Dr. Alicia Armitstead Dr. Alicia Armitstead

Biomagnetic Pair Therapy - A Therapy For Everyone

Biomagnetic Pair Therapy (BMP) was discovered by Dr. Isaac Goiz Durán in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1988 after attending a seminar on researching the impact of single pole magnetic fields on living organisms. BMP, often called Biomagnetism therapy, is practiced in many countries, especially in Central America, South America and Europe. It is a non-invasive therapy based on the assumption that medical conditions may simultaneously alter the pH of two organs or specific regions in the body. This alteration in the body’s pH may cause dis-ease in the body resulting in specific chronic, complex, degenerative diseases, syndromes and tumors that affect a person’s health. Biomagnetism uses the application of therapeutic grade magnets on specific locations and patterns on the body applying opposite polarities (north and south poles) to affect the pH in that location of the body. The resonance caused by the magnetic pairs/patterns changes the body's susceptibility to bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections.

The process of adjusting the local pH in one’s body works together with our body’s own natural ability to heal and re-establish normal pH, also known as homeostasis. One of the greatest advantages of biomagnetism is that it is perfectly compatible with any other traditional and/or alternative wellness modality.

The belief and study of the use of magnets on human health and healing goes back thousands of years. In fact, the Yellow Emperor's Book of Internal Medicine, published in China around 2,000 B.C., mentions the application of magnetic stones to correct health imbalances. Legend has it that Cleopatra slept with a magnetic stone on her forehead to preserve her youthful appearance (perhaps trying to cause the pineal gland in the brain to release melatonin) and the Greek philosopher Aristotle spoke about using magnets as a healing therapy.

Biomagnetism Therapy is different from traditional magnetic therapy. Magnet therapy often uses sleeping pads or bracelets with single pole magnets. The south pole is analgesic or pain relieving. The north pole is anti-inflammatory. These magnets usually have a low intensity of 100 to 500 gauss and are applied for long periods of time such as hours or days.

BMP uses magnets of 1,000 to 4,000 gauss to produce a medium bio-magnetic field and are applied to the body for a certain amount of minutes depending on your location, specifically the geographical latitude, on Earth. The reason your location matters is because the earth’s magnetic field is strongest and the most stable at the Equator. This strength and stability decreases with increasing distance north or south of the equator. It is important to note that leaving the magnets on longer will not increase the benefits nor harm the person. During a BMP session, similar to NRT (instead of using the arms it’s done via the legs) the practitioner will use muscle testing to ask the body questions about its health. We evaluate the leg length for a positive response. Once the positive response is determined, you can ask the body which magnetic pairs are needed for health. After the body scan is done, magnets will be placed on the body for the appropriate amount of time.

A simple way to understand why this therapy is so beneficial is by taking a closer look at the concept of Viral Load. For example, when someone is tested for the Influenza Virus, commonly known as the Flu, they will be tested using the most common test called “rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs).” Typically, a special swab that may look similar to a long cotton swab is used to take a sample from your nose or throat. These tests require the specimen to produce a certain amount of the virus, known as Viral Load, to result in a positive test. As a very basic example, if you must produce a 5 on the test, but your specimen only produces a 4, you will test negative for the Flu. However, that does not negate that the flu virus is in the body and left untreated could cause alterations in one’s health.

As humans who interact with other humans, animals, and plants on a daily basis, we are in constant contact with viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. Clients come in complaining of pain, insomnia, digestive issues, inflammation, breathing issues, brain fog, you name it, only to be told there isn’t anything specifically wrong or misdiagnosed. Often they will have multiple infections of varying bacterias, viruses, parasites, or fungi, but none are enough to show up on standard medical tests. Our body's immune system, if strong and healthy, can handle much higher loads of these pathogens whereas weaker or compromised immune systems will struggle with even the tiniest amounts of a pathogen. Each human body is different and one’s personal ability to handle any amount of a virus will vary especially depending on the foods we consume and our stress levels. With BMP, we believe the constant load of varying levels of these pathogens on the body can cause a breaking point that creates dis-ease in the body leading someone to seek endless medical help.

