Applying auricular magnetic therapy to decrease blood glucose levels and promote the healing of gangrene in diabetes patients: a case report

Abstract

Background

Magnetic therapy has demonstrated beneficial effects for reducing pain, nausea, neuropathy, and various other health concerns in the human body. To our knowledge, limited research has documented the use of auricular static magnetic therapy as a potential treatment for diabetes. This report presents the first evidence of using magnetic discs placed at acupuncture points on the human ear to decrease blood glucose levels and promote the healing of gangrene in diabetic patients. When a magnetic disc was placed at an acupuncture point on the ear, elevated blood glucose levels were reduced, blood circulation improved, and gangrene eventually resolved. This case report presents a new development in auricular acupuncture, providing a novel method for treating diabetes and its complications.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old white male who was diagnosed with type II diabetes and had suffered from this condition for 20 years developed gangrene in his left leg, necessitating amputation. Despite insulin therapy, the patient’s blood glucose level remained elevated, and gangrene subsequently manifested in his right leg. The patient was diagnosed with severe end-stage peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and a second amputation became necessary. The patient sought acupuncture treatment to avoid amputation. A magnetic disc was applied to the patient’s left ear at the pancreas point. Within 2 days, the patient’s blood glucose level decreased from 240 to 120 mg/dl, while the blood flow in his leg increased by 30%. Consequently, the patient was able to reduce the insulin dosage. Over time, the gangrene resolved, and new tissue regenerated in place of the gangrenous tissue. Another case study involved a 33-year-old white female with type I diabetes who used an insulin pump prior to magnetic therapy. Magnetic discs were applied to auricular acupuncture points, resulting in a 30% reduction in insulin dosage, while maintaining the same caloric intake.

Conclusion

Auricular static magnetic therapy has demonstrated efficacy as a beneficial treatment for diabetes. This therapeutic approach has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels, increase blood circulation, and promote gangrene healing. Its noninvasive nature, rapid onset of action, and cost-effectiveness are notable attributes. The novel contribution of this case report resides in its potential application as a complementary therapy for diabetes utilized in conjunction with conventional Western medical practices.

Introduction

Diabetes is a common medical condition. According to the International Diabetes Federation report, in 2021, 537 million adults (20–79 years old) were living with diabetes. This figure is projected to increase to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. More than three-quarters of adults with diabetes reside in low-income and middle-income countries. Diabetes was responsible for 6.7 million deaths every 5 seconds in 2021. The condition has resulted in at least USD 966 billion in health expenditure, a 316% increase over the last 15 years. A total of 541 million adults has impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which places them at high risk of type II diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels resulting from impaired insulin secretion by pancreatic islet β-cells or insulin resistance in the body. Prolonged hyperglycemia leads to the thickening of blood vessel walls, resulting in compromised circulation. Individuals with diabetes are at risk of developing severe long-term complications, including myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, retinopathy, renal failure, visual impairment, neuropathy, infections, and gangrene [1]. The primary objective of diabetes management is to maintain blood glucose levels within normal ranges. Oral medications and insulin injections are commonly utilized to achieve this objective. Despite these therapeutic interventions, numerous patients continue to experience uncontrolled blood glucose levels and associated complications. Therefore, the development of novel therapies is imperative.

All living organisms, including humans, possess electromagnetic fields at the cellular level. The mechanisms of biological magnetic fields are focused on cell membranes, membrane receptors, signaling pathways, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and chromosomal aberrations. The cell membrane plays a significant role in the response of an organism to magnetic fields. It has been hypothesized that magnetic fields enhance the permeability of the cell membrane, thereby regulating intracellular and extracellular osmotic pressures [2].

Much research points to the impact of magnetic fields on basic human physiology. For example, Xu and Bradley have discovered a physio-mathematical model that describes the cardiac biomagnetic fields that are generated by action currents in the cardiac repolarization cycle [3]. The model finds that the cardiac biomagnetic field measured at 14 mT can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if motion artifacts are resolved in the electric signals. Hernando et al. found that inhomogeneous magnetic fields with strength between 10 and 200 mT can induce gradients of Zeeman energy with kinetic pressures up to 0.01 Pa in human cranial cells. The surface tension generated by the magnetic fields, found to be between 0.1 and 1mN/m, can be sufficiently strong to interfere with the action potentials needed to open the voltage-gated ion channels in cranial neurons [4].

Several studies have reported the effects of a static magnetic field on neurotransmitters. Cheng et al. exposed rats to a 0.5 T or 1 T static magnetic field and found no significant changes in neurotransmitter levels of choline or γ-aminobutyric acid. Conversely, exposure to a static magnetic field of 128 mT for 1 hour/day over 5 days led to increased norepinephrine levels in the gastrocnemius muscle [5].

Research has given evidence to the effect of electromagnetic field on diabetes. For example, Calvin Carter found evidence that adult mice with type II diabetes exposed to static magnetic and electric field (magnetic field 3 mT, and vertically oriented electrical field, 7 kB/m) for 30 days significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 43%, with no significant change in the control group [6]. Ponomareva’s research discovered that a lower-frequency magnetic field can cause mechanical action that is sufficient for insulin granule secretion from pancreatic islet β-cells [7]. Another study by Zhai M found that electromagnetic fields can alleviate insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis by modulating redox hemostasis in mice [8]. Khaki A discovered that exposing rats to electromagnetic fields with a frequency of 50 Hz and intensity of 3 mT for 4 hours/day for 6 weeks impacts insulin secretion by influencing the size of pancreatic islets [9].

Research has demonstrated that electromagnetic field exposure affects the neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, reproductive, immune, urinary, and muscular systems. Electromagnetic fields have been observed to induce significant physical, mental, and physiological effects [2].

