Electromagnetic therapy
Electromagnetic therapy is a form of alternative medicine which claims to treat disease by applying electromagnetic energy to the body.[1][2] It has been labelled pseudoscientific by its critics. A related alternative treatment, magnet therapy, uses the application of static (non-varying) magnetic fields.
Use
Some proponents of electromagnetic therapy believe that "harmful electromagnetic fields" might "disrupt the body's chemical makeup resulting in disease and illness."[3] The University of California Medical Centre, Moore Cancer Centre, offers alternative therapies for cancer patients. However, it clearly states on its website that to their knowledge "there is no scientific evidence available that any electromagnetic therapies work." [3]
Criticism
The American Cancer Society says that "relying on electromagnetic treatment alone and avoiding conventional medical care, may have serious health consequences." Many electromagnetic therapy devices have never been scientifically proven effective in the treatment of disease. In some cases, the devices may be not only ineffective but harmful in and of themselves. [4]
See also
- Bioelectricity
- Bioelectromagnetics
- Electromagnetic radiation and health
- Electromagnetism
- Hulda Regehr Clark
- Blood electrification
- Royal Rife
- Magnet therapy
References
- ↑ Gordon GA (2007 Jun 18). "Designed electromagnetic pulsed therapy: Clinical applications". Pub Med. Retrieved 2007-06-23. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ Luben RA (1991 Jul). "Effects of low-energy electromagnetic fields (pulsed and DC) on membrane signal transduction processes in biological systems". Pub Med. Retrieved 2007-06-23. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Moore Cancer Centre. "Complementary and Alternative Therapies For Cancer Patients".
- ↑ The American Cancer Society. "Electromagnetic Therapy".