As previously stated, the studies are far from conclusive and a continuing debate rages as to whether magnets "work" physiologically or are the work of placebo.
A lot of research has concentrated on the effect of static magnetic fields on blood vessel contraction and relaxation.
In 1983, Dr. Ulrich Warnke conducted tests on both humans and horses, revealing that the application of a magnetic field dilated blood vessels, increasing blood flow and could be measured using thermographs.This suggested that the application of a magnet could have potential medicinal use in improving blood flow to a particular area.
More recently, Thomas Skalak of the University of Virginia conducted a trial on the effect of electromagnetic fields on laboratory rats. In the initial trial, magnets of 7 mTesla were placed near the rat’s blood vessel and quantative measures of the vessel diameter were taken before and after the magnet application. Morris and Skalak concluded that a strong magnetic field had a profound effect on blood vessels, causing them to relax. Clinically applied, Skalak used inflammatory agents in the hind paws of rats to stimulate the symptoms of tissue injury. When magnets were applied, this swelling went down.
If applied successfully to humans, these findings could have a whole range of uses. Skalak noted: “static magnetic therapy magnets could be used much the way ice packs and compression are now used for everyday sprains, bumps and bruises, but with more beneficial results”.
Think of the benefits magnetic dressings could have to recovery time of professional athletes or even on the school football pitch?
So there you have it, argument one: magnets and their effect on the blood.
