Magnetic therapy

Complementary and alternative medicine CAM. Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH]... 

Many individuals claim that magnet therapy can cure or alleviate their aches and pains. The process can be linked to Chinese healers as far back as 20(X) B.C. and entails physically attaching a magnet to the problem area or directly on it. It is believed that the magnets correct unhealthy flow in the body and balance chi or energy. Studies appear fruitful and magnets offer promise particularly for those who suffer from chronic pain. 

Magnetic therapy is considered an effective non-invasive, no-side-effects treatment that can speed recovery from a variety of conditions ranging from tendinitis and back pain to migraine headaches and a neuromuscular condition known as fibromyalgia. Application of one or more small, powerful magnets to the area of an injury will relieve pain and accelerate healing. Figure 4.15 is a bottom per-... 

In recent years, Americans and others have tended to rely less and less on modern, scientific medical practices and remedies for treating many medical conditions. Popular magazines, television shows, and newspapers routinely include stories about alternative medical treatments, aromatherapy, herbal and natural remedies, magnet therapy, touch therapy, psychic healing, acupuncture, and homeopathy. The debate over the efficacy of such treatments continues. It is safe to say, however, that most, if not all, of these treatment methods have not been subjected to the same rigorous scientific standards as most modern medical practices and treatments. 

Roc AC, Ances BM, Chawla S, Korczykowski M, Wolf RL, Kolson DL, Detre JA, Poptani H (2007) Detection of hnman immnnodeficiency virus induced inflammation and oxidative stress in lenticnlar nnclei with magnetic resonance spectroscopy despite antiretroviral therapy. Arch Nenrol 64(9) 1249-1257... 

Hirsch, L.R., Stafford, R.J., Bankson, J.A., Sershen, S.R., Rivera, B., Price, R.E., Hazle, J.D., Halas, N.J. and West, J.L (2003) Nanoshell-mediated near-infrared thermal therapy of tumors under magnetic resonance guidance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 100, 13549-13554. 

In a different way, metallic-core nanoparticles [346-349] (prepared cf. Section 3.10) equipped with biocompatible coats such as L-cysteine or dextrane may be exploited for highly efficient and cell-specific cancer cell targeting, i.e., for improving diagnosis and therapy of human cancer. In a recent proof-of-principle experiment an unexpectedly low toxicity of the L-cysteine-covered cobalt nanoparticles was demonstrated [433] For diagnostic purposes, it is expected to use the advantageous magnetic properties of the metallic-core nanoparticles to obtain a contrast medium for MRI with considerably increased sensitivity, capable to detect micro-metastases in the environment of healthy tissues [434 37]. 

Imaging studies, such as x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can identify osteomyelitis. Blood cultures should be obtained from all patients with signs and symptoms of systemic illness. Deep tissue cultures may help to direct therapy. Bone also maybe sent for culture in cases of osteomyelitis. Superficial cultures are unreliable and should be avoided. 

Dye-doped polymeric beads are commonly employed in different formats (Fig. 5), namely as water-dispersible nanosensors, labels and in composite materials (DLR-referenced and multianalyte sensors, sensor arrays, magnetic materials, etc.). The sensing properties of the dye-doped beads are of little or no relevance in some more specific materials, e.g., the beads intended for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The different formats and applications of the beads will be discussed in more detail in the following section, and the relative examples of sensing materials will be given. 

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