. Torpedo fish or Electric Rays can discharge electric shocks
1AD Pliny spoke of cures for the eyes using magnets.
3AD Galen used magnets as a cure for constipation.
4AD Marcel used magnets as a cure for headaches
6AD Alexander of Troiles used magnets to ease painful joints
11AD Avicenna used magnets as a cure for melancholy.
11AD Albertus Magnus claimed that magnets exercised a powerful and salutary effect upon the system.
Paracelsus mentioned the polarity effects of magnets and the application of different ends of the magnet to obtain the desired effect.
Kircher published many writings on the magnet and the "Magnetismus Medicinalium" describes the continuous utilization of magnets since ancient times and discusses the methods employed and the results obtained.
Lodestones were ground up to be applied topically to promote wound healing.
Leyden Jar was invented which stored electricity that was used to produce muscle contractions.
Abbe Le Noble (Canon of Verneuil-sur-Seine) made a study of the application of magnets in the treatment of diseases. He sent a dissertation of his work to the "Society Royale de Medicine" who appointed two experts "Audry and Thouret" to verify the efficacy of the magnet in the treatment of disease. The task was performed with scrupulous attention and the report findings were so favourable to this new found therapeutic method that their only concern was the risk of making it a "panacea". They concluded that the magnet will one day play an essential part in medicine as it does in physics. Interestingly enough it is the same "Society Royale de Medicine" that condemned the animal magnetism (Hypnotism) championed by Mesmer.
"Society Royale de Medicine" produced a second report containing 61 fresh observations of different cures from magnets.
Eydam published a thesis on "the application to the human body of a magnetic field for therapeutic purposes".
1850 Magnet "mania" swept Europe.
Maggiorani announced positive results by applying magnetic fields in the treatment of hysteria and diabetes.
Charcot and Renard used magnets in the treatment of hysteria.
Daniel David Palmer gave up his practice of mesmerism and magnetic healing and developed the art of chiropractic.
1900s Dr Le Prince and the French Naturopaths Hector-Henri and Gastron Durville published many findings about magnotherapy.
Onwards. Davis and Rawls extensive research of the effects of magnetism upon living organisms.
1940s onwards. Research worldwide showing benefits of Magnotherapy.
The list above summarizes some of the historical milestones in understanding the development of magnets and the application of magnetic fields in medicine.
AND NOW
In recent years advances in magnetic science and the use of powerful magnetic fields in general and in medicine in particular has come on in leaps and bounds.
Magnetic Resonance !maging, MRI, a less damaging way of looking into the body than x-rays, has become a major addition to healthcare. It is interesting to note that because arthritis sufferers were reported as experiencing pain relief from the MRI scan itself, specialist companies in the manufacture the scanners have made Magnetic Resonance equipment dedicated to offering pain relief treatments, which have been trialled in various hospitals.
Hand held Magnotherapy equipment can be seen in use by sports physiotherapists at sporting events.
The advantage of the hi-tech magnotherapy devices with their patented field patterns is that because you wear them, they are working with you all the time. They are stronger and much more effective than static magnets.
To find out about the one that I use click here.
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