Guest article provided by: tcmtips.com
Marion Boorman recently decided to buy a package of magnetic acupressure patches from Dragon Acupuncture after reading that magnets might assist with hearing problems. She was somewhat surprised by the results.
Instantaneously, Marion reported an improvement in her hearing. The improvement was at a level that allows Marion to attend a social gathering and even visit the theatre without the need to wear her hearing aid. The improvement in hearing persists, and Marion continues to wear the magnet to help her go outside without having to wear her hearing aid.
When it comes to holistic medicine and remedies, there is quite an extensive range of options that people are presented with today. These remedies come from ancient times and can help in the management and treatment of just about every health ailment.
Magnetic therapy stems from ancient times, providing several potential health benefits for the human body. Most commonly associated with relief in pain, the story is quite different for one woman. We explore new benefits that one woman was able to experience – a benefit that does not fall within the regular advantages most often associated with magnetic acupressure patches.
What Are Magnetic Acupressure Patches?
Magnetic acupressure patches are small magnet pieces that are placed on the skin. The magnets are usually covered with some sort of plaster to keep it in place. There are several reasons why people decide to try magnetic acupressure patches.
The idea behind these patches stems from alternative medicines – in particular, the patches take advantage of magnetic therapy’s theories. The idea is to use a static magnetic that sits in a single place to provide certain benefits to the body.
One of the significant benefits that have been associated with magnetic therapy would be an alleviation of pain symptoms.
There are various items on the market that contain these therapeutic magnets that may yield such benefits. Bracelets with therapeutic magnets are very popular. There are also rings and shoe inserts that come with integrated therapeutic magnets.
Could Magnetic Acupressure Patches Be The Answer To Better Hearing?
Dragon Acupuncture recently sold a packet of this magnetic acupressure to a female customer who had experienced poor hearing for the last few years. Marion, the customer who decided to try the magnetic acupressure patches, had been wearing a hearing aid for the past couple of years.
Marion had a history in holistic and alternative medicine and came across details of magnet therapy, potentially providing an improvement in hearing. Following this finding, she decided to try this process for herself. She bought a pack of the magnetic acupressure patches from Dragon Acupuncture and decided to place a magnetic on her right ear.
Even though Marion had experienced reduced hearing in both ears, her right ear was affected at a more significant level. This is why she decided to try the patch on her right ear at first.
Marion reports: “I noticed an improvement in my hearing straight away.”
Before we go into more detail, let’s consider how Marion used the magnetic patches. She reports placing the magnetic acupressure patches on the right ear, according to the instructions provided. Marion wore the magnetic patch from the 27th of January 2020 to the 1st of February 2020. After taking a break for a few days, she continued to wear a new patch on the 6th of February 2020.
Marion did decide to take a break from wearing the magnetic acupressure patches as per the recommended usage instructions.
Between the 13th and 23rd of February 2020, Marion decided to wear a single patch without taking a break or replacing it.
She continues to experience the improvements in her hearing. Marion explains that she no longer needs to wear her hearing piece when she decides to go out. The effects remain present.
Furthermore, Marion explains that she did not experience any side-effects while she is wearing the magnetic patches behind her right ear.
During the first few days of use, Marion did notice an effect she refers to as a “bubbling sensation” in her right ear. A nurse practitioner examined her ear canal and found no problems. The sensation has faded in the meantime. This was a minor side-effect that was only temporary while wearing a magnetic acupressure patch.
Marion also reports trying the same procedure on her left ear. While the hearing level was much lower in the right ear, she says having some difficulty with her left ear too. Unfortunately, the same effects were not present when she placed a magnetic acupressure patch on her left ear.
Even so, Marion still reports enjoying the ability to leave home without the need to wear a hearing piece in her right ear.
Marion reports: “I can hear clearly.”
Since wearing the magnetic acupressure patch behind her right ear, Marion has been able to watch TV without any problems. She has also been to the theatre and can even clearly hear a friend talking when they are standing in a big crowd.
Is There Any Scientific Evidence To Back Up These Claims?
There are no specific studies that show that a magnetic acupressure patch will cause an improvement in hearing. There are, however, a few studies that are on this track. Even though many of these studies are not entirely relevant to Marion’s case, they still hold the potential to tell us a little about the effects that she experienced.
A Nature Research Scientific Report used repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to see how it would affect the hearing ability of patients. These patients had had sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which is not the same as Marion’s case.
Hearing function improved among patients who received the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. There was also an improvement in symptoms associated with tinnitus among some of the patients.
The repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was provided to patients in the region just above their auditory cortex. Auditory processing was also reported to have improved significantly.
In another study, magnet-based implantable auditory assist devices were used. The study looked at how the use of a magnet in these auditory assist devices would affect the hearing function of the patient. It should be noted that the research was conducted on a group of children. All children experienced conductive hearing loss. The use of the magnetic auditory assist devices was considered an intervention to prevent further loss of auditory processing.
Researchers reported effective results in children who received the MIAAD device. This provided evidence that the addition of a magnet might help to stimulate an improvement in hearing function. It was noted that the initial fitting should include a weaker magnet strength, which can gradually be increased if necessary.
Other Benefits Associated With Magnetic Acupressure Patches
Many benefits could come with the use of magnetic acupressure patches. While research regarding its use in hearing loss is insufficient, and further studies might be needed, there is scientific evidence for various health-related advantages previously associated with magnet therapy.
In one study, patients with osteoarthritis received a magnetic bracelet. The therapeutic magnets were placed on the palm of the patient’s hand. The goal was to see if there would be an improvement in pain symptoms with the addition of a magnet. Patients with osteoarthritis reported a noticeable reduction in the pain that they had suffered from.
The surprising finding of the study was the fact that pain was relieved in areas other than the wrist. These patients primarily complained about pain symptoms in their knee and hip. The use of a bracelet, placed at the wrist, yielded improvements in pain that affected the hip and knee regions.
With this in mind, the use of these magnetic acupressure patches could yield improvements in pain symptoms related to other conditions too. Many people turn to magnet therapy as a way of potentially relieving themselves of back pain. Lower back pain is a prevalent and very concerning problem in the modern-day world.
Are There Side-Effects To Magnetic Acupressure Patches?
People want to know what they should expect when using magnetic acupressure patches. In Marion’s case, she only experienced a bubbling effect in her ear. No other side-effects were noted while she was wearing the magnetic acupressure patches.
There are a few potential side-effects associated with magnet therapy in general. Not everyone will experience side-effects, as we have seen. Still, it is useful to consider what to expect – including potential adverse events that may happen while wearing a magnetic acupressure patch.
The most common side-effects tend to be nausea and dizziness. These are extremely rare side-effects, however, which means most people will be able to use magnetic acupressure patches with no problem.
Photo credit: Pixabay
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604476/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/1860299
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15604181/