Elsevier Biomedical Press. Pain Therapy, R. Rizzi and M. Visentin eds.
«The Possible Role of Pulsating Magnetic Fields in the Reduction of Pain».
Dr. Ulrich Warnke University of Saarland, Germany.
"From bibliography and clinical experiments we know that pulsating Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)-magnetic fields (also Magnetic Therapy or Pulsating Magnetic Therapy) are able to reduce pain sensation immediately. Our aim is to find out how the pulsating field works, what is the mechanism of action in the human and animal body."
"According to these conditions we have found 3 indicators for the effectiveness of alternating pulsating magnetic fields, which simultaneously signalize the possibility of a therapeutic application in human medicine:

1. The active widening of the diameter of blood vessels ;
2. The O2-partial pressure in terminal tissue;
3. The local perfusion and velocity of capillary blood flow."

"Under the influence of magnetic fields , thermogrames clearly show a steadily increasing energy radiation from the body originating in the blood vessels, continually becoming lighter in color and gradually covering the surrounding tissue, when observed on the monitor. Evidently, the dilatation of the blood vessels is the cause of this phenomenon."

"It is worthwhile noting:

(a) That a large blood vessel dilates as well as the nutritive capillaries of the periphery,
(b) That pulsating magnetic fields applied to the head need the lowest induction intensity in order to achieve a reaction."

"A variation of the oxygen partial pressure is a direct consequence of a modified circulation in tissue by means of determined magnetic fields. Pulsating magnetic fields with the above mentioned characteristics are able to increase rapidly the transcutaneously measured oxygen in the terminal tissue."

"Therefore the effect of alternating magnetic fields is the result of the balance between the frequency of action potentials of the nerve and the hyper polarization by the frequency of Eddy currents ."

"Therefore, we believe that pain caused by an acute or chronic oxygen deficiency due to small vascularization and blood flow with accumulation of mathabolits and transmitted by the sympathic nervous system can be reduced in the described way by ELF-pulsating magnetic fields. We have discussed here only the pain reducing effect of magnetic fields, but I would like to mention at this point that magnetic fields also have a therapeutical effect in a great number of indications."

Clinical experiments show that pulsating magnetic therapy can reduce pain sensation immediately