Disclaimer: I am not a physician. I am writing from my research and experience. This post is not meant to take the place of medical care. If you have or suspect you have a heart condition, please seek the appropriate medical care.
Let’s get to the heart of the matter; there’s no better time since February is Heart Health Awareness Month. In honor of giving our hearts some extra love, I teamed up for a collaborative workshop with MacKenzie Hodge, a dear friend and founder of Pawse Active. You will come away with easy strategies to support your cardiovascular health, as well as a 30-minute guided yoga flow rooted in love and mindfulness to promote heart coherence.
Can Biomagnetism Improve Heart Health?
The human heart is truly a miraculous organ and the wellspring of life; it’s at the center of our being and is the strongest source of electromagnetic energy in the body. It’s far more than a pump and produces an electromagnetic field 60 times greater in amplitude than the brain (1). This organ deserves special attention and care every month of the year. But how can you safely and effectively strengthen your ticker? Enter Biomagnetism: a simple, non-invasive therapy that can be done at home, in the office, or even in the car. You heard it here; turn the morning commute into a heart-boosting wellness oasis (I can’t promise it cures road rage, but with magnets, anything is possible). Without further ado, let’s dive into how to support and boost your cardiovascular health with Biomagnetic therapy.
What is Biomagnetism or Biomagnetic Pair Therapy?
Biomagnetism is a functional and integrative therapy developed by Dr.Issac Goiz Duran. Magnet pairs are placed on specific locations of the body to correct PH imbalances and increase blood flow and oxygenation. At its core, Biomagnetism is a terrain-based approach, working with the body to strengthen and achieve homeostasis. When the body is in balance, it can more easily handle stressors, helping to keep disease processes at bay.
Working with an experienced biomagnetic pair therapist for specialized support and using magnets yourself at home can enhance your quality of life and may even help reduce risks associated with heart disease. As a Biomagnetic therapist, I have witnessed patients increase their stamina, recover strength, and aid in overall well-being by using magnets. It never ceases to amaze me how beautifully the body heals and fortifies when given the right tools.
Success Story: Longevity and Cardiac Support
One of those beautiful stories hits very close to home. My father is a testament to the benefits of Biomagnetism, especially when it comes to heart health. He began using the magnets regularly, and his cardiovascular conditioning improved in his late 70s. He was feeling so well he picked up an old hobby, downhill skiing. Over several years, he went from needing multiple breaks per run to completing peak-to-base runs without any breaks! Amazingly his stamina and cardiovascular conditioning were improving as he aged.
During a yearly check-up, his doctor found some severe blockages in his coronary arteries. They believed the blockages to be approximately five years old and so severe that he should have needed assistance walking. He then went on to tell them about his skiing adventures and a 10-mile hike he had done just weeks before. They were astounded. Hiking 10 miles and skiing Lake Tahoe is pretty good at 38, let alone 78!
Dad fully credits biomagnetism with improving his circulation and stamina, allowing him to enjoy things that, according to his doctor, should not be possible. He still uses his magnets weekly and feels confident they keep him in tip-top shape.
Supporting Heart Health with Magnets
Did you know common viruses, fungi, and bacteria can infect the body, leading to heart rhythm abnormalities and inflammation? Our body is more than half water, so I often compare it to a swimming pool. When water is stagnant and lacks oxygen and movement, it becomes a breeding ground for pathogens; think of gross green pool water at the beginning of spring. The same holds true for the body. When the body’s pH is altered by toxins, stress, and other environmental assaults, the pathogens take over territory, and the disease process begins.
Biomagnetism is a simple and effective way to strengthen the body, allowing it to fend off invaders that can cause arrhythmia, inflammation, and other concerning heart symptoms. In addition to aiding the immune system's ability to fend off pathogens, Biomagnetism also helps reduce the Rouleaux Effect. The Rouleaux Effect, or sticky blood as some call it, is when blood cells stack together like a stack of coins (2). Your blood should flow seamlessly like little cheerios through veins and arteries. However, when these cells stick together, it's a telltale sign that inflammation is present and circulation is compromised. Using specific Biomagnetic pairs can help the blood cells to flow naturally and without stickiness, which in turn aids heart health and overall wellness.
Biomagnetic Pairs for Heart Health
Magnet Placement Basics
Before I teach you my favorite Biomagnetic pairs for heart health, let’s go over some Biomagnetism basics. Whenever placing the magnets bilaterally, meaning on both sides of the body, the black side of the magnet will face down to the skin on the right side of the body and the red magnet will face down to the skin on the left side of the body. If you're still unsure, I demonstrate each of these pairs in the workshop. You can use tape (medical, masking, painter's, etc) to easily secure the magnets. Grab your magnets and follow along for a quick and painless boost to your vitality.
Carotid Artery to Carotid Artery
This pair is simple to utilize and is excellent for those who have a family history or any concerns about heart disease. I frequently use carotid to carotid to give my brain and body a boost of efficient blood flow; full disclosure I’m wearing this pair as I type this blog. Magnetizing the carotid artery helps increase blood flow to the brain and other areas of the body while reducing the propensity of red blood cells to stick together (rouleaux effect). Proper blood flow is essential to keep your heart rhythm strong and support your body's vital processes.
