The ABCs of Self Care: M, Magnetic Energy
Basically, we live on a big magnet. Not only does this energy provide protection for our planet but also provides a natural energy and an environment for us to be healthy. But, we can disrupt this field.
““... healing comes from nature, not the physician...””
The ABC’s of Self Care M
This week we are concerned with the letter M for our series the ABC’s of Self Care, so let’s talk about Magnetic Energy.
The Earth's natural electromagnetic field is one of the fundamental forces of nature and is essential for life. Heather and I have been enjoying the recent National Geographic series, “One Strange Rock” #OneStrangeRock. We have been reminded multiple times in the series that it is the earth’s magnetic field that enables our planet to support life as we know it. The Earth's magnetic field shields us from deadly cosmic radiation. The motion of liquid iron in the planet's outer core, a phenomenon called a "geodynamo," generates the field. But how it was first created and then sustained throughout Earth's history has remained a mystery to scientists.
Basically, we live on a big magnet. Not only does this energy provide protection for our planet but also provides a natural energy and an environment for us to be healthy. In their book “Earthing, the most important health discovery ever?”, authors Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. and Martin Zucker describe how our current living conditions have reduced the vital energy of the earth to our bodies and the resultant chronic issues that ensue from being disconnected from the power and energy of the Earth.
The use of magnets for health can be traced back as far as the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese. Pliny, a Roman naturalist, used magnets to rectify eye problems, female disorders and wounds. Documentation tells us that Chinese doctors believed in the therapeutic value of magnets at least 2,000 years ago, and perhaps earlier than that. In sixteenth century Europe, Paracelsus, used magnets for many different conditions, claiming that “…the magnet is king of all secrets and that the art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.” Two centuries later, German physician Franz Mesmer became famous for using magnets for various disorders.
In the middle decades of the twentieth century, scientists in various parts of the world began performing studies on the therapeutic use of magnets. From the 1940s on, magnets became increasingly popular in Japan. Yoshio Manaka, one of the influential Japanese acupuncturists of the twentieth century, used magnets in conjunction with acupuncture. Magnet therapy also became a commonly used technique of self-administered medicine in Japan. For example, a type of plaster containing a small magnet became popular for treating a variety of discomforts. Magnetic mattress pads, bracelets, and necklaces also became common. It is estimated that one in seven people in Japan use some form of magnetic products for health.
North American interest in magnetic energy for health was inspired by NASA’s space program. NASA recognized the importance of electromagnetic fields to biological organisms when astronauts in optimal health became ill traveling in outer space. Beyond the outermost layer of the atmosphere (ionosphere), the astronauts’ bodies were no longer immersed in the geomagnetic fields of the planet. Withdrawn from the influence of these fields, their health declined (poor sleep, fatigue, weakness, rapid bone loss, etc.), but was restored when administered artificially generated magnetic fields that emitted the necessary planetary frequencies. Magnetic field generators installed in NASA’s spacecraft alleviated many of these health problems in orbit.
During the 1970s, magnets became popular among athletes in many countries for improving performance, rejuvenation and alleviating sports-related injuries.
In 1975, the Japanese company, Nikken, developed a magnetic insole and ensuing products that has resulted in its prominence in the field of supporting our health. Nikken magnetic products are designed to be natural, easy to use, for more energy, rest, rejuvenation and recovery.
Nikken magnetic technologies have been developed for over 40 years to provide a carefully designed, supportive environment. Nikken’s magnetic products are designed to fit easily into our normal day-to-day lives. This can be in the form of our Sleep System or special magnetic insoles, seats, jewelry and massage products that can be used conveniently throughout the day. This is one technology that we frequently utilize in the Wellness Home. I have personally benefited from these products for over 20 years and have met and know thousands of others that have incorporated them into their daily self care routines.
It’s generally safe for most people to wear and use low-intensity static magnets. However, if you use an electronic medical device such as a pacemaker, have a magnetically sensitive surgical implant, are in the first trimester of pregnancy or have health problems, consult a physician before using magnetic products.
