Like everything else, the attitude towards how to treat a disease has also changed. Nowadays, people like to try unique and different ways of healing besides just the conventional method. These alternative forms of treatment include herbalism, acupuncture, aroma therapy and many more. Another very unusual method of treatment is based on the use of magnets and is called magnet therapy or bioenergy. This therapy is based on the belief that magnetism can have a healing affect on you. The process includes the use of magnets of various sizes and strengths. They are placed on different parts of the body and are purported to cure diseases, pain and health problems like high blood pressure. Magnetic bracelets, necklaces, insoles and blankets are available in the market for those who want to try this type of treatment. However, there is not much proof of the healing capabilities of magnetism and is neither endorsed by the FDA or doctors’ community.

On the other hand, believers and practitioners of magnetic therapy propagate that magnets are very effective for lowering blood pressure because they have diuretic abilities. They acts as diuretic agents and remove excess fluid from the body which is responsible for the swelling of extremities and as a result putting additional pressure on the heart. Magnetic therapists say that drinking at least four glasses of magnetized water every day will remove excess fluid from the body, lift the extra pressure from the heart and bring down blood pressure as a result.

Another said advantage of magnetic therapy

 is increase in blood flow. It is believed that the radial artery can absorb the magnetic energy of the magnet that is worn around the wrist. This magnetic energy is then distributed in the body through the circulatory system, hence improving the blood flow and oxygen level in the blood. This means that the heart has to work less hard at pumping to get oxygen to the organs and tissues. Subsequently, blood pressure is reduced.

The problem with all these theories is that they are pretty much theories and have not yet been proved practically or medically, according to the American Cancer Society.  In their view, the success stories of magnet therapy are nothing but anecdotes or housewives’ tales.

There are, nonetheless, some factions of the medical community who have an open mind towards the healing possibilities of magnets. Dr Weintraub of New York Medical College agrees that most of the stories about curing diseases with magnets are embellished. But he also suggests that there can be some potential benefits. However, the positive results came from a study that he had conducted on 375 patients suffering from diabetes-induced nerve damage. The study does not give any indication that the therapy is effective for high blood pressure treatment.

Despite any medical proof of the effectiveness of magnetic therapy, there are still many hypertension patients who ignore conventional treatment in the hope of being cured by magnets. According to the American Cancer Society, there may not be any health risks by wearing magnets or trying magnet therapy, but if patients do not use other, more medically approved ways of controlling their high blood pressure then they are putting themselves at risk of complicating their condition. Moreover, magnet therapy can also interfere with other medical treatments like infusion pumps, pacemakers and defibrillators.

In 1999, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) barred Magnetic Therapeutic Technologies from claiming that their magnet products were effective in treating high blood pressure. It states that advertisements for the healing abilities of magnetic therapies are untrue and come under false advertising.

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