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 Putative
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
Practioners of putative energy medicine believe that illness results from disturbance of these subtle energies

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

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 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. Single blind, placebo study 45 subjects
Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Athletic Training ; 3:
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 ; 3:
Induced microinjury
Participants received magnet with a field strength of 700 G or sham magnet

19. Outcome measures Visual analog Scale
Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Athletic Training ; 3:
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 ; 3:
Results not significant at the P>0.05 and thus ability of magnets to decrease perception of pain was not demonstrated

21. Randomized, placebo controlled trial 194 men and women
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 ; 329:
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. Three parallel groups Outcome Measures
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 ; 329:
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. Patient compliance was assessed at 4-10 weeks
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 ; 329:
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. No significant difference between the standard and weak groups
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 ; 329:
Table 2 Mean scores of WOMAC A at baseline and 4 and 12 weeks by randomization to standard, weak, and dummy magnetic bracelets.
Standard
Weak
Dummy
Baseline
10.7
11.0
10.9
4 Weeks
8.9
9.1
9.5
12 Weeks
7.8
8.8
9.3
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?