By using magnets to change the pH level in the body these pathogens, when present, cannot survive. Like an onion, we work in layers to help the natural healing process of the body by balancing the pH to its optimal level, which prior to the therapy was distorted by lingering pathogens. The cells can become healthy again and the body is able to heal itself as it was originally designed to do. Whether you are experiencing severe symptoms or looking to maintain your longevity, Biomagnetism is a great therapy to help the body maintain homeostasis.

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Dr. Alicia Armitstead Dr. Alicia Armitstead

10 Tips for a Healthy Home

Taking care of your body which is your lifelong home is so important to maintain the health you have.  We cannot take our health for granted and learning to be healthy by eating the right foods and using less toxic material in our daily life is what we teach at Healing Arts.  The environment that we spend much of our time in also has a huge impact on our mental and physical health. These 10 tips for a healthy home will cover a wide range of ways to optimize your living space and promote wellbeing, mind and body.

1. Drink (and Bathe) in Clean Water

Although city tap water is considered safe according to government regulations, it contains an array of chemicals to treat it that actually can be quite harmful to your body over time. Additives like chlorine help kill the bad bacteria that may make its way into the town water supply, but unfortunately, chlorine also kills good bacteria. Since our body’s health depends heavily on the health of our microbiome or our good gut flora, consuming chlorine daily by drinking and bathing in tap water is not healthy.

Ideally, you want to be consuming water out of glass bottles or water filter.  I love a Berky water filter! Shower filters are highly suggested for anyone with skin or hair concerns.  The one I like adds vitamin C to the water which is amazing for the hair and skin, Sonaki

Another option is to get a whole-house reverse osmosis filter installed for your home. Reverse osmosis uses the city tap water and puts it through a rigorous filtration. Although it strips the water completely of all bad and good elements (like minerals), many filters remineralize the water. You can also add minerals to your drinking water after the fact.

2. Keep it Clean

Keeping your home clean is important, even if nobody is coming over to visit. Having a clean home space is great for mental health, and promotes sensations of relaxation and general promotion of wellbeing. With all the stress of what the world is going through right now, it is important to have a haven that feels safe, clean, and cozy.  If for some reason your living space cannot be kept clean choose a room or part of a room to prioritize to keep clean.  Having a clean space, no matter how small or big it is, is a reflection of self-care and self-respect. 

3. Use Low VOC Paints

Volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) are the solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. VOCs are extremely harmful to human health because airborne ingredients like formaldehyde, benzene, and acetone, make their way into your lungs, promoting an array of side effects ranging from immune suppression and asthma to endocrine disruptions.  Chronic exposure to VOCs can lead to long-term damage to your nervous system, kidneys, and liver.

Not all paints contain high degrees of these volatile compounds, and some contain none at all. By asking at your local paint store, or reading the information before you buy online, opting for a low VOC or no VOC paint is a step towards a healthier home.

4. Natural Light

Light plays a crucial role in regulating our circadian rhythm. This internal biological clock called our circadian rhythm is responsible for a wide range of functions, including the triggering of sleep/ wake hormones.

When we expose our bodies (and especially our eyes) to artificial light that has a high concentration of the blue light spectrum, it actually tricks the body into thinking that it’s daytime. In doing so, our body holds off on the release of melatonin, a crucial sleep hormone that induces a deep, restful, and restorative sleep. Furthermore, artificial light comes with a flicker, that is unnoticeable to the naked eye but causes low levels of chronic stress on the autonomic nervous system.

Opting for more natural light sources (windows, skylights) for daytime use can remove the impact of flicker stress. Avoiding artificial blue light can be done by opting for softer light, like incandescent lightbulbs, red bulbs, a pink salt lamp, or candles. This switch to natural light is especially important after sundown to promote deeper sleep. Blue light blocking glasses are another great way to get the best of both worlds, as they help filter out the blue spectrum of artificial light. If you think the computer screen bothers your eyes I highly suggest them. 

5. Keep the Air Clean

Reducing the volatile organic compounds in your home starts by reducing the exposure to these compounds, found in things like toxic paint, artificial rugs, and furniture. But these days, VOCs are almost non-avoidable, since toxins are being gassed off by essentially everything, from plastic electronics to building materials.

 Two great ways to ensure the air inside your house stays clean is to use plants and an air purifier. Plants that help promote air purification include Devil's Ivy, Peace Lily Dwarf Date Palm, Spider Plant, Boston Fern, and Chrysanthemums. The more, the better! That's why you see them all over the Healing Arts Wellness center including the moss and ivy frame.

