Energy Medicine Andie Gilmore. Basis of Energy Medicine Energy medicine is based upon the belief that changes in the “life force” of the body, including.

Energy MedicineEnergy Medicine

Andie GilmoreAndie Gilmore

Basis of Energy MedicineBasis of Energy Medicine

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

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Define energy medicine.Define energy medicine. List and describe putative energy therapies List and describe putative energy therapies

recognized by the NCCAM.recognized by the NCCAM. List and describe veritable energy therapies List and describe veritable energy therapies

recognized by the NCCAM.recognized by the NCCAM. What is magnet therapy most used for? What What is magnet therapy most used for? What

does the research say about its effectiveness?does the research say about its effectiveness? What are limitations of magnet therapy What are limitations of magnet therapy

research?research?

What is Energy Medicine?What is Energy Medicine? Energy medicine is a domain of complimentary Energy medicine is a domain of complimentary

and alternative medicine that is based on the and alternative medicine that is based on the interactions of the human energy field with other interactions of the human energy field with other energy fields whether human or nonhuman. energy fields whether human or nonhuman.

The various energy fields associated with the The various energy fields associated with the

human body include electrical, magnetic, light, human body include electrical, magnetic, light, and subtle. and subtle.

Changing these energy fields may affect human Changing these energy fields may affect human health and support healing. health and support healing.

Types of Energy FieldsTypes of Energy Fields

VeritableVeritableMechanical vibrations and electromagnetic Mechanical vibrations and electromagnetic

forcesforcesUse specific, measurable wavelengths and Use specific, measurable wavelengths and

frequencies to treat patientsfrequencies to treat patientsPutativePutative

Human beings are infused with a subtle form Human beings are infused with a subtle form of energyof energy

Immeasurable at this timeImmeasurable at this time

Names of Inner EnergyNames of Inner Energy Qi-Traditional Chinese MedicineQi-Traditional Chinese Medicine Ki-Japanese Kampo systemKi-Japanese Kampo system Doshas-Ayurvedic medicineDoshas-Ayurvedic medicine Etheric energyEtheric energy FohatFohat OrgoneOrgone Odic ForceOdic Force ManaMana Homeopathic ResonanceHomeopathic Resonance PranaPrana

Putative Energy Medicine Putative Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAMRecognized by the NCCAM

Acupuncture:Acupuncture: The term acupuncture involves The term acupuncture involves stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. the hands or by electrical stimulation.

Qi Gong:Qi Gong: A component of traditional Chinese medicine A component of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation, and regulation of that combines movement, meditation, and regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of qi in the body, improve breathing to enhance the flow of qi in the body, improve

blood circulation, and enhance immune function.blood circulation, and enhance immune function.

Putative Energy Medicine Putative Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAMRecognized by the NCCAM

Homeopathy:Homeopathy: In homeopathic medicine, there is a In homeopathic medicine, there is a belief that "like cures like," meaning that small, highly belief that "like cures like," meaning that small, highly diluted quantities of medicinal substances are given to diluted quantities of medicinal substances are given to cure symptoms, when the same substances given at cure symptoms, when the same substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms those symptoms

Therapeutic Touch:Therapeutic Touch: It is based on the premise that it is It is based on the premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient's the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient's recovery; healing is promoted when the body's energies recovery; healing is promoted when the body's energies are in balance. By passing their hands over the patient, are in balance. By passing their hands over the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances. healers can identify energy imbalances.

Putative Energy Medicine Putative Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAMRecognized by the NCCAM

Distant Healing: Distant Healing: Proponents of energy field Proponents of energy field therapies also claim that some of these therapies also claim that some of these therapies can act across long distances. For therapies can act across long distances. For example, external Qi Gong or intercessory example, external Qi Gong or intercessory prayer. prayer.

Whole Medicine Systems:Whole Medicine Systems: These systems These systems are based on the belief that one's body has the are based on the belief that one's body has the power to heal itself. Healing often involves power to heal itself. Healing often involves coupling multiple techniques that involve the coupling multiple techniques that involve the mind, body, and spirit. mind, body, and spirit.

Veritable Energy Medicine Veritable Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAMRecognized by the NCCAM

Millimeter Wave Therapy:Millimeter Wave Therapy: Low-power Low-power millimeter wave irradiation elicits biological millimeter wave irradiation elicits biological effects and is used to treat skin diseases, effects and is used to treat skin diseases, cancer, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular cancer, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric illnesses. diseases, and psychiatric illnesses.

Sound Energy Therapy:Sound Energy Therapy: Specific sound Specific sound frequencies resonate with specific organs of the frequencies resonate with specific organs of the body to heal and support the body.body to heal and support the body.

Veritable Energy Medicine Veritable Energy Medicine Recognized by the NCCAMRecognized by the NCCAM

Light Therapy:Light Therapy: Light therapy is the use of Light therapy is the use of natural or artificial light to treat various natural or artificial light to treat various ailments.ailments.

