Today, "healers" use different forms of magnetism to relieve pain and reduce anxiety and other tensions. However, this practice dating from the end of the 18th century is more a phenomenon of society than a treatment based on science.
Franz-Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) was a German physician. In 1773, the interested party began the first treatment based on the ideas of a universal fluid. This is about a magnetic fluid that everyone would possess, giving the ability to heal others. The healer or magnetizer then places his hands on the patient with the objective of transmitting the fluid to him and help him "rebalance his energies" to overcome the disease.
In 1784, many doctors condemned the practice. According to experts, the effects of animal magnetism are both attributable to the power of suggestion and an effect of the imagination. The fact is that even today, no serious study demonstrates these purported effects. Worse, the very existence of this fluid is strongly questioned because modern devices do not detect it. However, current devices are much more accurate than those available a few decades ago.
Furthermore, the magnetizers themselves have failed to demonstrate the existence animal magnetism. During an experiment conducted in 2004, they were unable to detect the presence of a person behind a simple screen. However, the magnetizers had previously examined this same person and claimed to perceive his "magnetic signal".
We also find magnetotherapy, or magnet therapy, in the healer's wallet. The healer applies magnets to the painful area or on an acupuncture point. The goal ? Create a magnetic field between the magnets. In terms of effects, different theories suggest stimulation of cell function, activation of blood circulation and interruption of the pain signal between the organ concerned and the brain.
According to the actors of this practice, the magnetism that the magnets generate can act on the magnetic field of the human body. Magnets would be able to channel energy to relax (or contract) the nerves of the muscles. Some people use it to treat migraines, chronic pain or healing disorders. Magnetism from magnets can be measured. Remember, however, that a weak magnetism exists in every living body . In any case, the latter is so weak that it is necessary to use a device – the SQUID – in order to detect it. However, the use of magnets to channel energy and provide healing has never been proven.
If the absence of danger from magnets is clearly established, the various studies on the subject are not very optimistic. Most find that magnets do better than placebo or have modest clinical benefit . Ultimately, there is no scientific basis for concluding that magnetotherapy is effective, not even with regard to animal magnetism.