I recommend using this magnet pair at least once a week, but you could use it as often as you feel necessary, even daily. There’s no such thing as over-magnetizing, so have no fear! Twenty minutes is a good amount of time to aim for, but you can always leave them on longer for added benefit. I find that a pair of the small size magnets work well and are easy to tape or clip on when you’re relaxing, driving, reading, etc.
Temple to Temple
A great pair for blood pressure regulation and to aid in hypertension support is temple to temple. This pair is helpful for those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury or stroke and can even ease headaches and tension. This is another pair to use small size magnets on.
Kidney to Kidney
The kidneys have a lot to do with modulating blood pressure, and oftentimes, those with high blood pressure have poor arterial flow in their renal arteries. This is the ideal Biomagnetic pair for giving your kidneys extra support. I find large size magnets are the best for use on the kidneys.
Aorta Horizontal Pair
The aorta is the main artery of the body, so this pair is great for general cardiovascular health. This is an ideal time to put your medium size magnets to use.
Herbalism: A Perfect Complement to Biomagnetic Therapy
Many herbs pair exceptionally well with magnet therapy to help support overall vitality. Two of my favorite herbal remedies are Hawthorn and Garlic; these amazing plants are easy to add to your heart health routine and will bring flavor and pizzazz to your favorite dishes. Both have been used for hundreds of years across diverse cultures to reduce inflammation and promote healthy circulation. So, let's learn a bit about Mother Nature’s remedy for supporting blood flow and cardiovascular well-being.
Hawthorn Berries
Hawthorne is a tree in the rose family with many beautiful properties. I love that it can be taken regularly for a multitude of heart-related issues. It’s well known for regulating cholesterol and strengthening the walls of blood vessels due to its ability to support collagen production. Stronger veins and glowing skin are related to proper collagen production, and who doesn’t want both of those? I highly recommend it, especially for those over the age of 45 or anyone with a family history of heart disease. Hawthorne can be taken in a tincture, syrup, or decoction (a long-simmered tea).
Hawthorn Berry Syrup Recipe
2 ounces of dried hawthorn berries (Mountain Rose Herbs - Hawthorn Berry supplier)
1 quart filtered water
1 cup sugar, maple syrup, or honey
Combine the berries and water in a pot and simmer over low until water is reduced in half. Strain off the herbs. You will have two cups of very concentrated tea. Add the sweetener of your choice and stir until it is completely dissolved. If you would like a thicker syrup, you can gently simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator. Add the syrup to anything needing sweetness…tea, coffee, sparkling water, cocktails, or you can enjoy it straight up by the spoonful.
Garlic
In Ayurvedic medicine, garlic is considered the slayer of monsters. Heart disease and inflammation definitely qualify as beastly. The benefits of garlic have spanned the ages; Roman soldiers even packed it when they went off to battle. Time to reach for your sword and boost your body's ability to detoxify and heal with this potent herb. Not everyone can tolerate large amounts of garlic, so it’s best to start with small amounts to access your threshold. You can eat it raw (for the true warriors), use garlic powders, or enjoy something sweeter like my garlic-infused honey recipe below.
Garlic Honey Recipe
1 cup (370ml) honey of choice
2 teaspoons (4g) powdered garlic
Dash of powdered cayenne pepper (optional).
Combine the honey and powdered herbs in a jar. If your honey is thick or you have difficulty stirring in the herbs, place the jar in a double boiler and gently heat on low until you can easily stir the herbs into the honey. Allow it to cool and store for 2 weeks before using. Your garlic honey can be drizzled over grilled meats, vegetables, cheese, or popcorn, added to marinades and dressings, or taken by the spoonful.
Balancing Emotions to Boost Wellness
The heart and mind are intimately connected. Negative emotions like loneliness and anger, anxiety, depression, and chronic stress may increase the risk of heart disease or worsen existing heart issues (3). The body can hold on to the energy and memories associated with negative experiences; our emotions are not just in our heads. This is why we can feel a knot in our stomach or tension in our neck and shoulders when a stressful situation arises. Researchers call this phenomenon embodied emotions (4). Emotions are a beautiful part of what makes us human, but we must be aware and give our bodies space to process them. When I work with clients in a session, it is not uncommon for them to report some shifts in processing emotions, which helps their mindset and their body's ability to heal. Below are a few ways to support your mind and help process emotions that are connected to the heart. You can also get a jump start by following along with MacKenzie in a relaxing, mindful flow at the end of the Heart Health webinar.
Deep breathing and meditation
Journaling
Stretching and movement-based exercise (dancing, Pilates, yoga, etc.)
Forgiveness and love for self and others
Nature walks and outdoor adventures
To wrap up this heartwarming journey, let's remember the essence of heart health isn't just about the physical. It's about harnessing the power of Biomagnetism at home to create a sanctuary for our hearts. With biomagnetism, you're not just protecting your heart; you're embarking on a holistic path to vitality, embracing nature's wisdom through herbalism, and nurturing your emotional well-being with yoga. This February, let's pledge to give our hearts the love, care, and support they deserve with these simple yet powerful practices. Remember, your heart is the center of your being—let's keep it thriving with Biomagnetism.
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