Magnetic energy is just one of the technologies that are utilized in the Wellness Home to provide simple, easy to use, natural ways of being Heathy by Choice.
Please note, that Heather and I will be taking a break next week from the Impetus in honor of Memorial Day and tribute to the many men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in enabling and preserving our freedom and liberty. We wish you all a good Memorial Day Weekend.
Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance
My Personal Self Care Awakening
Some 20 years ago, I came to an awakening regarding my own health and well-being. I was in my mid 40’s and was starting to exhibit some health challenges that many other people do at that age. I was overweight, over worked and over stressed...
This Sounds All too Familiar
Some 20 years ago, I came to an awakening regarding my own health and well-being. I was in my mid 40’s and was starting to exhibit some health challenges that many other people do at that age. I was overweight, over worked and over stressed. I was dealing with signs of hypertension and just didn’t seem to have the energy I was used to. I had trouble sleeping and at best 4 or 5 hours was all I could manage or had the time for. My joints ached and I suffered from a whiplash injury that short of pharmaceutical intervention or surgery I was told by many physicians to learn to live with. Does this sound all too familiar?
By happenstance while working and traveling in Asia, I was introduced to a Japanese company, Nikken. The physical therapist that was telling me about it said that their products in his experience may be able to help me. As a physiologist, I was very skeptical as to any “alternative” modalities, although I’m not sure why I was so skeptical, other than my science brain saying show me the research. I politely, or maybe not so politely, told the young man, that I was not interested in what he was selling. Upon returning home from the trip, I noticed a short article in our weekly newspaper talking about this same Japanese company helping people all over the world with their products. I found this more than coincidental and it sparked me to at least check out what they were talking about. It also made me wonder, why did I have an opinion about these products and technologies with no real knowledge of them or their efficacy. This second exposure to Nikken prompted me to do a literature search on magnetic therapy and the results were astounding to me. I also noticed that aver 60% of the papers I read were published in veterinary journals. I thought this very profound as animals cannot experience a placebo effect.
I purchased a few Nikken magnetic products just to see if they could help with my neck issues. I had experienced very little flexibility, discomfort and radial numbness down both arms for over three years. My injury was a classic whiplash, and doctors had told me that by the time I was fifty, I would want a surgery due to increase arthritic complications and conditions.
My Personal Self Care Awakening
I must honestly say, that I didn’t think the products would work or at best they might help a little. Much to my surprise, a few short weeks after using the products my neck had more flexibility and my hands and arms were no longer numb. It is nearly 20 years later, and no surgery and no neck problems, no arm or hand numbness.
This experience gave me a good appreciation for natural methods to help deal with health issues or more importantly prevent them all together. It fostered the idea of the Self Care Awakening.
I appreciate the honor of been called the Self Care Ambassador by my peers, I also appreciate being an advocate for products and technologies to accomplish our goal of Being Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.
Self Care Awakening is about a few very simple concepts. It is about Being Healthy by Choice and not by Chance. The reality is, if we leave our health to chance, chances are that we are not going to be healthy.
The major impetus for the Self Care Awakening is to bring this and other aspects of good health to light.
First, that chronic disease is not a normal part of life. How many times have we heard someone say, “That’s just part of getting older”, as if the headaches, joint/back problems, weight gain, blood sugar problems, memory problems (and the list can go on and on) are just a “normal part” of life.
Here is a paraphrase of a recent advertisement from what use to be our corner drug store and is now called your local wellness center. The advertisement says, “there are 26 million Americans with diabetes, and 74 million are at risk, don’t worry, we can treat and manage your diabetes so you can lead a normal productive life”. I almost fell out of my chair when I first heard this commercial. Then I got angry. It is a brainwashing, inferring that chronic disease is a normal part of life. It is not. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease control (CDC) estimate that as high as 80% of our world’s biggest killers can be prevented. I concur and am of the belief that just a few simple self care principles can lead to a vibrant heathy life.