Discovery of Magnetic Therapy

Magnets come from lodestone and the use of this material for therapeutic purposes dates far back into ancient history. Cleopatra would sleep on lodestone to keep her skin youthful. The Greeks and Chinese used magnets for healing purposes starting in 2000 BC. The discovery of magnet therapy as we know it today is a process achieved from the progression of all the following contributors. There are many firsts in magnet therapy.

First in Ancient Times

History has it that around 350 BC Aristotle used magnet therapy. A Greek physcian named Galen practiced treating magnet therapy on various malaises. He lived in 200 BC. He would use the magnets for treating the many aches and pains of his patients. In 1000 AD, Persian physicians also were using them as therapy. There is documentation that magnetic therapy has been in use for thousands of years.

First Inflammatory Use

In the 15th century a Swiss doctor named Paracelsus experimented with the use of magnets on the body's inflammatory process. He wrote medical papers on his discoveries of the power of magnets for the healing process in the body.

First Book On Magnet Therapy

In the 16th century, Dr. William Gilbert from England published the first books on magnet therapy, "De Magnet." He also was the personal physician to Queen Elizabeth I and it is said that he prescribed magnet therapy for her.

First in Biomagnetics

In the 18th century, biomagnetics was founded by Michael Faraday. His work is the foundation for modern-day therapeutic magnetic treatments. His discoveries in magnetic healing were assisted by Dr. Mesmer and Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.

First in Rheumatic and Cancer

In the 20th century, Dr. Kreft from Germany was the first to apply the healing effects of magnets to rheumatic diseases such as sciatic and neuralgia in 1905. Dr. Criles in 1926 experimented with magnets and their impact on cancer cells.

Modern Magnetic Therapy

Magnetic therapy has enjoyed increased interest from researchers in the medical field with more than 57 studies conducted in the United States alone. The University of Hawaii did a study in 1990 on the effects of magnetic fields in people with osteoarthritis.
In 1999, magnetic insoles on diabetic patients were tested at New York Medical College and in 2004, the University of Exeter in England tested patients with osteoarthritis and detected some pain relief after using magnetic bracelets.