Magnetic substances can be dated back to 2500-3000 years BC. The first recording of magnets originated in Asia Minor, in a place referred to as Magnesia. The land was saturated with great quantities of iron oxide causing the earth to exert a pull on any metal. The citizens appropriately called it Magnetite.
An alternative to this is the discovery of magnetism by a young boy, shepherding on Mount Ida, in 2500 years BC. The discover y cam after he realised that the metal rivets in his footwear were stuck to the rock making it troublesome to walk up the mountainside. His name was Magnes.
It was discovered that the shepherd boy’s mountain contained a mineral with magnetic properties named Lodestone. Through out the ages its name has changed to Magnes after the boy who revealed its magnetic properties and now more commonly know as magnet.
The ancient Egyptian heroin Cleopatra could possibly be the first famous person to use the benefits of magnets. A Lodestone was used in her bed to refresh her skin and protect her looks. The knowledge of these benefits were shared with the Greeks and philosophers Plato and Aristotle wrote if its medicinal use since 2500 BC.
In the east, Chinese medical treatments have included magnets since 2000 BC. Reflexology and acupuncture are often used in conjunction with the healing properties of the magnets. With many ailments, magnets are still the first step even today.
3,500 years after they were first discovered, magnets have gained popularity in Europe and the USA. In the 15th century a Swiss physician Paracelsus recognised the therapeutic powers of magnets. He wrote medical papers on the influence of magnets on the inflammatory processes within the body.
Further to this, nearly a century later, a doctor here in the UK named William Gilbert, led a new scientific study into magnetism and electricity. Dr William Gilbert was actually one of the leading figures, writing one of the first books on this subject titled, “De Magnet” and was also the personal doctor to the first Queen Elizabeth and treated her with magnets.
In the 1700s Michael Faraday made many discoveries into the healing properties of magnetic therapy. He thus earned the title “founder of biomagnetics”. In many modern magnetic treatments today his original studies provides a starting point. Doctors of Hypnotism and Homeopathy, Dr Mesmer and Dr Hahnemann worked with him and included some of their own work with his ideas.
20th century pioneers include Dr Kreft a German doctor who in 1905 studied the healing effects of magnets on rheumatic disease, sciatica and neuralgia. 1926 revealed Dr Criles work on the impact of magnets on cancer cells and this was followed 10 years later in 1936 with Albert Davis carrying out tests on the effects of the north and south poles of a magnet.
However the last 15 years has shown a prolific increase in medical research into magnetic therapy. There have been over 57 studies in the USA into incurable diseases and magnetics. Some of the most recent are:
1990 – University if Hawaii tested magnetic fields on patients with osteoarthritis.
1992- Stiller et al a controlled scientific trial of the healing of venous wounds in the leg.
1999- New York Medical College used magnetic shoe insoles to show how they would treat diabetes.
2001- University of Virginia tested magnetic mattress covers on patients with Fibromyalgia.
2004- University of Exeter and Plymouth recorded the effects that magnetic bracelets had on osteoarthritis sufferers.
Magnetic therapy is gaining in popularity world wide with many celebrity devotees including:
Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi
Bill Clinton
HRH Prince Charles
HRH Prince Charles
HRH Prince William
Cherie Blair
Shirley MaClaine
Michael Jordon
Anthony Hopkins
Jack Niklaus and many more.