Magnet TherapyMagnet Therapy

Products using MagnetsProducts using Magnets

Shoe insolesShoe insoles Heel insertsHeel inserts Mattress PadsMattress Pads BandagesBandages

BeltsBelts Pillows and CushionsPillows and Cushions Bracelets and other Bracelets and other

jewelryjewelry HeadwearHeadwear

Magnet ClaimsMagnet Claims

PainPainRespiratory problemsRespiratory problemsHigh blood pressureHigh blood pressureCirculatory problemsCirculatory problemsArthritisArthritisRheumatismRheumatismStressStress

MechanismsMechanisms

Improve CirculationImprove CirculationRebalance the bodyRebalance the bodyRaise temperatureRaise temperature Increase blood flowIncrease blood flowRemoves toxins Removes toxins Increased WBCIncreased WBC

MagnetsMagnets Magnet strength is measured in the unit gauss Magnet strength is measured in the unit gauss

(G)(G)

Therapeutic magnet 300-5,000 GTherapeutic magnet 300-5,000 G

Refrigerator Magnets 35-200 GRefrigerator Magnets 35-200 G

MRI 200,000 GMRI 200,000 G

Types of MagnetsTypes of Magnets

Static: magnetic field does not changeStatic: magnetic field does not changeElectromagnets: generate magnetic fields Electromagnets: generate magnetic fields

when electrical current flows through themwhen electrical current flows through them

Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Athletic Journal of Athletic Training. Training. 1998; 3:150-156.1998; 3:150-156.

Single blind, placebo studySingle blind, placebo study

45 subjects45 subjects20 males20 males25 females25 females20-32 years of age20-32 years of age

Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Journal of Athletic Training. Athletic Training. 1998; 3:150-156.1998; 3:150-156.

Induced microinjuryInduced microinjuryParticipants received magnet with a field Participants received magnet with a field

strength of 700 G or sham magnetstrength of 700 G or sham magnet

Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Journal of Athletic Training. Athletic Training. 1998; 3:150-156.1998; 3:150-156.

Outcome measuresOutcome measuresVisual analog ScaleVisual analog Scale

Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing Borsa A, Liggett C. Flexible magnets are not effective in decreasing pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. pain perception and recovery time after muscle microinjury. Journal of Journal of Athletic Training. Athletic Training. 1998; 3:150-156.1998; 3:150-156.

Results not significant at the P>0.05 and Results not significant at the P>0.05 and thus ability of magnets to decrease thus ability of magnets to decrease perception of pain was not demonstratedperception of pain was not demonstrated

Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomized control 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. trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454.2004; 329: 1450-1454.

Randomized, placebo controlled trialRandomized, placebo controlled trial

194 men and women 194 men and women 45-80 years of age45-80 years of ageDiagnosis of arthritis of the hip and kneeDiagnosis of arthritis of the hip and kneeScored between 8-20 on the WOMAC AScored between 8-20 on the WOMAC A

Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomized control 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. trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454.2004; 329: 1450-1454.

Three parallel groupsThree parallel groupsStandard strength bipolar magnetic braceletStandard strength bipolar magnetic braceletWeak magnetic braceletWeak magnetic braceletNon-magnetic braceletNon-magnetic bracelet

Outcome MeasuresOutcome MeasuresChange in WOMAC A scoreChange in WOMAC A scoreVisual analog scaleVisual analog scale

Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomized control 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. trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454.2004; 329: 1450-1454.

Patient compliance was assessed at 4-10 Patient compliance was assessed at 4-10 weeksweeks

Tested blinding by questioning participants Tested blinding by questioning participants on belief of having an active or inactive on belief of having an active or inactive bracelet and their reasons for such beliefbracelet and their reasons for such belief

5 bracelets from each group were tested 5 bracelets from each group were tested by the National Physical Laboratory to by the National Physical Laboratory to confirm manufacturer’s specificationconfirm manufacturer’s specification

Table 2 Mean scores of WOMAC A at baseline and 4 and 12 weeks by randomization to standard, weak, and dummy magnetic bracelets.

StandardStandard WeakWeak DummyDummy

BaselineBaseline 10.710.7 11.011.0 10.910.9

4 Weeks4 Weeks 8.98.9 9.19.1 9.59.5

12 Weeks12 Weeks 7.87.8 8.88.8 9.39.3

•Significant difference between standard and Significant difference between standard and placebo groups of 1.3 (p>0.03)placebo groups of 1.3 (p>0.03)•No significant difference between the No significant difference between the standard and weak groupsstandard and weak groups

Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, Brown L, Hart A, Ernst E. Randomised control trial of 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. magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BJM. BJM. 2004; 329: 1450-1454.2004; 329: 1450-1454.

Limitation of Magnet Therapy Limitation of Magnet Therapy ResearchResearch

No known mechanismNo known mechanismPlacebo effectPlacebo effectOther factors contributing to success or Other factors contributing to success or

failurefailure Inconsistency on magnet type, strength Inconsistency on magnet type, strength

and length of useand length of useSmall number of participantsSmall number of participants Inconsistency with claims for magnet Inconsistency with claims for magnet

strength of manufacturersstrength of manufacturers

ConclusionsConclusions

Research is inconclusiveResearch is inconclusive

More research is needed with stronger More research is needed with stronger study designs and standards study designs and standards

As professionals will we turn to science to As professionals will we turn to science to accept or reject a method of healing or will accept or reject a method of healing or will we acknowledge limitations of healing and we acknowledge limitations of healing and research?research?