could indeed be a useful rehabilitation technique but is still only a theory due to a lack of experimental evidence (Borsa, p. 150; Livingston p. 26; Vallbona et al. p. 1204). This is often overlooked however. The use of testimonials in the marketing and advertising for these magnets makes it difficult for the common consumer to view this type of therapy objectively.One aspect that is understood, however, are the effect magnetic fields have on our bodies during everyday life. We are constantly being exposed to magnetic fields. Microwaves, power lines, radio waves, refrigerators: these all give off magnetic charges (CSA, 1994; Barnothy p. 123). The earth is surrounded by a magnetic field, which is the reason for the North and South poles (Leonard, 861). Our bodies too have magnetic fields. According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, magnetic fields from the external environment enter the body easily because it is approximately 70% water. After penetrating into the tissues, a change in the alignment of the body's electromagnetic fields and an interaction with acupuncture points and meridians on the body occurs (Robinson, 1846). Magnetic fields also aids the following functions: cell division and replacement, blood circulation and hemoglobin saturation, flushing of deposits that line the walls of blood vessels and improved conduction of nerve impulses, thus improving brain function (Meyer, 1997; Livingston, 1999). But, because the human body is complex and the physics of electromagnetic fields is complex, the interactions of the two are also increasingly complex and still not well understood (CSA, 1999). However, there is some research that says certain injuries or abnormalities that occur in the body registers as a positive magnetic field. This positive electromagnetic signal is carried to the brain, and responds by sending back a negative magnetic field to the injured site to aid in the healing process. The human body ha...
