Energy Medicine

1. Energy Medicine Andie Gilmore

2. Basis of Energy Medicine • Energy medicine is based upon the belief that changes in the “life force” of the body, including the electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, affect human health and can promote healing.

3. Learning Objectives • Define energy medicine. • List and describe putative energy therapies recognized by the NCCAM. • List and describe veritable energy therapies recognized by the NCCAM. • What is magnet therapy most used for? What does the research say about its effectiveness? • What are limitations of magnet therapy research?

4. What is Energy Medicine? • Energy medicine is a domain of complimentary and alternative medicine that is based on the interactions of the human energy field with other energy fields whether human or nonhuman. • The various energy fields associated with the human body include electrical, magnetic, light, and subtle. • Changing these energy fields may affect human health and support healing.

5. Types of Energy Fields • Veritable • Mechanical vibrations and electromagnetic forces • Use specific, measurable wavelengths and frequencies to treat patients • Putative • Human beings are infused with a subtle form of energy • Immeasurable at this time

6. Names of Inner Energy • Qi-Traditional Chinese Medicine • Ki-Japanese Kampo system • Doshas-Ayurvedic medicine • Etheric energy • Fohat • Orgone • Odic Force • Mana • Homeopathic Resonance • Prana

7. Putative Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAM • Acupuncture: The term acupuncture involves stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. • Qi Gong: A component of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation, and regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of qi in the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance immune function.

8. Putative Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAM • Homeopathy: In homeopathic medicine, there is a belief that "like cures like," meaning that small, highly diluted quantities of medicinal substances are given to cure symptoms, when the same substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms • Therapeutic Touch: It is based on the premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient's recovery; healing is promoted when the body's energies are in balance. By passing their hands over the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances.

9. Putative Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAM • Distant Healing: Proponents of energy field therapies also claim that some of these therapies can act across long distances. For example, external Qi Gong or intercessory prayer. • Whole Medicine Systems: These systems are based on the belief that one's body has the power to heal itself. Healing often involves coupling multiple techniques that involve the mind, body, and spirit.

10. Veritable Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAM • Millimeter Wave Therapy: Low-power millimeter wave irradiation elicits biological effects and is used to treat skin diseases, cancer, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric illnesses. • Sound Energy Therapy: Specific sound frequencies resonate with specific organs of the body to heal and support the body.

11. Veritable Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAM • Light Therapy: Light therapy is the use of natural or artificial light to treat various ailments. • Magnet Therapy

12. Shoe insoles Heel inserts Mattress Pads Bandages Belts Pillows and Cushions Bracelets and other jewelry Headwear Products using Magnets

13. Magnet Claims • Pain • Respiratory problems • High blood pressure • Circulatory problems • Arthritis • Rheumatism • Stress

14. Mechanisms • Improve Circulation • Rebalance the body • Raise temperature • Increase blood flow • Removes toxins • Increased WBC

15. Magnets • Magnet strength is measured in the unit gauss (G) • Therapeutic magnet 300-5,000 G • Refrigerator Magnets 35-200 G • MRI 200,000 G

16. Types of Magnets • Static: magnetic field does not change • Electromagnets: generate magnetic fields when electrical current flows through them

17. Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Athletic Training. 1998; 3:150-156. • Single blind, placebo study • 45 subjects • 20 males • 25 females • 20-32 years of age

18. Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Athletic Training. 1998; 3:150-156. • Induced microinjury • Participants received magnet with a field strength of 700 G or sham magnet

19. Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Athletic Training. 1998; 3:150-156. • Outcome measures • Visual analog Scale

20. Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Athletic Training. 1998; 3:150-156. • Results not significant at the P>0.05 and thus ability of magnets to decrease perception of pain was not demonstrated

21. Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomized control trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454. • Randomized, placebo controlled trial • 194 men and women • 45-80 years of age • Diagnosis of arthritis of the hip and knee • Scored between 8-20 on the WOMAC A

22. Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomized control trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454. • Three parallel groups • Standard strength bipolar magnetic bracelet • Weak magnetic bracelet • Non-magnetic bracelet • Outcome Measures • Change in WOMAC A score • Visual analog scale

23. Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomized control trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454. • Patient compliance was assessed at 4-10 weeks • Tested blinding by questioning participants on belief of having an active or inactive bracelet and their reasons for such belief • 5 bracelets from each group were tested by the National Physical Laboratory to confirm manufacturer’s specification

24. Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomised control trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454. Table 2 Mean scores of WOMAC A at baseline and 4 and 12 weeks by randomization to standard, weak, and dummy magnetic bracelets. • Significant difference between standard and placebo groups of 1.3 (p>0.03) • No significant difference between the standard and weak groups

25. Limitation of Magnet Therapy Research • No known mechanism • Placebo effect • Other factors contributing to success or failure • Inconsistency on magnet type, strength and length of use • Small number of participants • Inconsistency with claims for magnet strength of manufacturers

26. Conclusions • Research is inconclusive • More research is needed with stronger study designs and standards • As professionals will we turn to science to accept or reject a method of healing or will we acknowledge limitations of healing and research?