Skip to main content
Log in

Therapeutic application of static magnetic fields

  • Published:
The Environmentalist Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The interest toward clinical application of magnetic and electromagnetic stimulation increases worldwide. Numerous publications discussed the possibility exogenous magnetic and electromagnetic fields to initiate effects on various biological processes, which are of critical importance for healing of different injuries and pathologies. Today, magnetic and electromagnetic fields are increasingly utilized for treatment of various musculoskeletal injuries and pathologies. For musculoskeletal injuries and post-surgical, post traumatic and chronic wounds, reduction of edema is a major therapeutic factor in the acceleration of pain and stress relief, and thus contribute to healing processes. Electromagnetic and magnetic fields appear to be unique in their safety during clinical use. The application of this new modality will be facilitated by searching for biophysical mechanisms of action as well as by establishing exact dosimetry of application. In that respect basic science research needs to be developed in parallel with clinical applications. Magnetotherapy provides a non-invasive, safe, and easy method to directly treat the site of injury, the source of pain and inflammation, and other types of injury. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that magnetotherapy has to overcome—both from the mainstream medicine as well as from the manufacturers and distributors of magnetic devices. The physical principle of magnetism as well as the physiological bases for the use of magnetic field for tissue repair are subjects of this review.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adey, W. R. (1993). Electromagnetic technology and the future of bioelectromagnetics. In M. Blank (Eds.), Electricity and magnetism in biology and Medicine (pp. 101–108). NY: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W. R. (2004). Potential therapeutic application of non-thermal electromagnetic fields: Ensemble organization of cells in tissue as a factor in biological field sensing. In P. J. Rosch & M. S. Markov (Eds.), Bioelectromagnetic medicine (pp. 1–12). NY: Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayrapetyan S. & Markov M. (Eds.), (2006). Bioelectromagnetics: Current concepts. Stuttgart: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes F. & Greenebaum B. (Eds.), (2006). Handbook of biological effects of electromagnetic fields. Boca Raton Fl: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassett, C. A. L. (1989). Fundamental and practical aspects of therapeutical uses of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). Critical Review of Biomedical Engineering, 17, 451–529.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bassett, C. A. L. (1992). Bioelectromagnetics in the service of medicine. Bioelectromagnetics, 13, 7–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bassett, C. A. L. (1994). Therapeutic uses of electric and magnetic fields in orthopedics. In D. Karpenter & S. Ayrapetyan (Eds.), Biological effects of electric and magnetic fields (pp. 13–18). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleary, S. F. (1994). Biophysical aspects of electromagnetic field effects on mammalian cells. In A. Frey (Eds.), On the nature of electromagnetic field interactions with biological systems (pp.␣28–42). Austin TX: R.G.Landes Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colbert, A., Wahbeh, H., Connelly, E., Markov, M., et al. (2007). Static magnetic field therapy: A critical review of treatment parameters. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (in press).

  • Detlavs, I. (1987). Electromagnetic therapy in traumas and diseases of the support-motor apparatus. Riga RMI, p. 198.

  • Gilbert, W. (1600). DE MAGNETE. (Written in Latin, Translated and published by Dover Publication, 1991, p. 368).

  • Jerabek, J. (1994). An overview of present research into magnetotherapy. In Coghill R Proceedings of first world congress on magnetotherapy, Lower Race, Pontypool: 5–78.

  • Kostarakis, P. & Markov, M. (2005). (Eds.), The environmentalist, special issue 25 issues 2–4.

  • Lawrence, R., Rosch, P. J., & Plowden, J. (1998). Magnet therapy. The pain cure alternative. Rocklin CA: Prima Publishing, pp. 241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markov, M. S. (1987). Biophysical aspects of the application of electromagnetic fields in orthopedics and traumatology. In I. Detlav (Eds.), Electromagnetic therapy in traumas and diseases of the support-motor apparatus (pp. 76–86). Zinatie: Riga.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markov M. (1994). Biological effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields. In S. Ueno (Eds.), Biomagnetic stimulation (pp. 91–103). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markov, M. S. (2004). Myosin light chain phosphorylation modification depending on magnetic fields I. Theoretical––Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine 23, 55–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markov, M. S. (2004). Myosin light chain phosphorylation modification depending on magnetic fields II. Experimental Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine 23, 125–140.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markov M. S. (2004). Magnetic and electromagnetic field therapy: Basic principles of application for pain relief. In P. J. Rosch & M. S. Markov (Eds.), Bioelectromagnetic medicine (pp. 251–264). NY: Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markov, M. S., & Pilla, A. A. (1995). Electromagnetic field stimulation of soft tissues. Wounds, 7, 143–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markov, M. S., & Todorov, N. G. (1984). Electromagnetic field stimulation of some physiological properties. Studia Biophysica, 99, 151–156.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markov M. S., Todorov SI, & Ratcheva, M. R. (1975). Biomagnetic effects of the constant magnetic field action on water and physiological activity. In K. Jensen & Y. U. Vassileva (Eds.). Physical bases of biological information transfer (pp. 441–445). N.Y: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLean, M. J., Holcomb, R. R., Wamil, A. W., Pickett, J. D., & Cavopol, AV. (1995). Blockade of sensory neuron action potentials by a static magnetic field in the 10 mT range. Bioelectromagnetics, 16, 20–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, C., & Skalak, T. (2005). Static magnetic fields alter arteriolar tone in␣vivo. Bioelectromagnetics, 26, 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohkubo, C., & Xu, S. (1997). Acute effects of static magnetic fields on cutaneous microcirculation in rabbits. In Vivo, 11, 221–225.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okano, H., & Ohkubo, C. (2001). Modulatory effects of static magnetic fields on blood pressure in rabbits. Bioelectromagnetics, 22, 408–418.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okano, H., & Ohkubo, C. (2003a). Anti-pressor effects of whole-body exposure to static magnetic field on pharmacologically induced hypertension in conscious rabbits. Bioelectromagnetics, 24, 139–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okano, H., Masuda, H., & Ohkubo, C. (2005a). Effects of 25 mT static magnetic field on blood pressure in reserpine-induced hypotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats. Bioelectromagnetics, 26, 36–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pilla, A. A., & Markov, M. S. (1994). Weak electromagnetic field bioeffects. Review of Environmental Health, 10, 155–169.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosch, P. J. & Markov, M. S. (2004). (Eds.) Bioelectromagnetic medicine, Marcel Dekker, p. 850.

  • Shupak, N. (2003). Therapeutic uses of pulsed magnetic-field exposure: A review. Radio Science Bulletin#, 307, 9–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sisken, B. F., & Walker, J. (1995). Therapeutic aspects of electromagnetic fields for soft tissue healing. In Blank, M. (Ed.) Electromagnetic fields: Biological interactions and mechanisms, advances in chemistry v.250 (pp. 277–286). Washington DC.

  • Todorov, N. (1982). Magnetotherapy, Sofia: Meditzina i Physcultura Publishing House, pp. 106.

  • Zukov, B. N., & Lazarovich, V. G. (1989). Magnetotherapy in angiology. Zdorovie: Kiev, p. 111.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marko S. Markov.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Markov, M.S. Therapeutic application of static magnetic fields. Environmentalist 27, 457–463 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-007-9072-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-007-9072-1

Keywords

Navigation