Contents
From a scientific point of view, a magnetic field is a state of space in which forces act on electric charges moving in it, as well as on bodies that have a magnetic moment. The magnetic field is used for therapeutic purposes in the treatment of pain and swelling.
What is a magnetic field?
From the beginning of the universe, the sun has sent out waves that create electromagnetic fields, or radiation. At the same time as the sun sends out electromagnetic fields, we can see how its energy radiates, there is visible light.
At the turn of the XNUMXth century, electric lines and indoor lighting spread all over the world. Scientists realized that the power lines that supply all of this energy to the world’s population emit electromagnetic fields just like the sun does.
Over the years, scientists have learned that many emerging electrical devices also generate electromagnetic fields. As the medical world progressed, many of its diagnostic and therapeutic devices, such as X-ray imaging devices and computer tomography, also produced electromagnetic fields.
Today, 90% of the world’s population has access to electricity and uses electrical appliances. This means that a lot of electricity and electromagnetic fields are generated all over the world. Even with all these waves, scientists generally do not believe that electromagnetic fields can have a significant negative effect on the human body.
Read: You get used to radiation
Magnetic field – types of exposure
The radiation exists in the so-called electromagnetic spectrum. This radiation ranges from very high energy (called high frequency) at one end of the spectrum to very low energy (or low frequency) at the other end.
Examples of high-energy radiation include:
- x-rays,
- gamma rays,
- some ultraviolet (UV) rays with higher energy.
This is ionizing radiation, which means that this energy can affect cells at the atomic level by removing an electron from an atom or “ionizing” it. Ionizing radiation can damage the body’s DNA and cells, which can contribute to genetic mutations and cancer.
At the other end of the spectrum is extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation. It is a type of non-ionizing radiation. It can move or vibrate atoms in the body, but most researchers agree that it is not enough to damage DNA or cells.
There are other types of non-ionizing radiation between ELF radiation and high-energy radiation in the spectrum, such as:
- radio frequency (RF) radiation,
- visible light,
- infrared.
In most forms of radiation, the electric and magnetic fields combine into a single field. The result is called an electromagnetic field (EMF). Electric and magnetic fields in ELF radiation can work independently. Therefore, we use the terms “magnetic field” and “electric field” to refer to these two different fields in ELF radiation.
In conclusion, here are the two types of electromagnetic fields that we may be exposed to:
- High frequency EMF – it is ionizing radiation. The scientific literature agrees that high exposures can damage the body’s DNA and cells. Medical devices, such as X-ray imaging devices and computed tomography devices, produce low levels of this type of radiation. Other sources include gamma radiation from radioactive elements and UV radiation from tanning beds or the sun.
- EMF of low and medium frequency – it is non-ionizing radiation. It is mild and considered harmless to humans. Household appliances such as microwave ovens, cell phones, hair dryers, and washing machines, as well as power lines and magnetic resonances, produce this type of radiation. This category of electromagnetic fields includes very low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) and radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF).
Non-ionizing electromagnetic fields come from both natural and man-made sources. The Earth’s magnetic field is an example of a natural electromagnetic field. Man-made electromagnetic fields fall into two types, both generated by non-ionizing radiation:
- Extremely Low Frequency EMF (ELF-EMF) – this non-ionizing radiation field can be generated by a variety of sources including power lines, electrical cables, and personal appliances such as electric shavers, hair dryers, and electric blankets.
- Radio frequency radiation – this non-ionizing radiation field is emitted by wireless devices such as mobile phones, smart meters, tablets and laptops. It is also generated by radio and television signals, radar, satellite stations and MRI devices.
See: Is the coronavirus resistant to ionizing radiation?
Magnetic field – sources
There are both natural and man-made sources of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields. The Earth’s magnetic field, which causes the compass needle to point north, is one example of a naturally occurring electromagnetic field.
Man-made electromagnetic fields fall into both the ELF and radio frequency categories of the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum. These electromagnetic fields can come from many sources.
Extremely Low Frequency EMF (ELF-EMF) – ELF-EMF sources include power lines, electric cables and electrical appliances such as shavers, hair dryers and electric blankets.
Radio frequency radiation – the most common sources of radio frequency radiation are wireless telecommunications devices and equipment, including mobile phones, smart meters and portable wireless devices such as tablets and laptops.
Other common sources of radio frequency radiation include:
- Radio and television signals – AM / FM radios and older VHF / UHF televisions operate at lower radio frequencies than cellular phones. The radio signals are AM (amplitude modulated) or FM (frequency modulated). AM radio is used for very long distance broadcasting, while FM radio covers more localized areas. FM radio antennas and TV antennas, which are much smaller than AM antennas, are typically mounted on top of tall towers. Radio frequency exposures near the base of these towers are below guideline limits, so exposure to the entire population is very low. Sometimes small local radio and TV antennas are installed at the top of the building; access to the roof of such buildings is usually controlled,
- Radars, satellite stations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices and industrial equipment – they operate at slightly higher radio frequencies than cell phones,
- Microwave ovens – used in homes that also operate at slightly higher radio frequencies than cell phones. Microwave ovens are manufactured with effective shielding that limited the penetration of radio frequency radiation from these devices to a barely detectable level,
- Cordless phones – which can operate in analog or DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) technology and typically emit radio frequencies similar to cellular phone frequencies. Since cordless phones have limited range and require a nearby base, their signal strength is usually much lower than that of cell phones.
