MT BASE PLUS GIMA SpA
30 Manuale d’Istruzioni/Instruction’s Manual MA321IGBb
MAGNETOTHERAPY
The effect of natural magnets has been known since ancient times and ancient too are the
empirical attempts to use them in medicine. In reality, only in the last decades have studies been
made on the phenomena resulting from the interaction between magnetic fields and biological
tissues and an appropriate biophysical solution been sought. Two schools of thought have
formed in western countries: one American and the other European, each referring to a different
methodology. The American system (studied by Basset) uses magnetic impulses in order to
obtain electromotive forces induced in the proximity of bone segments which have been
fractured. The inductors must be positioned so as to obtain a dynamic between the piezoelectric
component of the bone and the currents produced. In effect, a sort of deep electrotherapy is
achieved without inserting needles or electrodes, as had already been pre-empted by French
researchers, which can benefit, in particular, pseudoarthrosis.
The European system is based on magnetic fields, using the connection between the line of
force of the external magnetic field and that of the microscopic components inside the
biological structures, at both an ionic as well as cellular level.
Devices
Besides the devices proposed by Basset which apply to specific indications (slow healing,
pseudoarthrosis) and have a wide scientific and clinical following, although they do raise
questions about the therapeutic methods (applications of 8 hours per day for at least 5 months),
we are mainly interested in the devices more readily available in our country.
Excluding permanent magnets (placed on bracelets or in the form of plasters purchased from
major stores), which do not have an insignificant experimental and clinical base, two types of
devices are currently available:
1) Devices producing low frequency magnetic fields induced by sinusoidal or rectangular type
currents.
2) High frequency electromagnetic therapy devices.
Magnetotherapy is part of physical therapy based on low frequency and low intensity pulsed
magnetic fields, using the action of a magnetic field induced by electric current which travels
along a coil (solenoid).
The fundamental principle on which magnetotherapy is based is that of bringing order in an
area presumed to be in magnetic disorder.
This is achieved by direct or indirect action on certain important components of the body such
as:
1. Endorphins and derivatives which modulate pain sensitivity (analgesic effect);
2. If the permeability of a cell membrane is altered, it cannot control the sodium pump and
results in a cellular oedema (anti-oedemic and anti-inflammatory effect);
3. The ortho- and parasympathetic systems, which, stimulated on the basis of the quality,
intensity and duration of the magnetic field, can induce various local (suprarenal medullar) and
general (circulating catecholamines) responses. Depending on the ortho- and parasympathetic
stimulation, alpha or beta receptors and various metabolisms (glucidic, protidic and lipidic) are
affected.