For indoor air purifiers, invest in a high-efficiency particulate air filter (known as HEPA filters). HEPA filters actually trap pollutants including dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and tobacco smoke, by forcing them through a fine mesh. I love one that also uses ozone to kill bacteria and viruses in the air, found here

6. Grow Some Food

Growing food is one of the most radical acts of rebellion you can do to empower your self. Whether you have acres of land or no backyard at all, there is always a way to grow at least something for you to eat.

Start with a simple window-bench herb garden. Pick 3 of your favorite herbs, and simply grow a little window-side garden that requires very minimal maintenance or skill. If you have more space, consider taking a local gardening course to know which plants are most suited to your climate and some basic skills to ensure your garden flourishes. There's also many community gardens, especially in Brooklyn.  

7. Avoid Mold

Household mold is one of the most insidious ways that your home can become a genuine health hazard. Mold forms due to dampness and the airborne spores (known as mycotoxins) that are released as a result can cause various health issues including allergies, suppressed immune system, damage of lungs, and even DNA damage. 

You want to prevent mold as much as possible before it becomes an issue because once spores are present, they can never be completely eradicated. Visible mold is generally like the tip of the iceberg because many places mold grows initially is hidden (behind the drywall, under the floorboards, or above the ceiling tiles). 

Avoiding mold is predominantly a moisture control issue. Having too much moisture in the house promotes the kind of environment that mold thrives in. If you live in a humid environment, keeping airflow in the house and invest in a dehumidifier. This is particularly important in high-moisture rooms like bathroom, kitchen, laundry room. Water leaks are a major cause of devastating mold problems.

If you do find yourself in a moldy home or apartment, act swiftly. Vinegar is one of the best solutions to remove mold, using an 80% white vinegar to 20% water (or hydrogen peroxide) solution. Be mindful of properly rinsing off your brush before every application, as to not recontaminate the surface with mold spores. There is an array of essential oils that can be added to the mix for an even more potent mold killer, including tea tree. The underlying humidity or leak must be addressed as well so that the mold will not return.

8. Get Rid of Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic creates that resemble small bugs. They are the source of an array of unfavorable health symptoms including skin rashes and allergies. The symptoms (that include runny nose, postnasal drip, congestion, sneezing, and itchy/ red eyes and throat) are caused by inflammation of the nose and nasal airways. 

Getting rid of dust mites is fairly straight forward: avoid the collection of dust. Vacuum rugs, carpet, and upholstery furniture at least once a week. Wash sheets, blankets, comforters, and plush animals once a week in hot water. For larger items that aren’t conveniently washed once a week, dust mites can also be killed off by throwing the items into the drier once a week. Ensure you properly empty out vacuum bags after each use too.

9. Lower Exposure to Artificial EMFs

Electromagnetic frequencies or field (EMFs) are the forces that quite literally make the world go round. Natural EMFs are emitted by the sun and the earth, but artificial ones were introduced with the advent of electricity. Items like radios, lightbulbs, WiFi, toasters, microwaves, and cell phones emit these non-native EMFs that interfere with our natural human frequencies.

Humans have magnetic fields that emit from the heart and brain, and an array of functions (including mitochondrial activity) operates with electrical energy. Keeping artificial EMF exposure down inside the home is paramount, especially when it comes to promoting deep sleep. One of the most powerful devices I have seen to reduce EMF exposure in the home or apartment is the Lumerian plug.  We have them online or at the office for purchase for $39.

10. Enable Movement

Although the benefits of exercise are well understood, many people who exercise daily are still considered sedentary. Working out in the gym or playing a sport, even daily, can still qualify for a sedentary lifestyle if you spend the majority of the other 23 hours of the day sitting or laying down. 

Enabling a movement-friendly home is a fantastic way to keep your body moving, and mobile, naturally. A few ways include having lower to the ground beds, which promotes a larger range of motion getting in and out of bed daily. Consider sitting around a coffee table, on the floor, instead of the upright in a chair. Standing desks are a great option too but remember: too much standing also creates stagnancy. Placing the bowls and plates in lower cabinets instead of at eye level is another great way to regularly promote more natural ranges of motion.

Hope these tips were helpful for a healthier home and a healthier you!

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