- Mobile phone base stations – Antenna towers or base stations, including for cellular networks and for broadcasting for radio and television, emit various types of radio frequency energy. Since most people in the general population are only occasionally exposed to base stations and transmitting antennas, it is difficult to estimate human exposure. The strength of these exposures varies with the region’s population density, average distance from the source, and the time of day or day of the week (lower exposures at weekends or at night). In general, exposures decrease with increasing distance from the source. Exposure of maintenance workers has been found to vary depending on their tasks, antenna type and worker location in relation to the source,
- Televisions and computer screens – generate electric and magnetic fields of different frequencies, as well as static electric fields. The liquid crystal displays found in some laptops and desktops do not create significant electric or magnetic fields. Modern computers have conductive screens that reduce the static fields generated by the screen to the normal background level,
- Wireless local networks – commonly known as Wi-Fi. These are specific types of wireless network systems and an increasingly common source of radio frequency radiation. Wireless networks use radio waves to connect Wi-Fi enabled devices to an access point that is connected to the Internet, either physically or through some form of data connection. Most Wi-Fi devices run on radio frequencies that are essentially similar to cell phone frequencies, typically 2,4 to 2,5 GHz, although Wi-Fi devices have emerged in recent years that operate at slightly higher frequencies (5, 5,3). , 5,8 or XNUMX GHz). Exposure to radio frequency radiation from Wi-Fi devices is much lower than from mobile phones.
- Digital electricity and gas meters, also known as “smart meters” – these devices, operating on more or less the same radio frequencies as mobile phones, transmit information on electricity or gas consumption to utilities. Smart meters produce very low-level fields that are sometimes indistinguishable from the total levels of background RF radiation in the home.
For household appliances and other appliances used in the home that require electricity, magnetic field levels are highest near the field source and decrease rapidly with the user’s distance from the source.
See: 5G and health. What is fact and what is myth?
Magnetic field – application in medicine
In medicine, the magnetic field is used in the so-called magnetotherapy. The term magnetotherapy refers to the use of static magnets placed directly on the body, generally over areas of pain. A static magnet is an ordinary permanent magnet, unlike an electromagnetic coil. Static magnets are taped to the body or placed in specially designed products such as straps, scarves or mattress pads.
Static magnets have different strengths. The units for measuring the strength of a magnet are Gauss and Tesla. One Tesla equals 10 gauss. For example, a fridge magnet is about 000 gauss. Therapeutic magnets measure from 50 to 300 gauss.
Therapeutic magnets come in 2 different polarities: unipolar magnets and alternating pole devices. Magnets that have North on one side and South on the other are known as unipolar magnets. Bipolar magnets or alternating poles are made of a sheet of magnetic material with north and south magnets alternating so that both north and south face the skin. This type of magnet has a weaker magnetic field because the alternating magnets tend to oppose each other.
Also check: Magic tricks help in rehabilitating children
Magnetic field in medicine – how does it work?
A common misconception is that magnets attract iron in the blood, thereby moving the blood and stimulating circulation. However, because iron in the blood is bound to hemoglobin, it cannot react freely to a magnetic field.
Static magnets can affect charged particles in the blood, nerves, and cell membranes, or subtly alter biochemical reactions. However, biophysicists are skeptical that the static magnets available on the market are strong enough to have significant effects on the body.
Pulsating magnetic field therapy – indications
Pulsed magnetic field therapy works by stimulating cells by sending magnetic energy into the body to repair cell dysfunction and promote body well-being. The human body’s natural magnetic field works together with the energy waves sent by the pulsed magnetic field to increase the amount of ions and electrolytes in the body and improve healing.
The therapy works in parallel with the body’s natural regeneration process, helping with chronic pain. Since the human body needs electricity to send signals, therapy works by stimulating the cell so that it is positively charged. This, in turn, enables the cell to release further electric currents, which then turn into pulses.
Pulsed magnetic field therapy is usually prescribed by doctors for the following ailments:
- arthritis,
- peripheral neuropathy,
- osteoporosis,
- chronic fatigue,
- fractures without union.
Pulsed magnetic field therapy is a completely safe process and you can get rid of pain and discomfort without having to undergo invasive surgery. Some of the other benefits of therapy are as follows:
- correction of cellular dysfunctions,
- increasing energy in the body,
- improvement of sports results,
- stimulation of cell regeneration,
- reducing inflammation and pain,
- acceleration of the regeneration process.