Electric & Magnetic Fields Electric and magnetic fields, studied by mainstream science, are also touted by pseudoscientists in many ways, seemingly lending a scientific air to certain forms of medical quackery. One example is a belief that an "aura" or "energy field" (or even "electromagnetic field") emanates from a person's body and can be "read" psychically to reveal his or her personality traits, psychological states, and physical illness. (The body does in fact, give off certain radiations, but they do not represent a single unified phenomenon, nor have they been shown to have the mystical properties attributed to alleged auras. See Joe Nickell, "Aura Photography," Skeptical Inquirer, May/June 2001, pp. 15–17.)
Forms of alternative medicine related to electric and magnetic fields include metal and gem therapy which is based on the notion that different gemstones and metals affect the body's "electromagnetic field" in different ways. For example, emeralds can allegedly "balance" one's chakras (supposed "energy centers") and cleanse and heal the aura, while copper is said to cure rheumatism and arthritis.
Magnetism was believed to "draw out" pain, and one popular superstition involved placing a horseshoe magnet at the bottom of one's bed, the prongs pointing toward the feet, as a cure for leg cramps. Today, magnetic therapy is a fad among some professional athletes and others who purchase magnetic pain-relief products, including magnetic bead necklaces and magnet-studded neck and wrist wraps, shoe inserts, etc. (see James D. Livingston, "Magnetic Therapy: Plausible Attraction?" Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 1998, pp.25–30.)
For further reading, see:
Jack Raso, The Dictionary of Metaphysical Healthcare, Loma Linda California: The National Council Against Health Fraud, 1996;
Peter Lorie, Superstitions, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1992, pp. 42-69;
Bob McCoy, Quack! Tales of Medical Fraud from the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices, Santa Monica, California: Santa Monica Press, 2000.
Copper bracelets are still being sold, keeping alive the old superstition that they could alleviate arthritis and rheumatism. Some models also include magnets to enlist their supposed pain-relieving power as well.
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