Various modalities of magnetic therapy exist, including static magnetic field therapy, electromagnetic therapy, and magnetic therapy combined with acupuncture, which utilizes magnetic contact with the skin at acupuncture points to alleviate symptoms and enhance health.

Auricular acupuncture is frequently employed to address various health conditions, whereas auricular static magnet therapy, a subset of acupuncture, is less commonly utilized [10]. Auricular static magnetic therapy involves the application of permanent magnetic discs to specific acupuncture points on the ear. In this case report, a patient who had undergone leg amputation sought acupuncture to preserve his remaining leg. After attempting acupuncture and herbal remedies without success, the practitioner applied a magnetic disc to the patient’s ear as the final intervention. Notably, the patient’s blood glucose levels decreased on the second day, and the patient’s leg was preserved. Auricular static magnetic therapy is a rapid-acting intervention that can reduce blood glucose levels and mitigate diabetes-associated complications. This report provides evidence supporting the efficacy of auricular static magnetic therapy in diabetes management.

Case presentation

Case 1

A magnetic disc applied to the ear reduced blood glucose levels and facilitated gangrene healing in a diabetic patient, ultimately preserving the patient’s leg.

A 59-year-old white man with a family history of type II diabetes had been diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus 20 years prior to the visit. Unfortunately, gangrene necessitated amputation of his left leg. Despite insulin therapy, the patient’s blood glucose levels remained uncontrolled, and his right leg also developed gangrene, ulcers, and infections. Conventional antibiotics were ineffective at managing these conditions. The patient was diagnosed with severe end-stage peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The physician recommended amputation of the right leg. However, the patient sought alternative treatment with acupuncture. Upon arrival at the acupuncture office, the patient used a wheelchair and was without his left leg. His body weight was 73.4 kg, his height was 167 cm, and his body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure were within the normal ranges. The right leg exhibited severe swelling and light red coloration. An ulcer measuring 15 × 7 cm, with yellow purulent discharge and a highly unpleasant odor, was observed on the anterior aspect of the leg. The patient also presented with gangrenous areas measuring 3 × 4 cm on the dorsum of the foot, affecting the second and fourth toes, as well as the heel. The gangrenous areas were characterized by dry necrosis. The patient was receiving insulin treatment (28 units in the morning and 20 units in the evening). A combination of scalp acupuncture targeting the leg’s meridian channels and Chinese herbal remedies for infection control was implemented for a duration of 1 week, yielding no positive outcomes. As a final therapeutic approach, auricular magnetic therapy was employed.

According to the auricular acupuncture theory, the pancreas point on the left ear corresponds to the pancreatic gland in the human body. A 2500 Gauss magnetic disc 0.5 cm in diameter was applied to the pancreas point on the patient’s left ear (Figs. 1, 2), [11, 12]. A total of 2 days later, the patient’s blood glucose level decreased from 240 to 120 mg/dl, resulting in a reduction in insulin dose from 28 to 15 units in the morning and from 20 to 10 units in the evening.

Fig. 1

Magnets and adhesive tapes used in the treatment

Fig. 2

Auricular acupuncture points for treating diabetes mellitus. This figure is derived from Auriculotherapy, Diagnosis and Treatment by Huang LC, with modifications by the author. Used with permission

The patient visited the acupuncturist on a weekly basis. During the third week, a significant reduction in anterior limb infections was observed, accompanied by a decrease in malodor. Additionally, blood flow in the leg increased by 30%. The patient’s surgeon reintroduced previously ineffective antibiotics. The leg infection healed within 3 months. The patient’s gangrene resolved within 6 months, and his leg was preserved (Fig. 3). The patient was able to independently manage the magnetic disc in his ear. Follow-up evaluation of the patient for 12 months revealed that his blood glucose levels were within the normal range and his leg remained healthy.

Fig. 3

The gangrenous area on the patient’s heel before and during auricular magnetic therapy

Case 2

Application of magnetic discs to both ears helped a patient with type I diabetes.

A 33-year-old white woman presented with type I diabetes. At 10 years of age, the patient experienced symptoms of polyphagia and polyuria, leading to a diagnosis of type I diabetes. The patient was subsequently treated with an insulin pump. The patient effectively managed her treatment regimen, resulting in the absence of complications. She documented the caloric intake for each meal and the insulin dosage required to maintain normoglycemia prior to meals. The patient was then administered the calculated insulin dose and consumed the meal. To reduce insulin requirements, she sought acupuncture treatment. Upon examination, the patient’s height and weight were 170 cm and 69 kg, respectively, with a normal body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. A 2500 Gauss magnetic disc 0.5 cm in diameter was placed at the pancreas point on the left ear, and an 800 Gauss magnetic disc 0.5 cm in diameter was placed at the thalamus point on both ears (Fig. 1, 2), [11, 12]. The patient attempted to adjust her food intake and insulin dosage. A total of 1 month after magnetic disc application, the patient reported a 30% reduction in the insulin requirement to maintain equivalent blood glucose levels for the same food intake. Additionally, the patient noted a decreased appetite for pasta and cookies.

Discussion

Based on this case report, the rationale for auricular static magnetic therapy in patients with diabetes is as follows:

• 1. Stimulation of insulin release: This phenomenon was observed in Case 2, involving a patient with type I diabetes. In this form of diabetes, pancreatic cells do not produce insulin, and body cells do not develop insulin resistance. It is hypothesized that the magnet stimulates dysfunctional pancreatic islet β-cells to produce insulin. This mechanism may also occur in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

• 2. Reduced appetite: The patient in Case 2 reported a decreased desire for carbohydrate-rich food. The hypothalamus contains hunger and satiety centers [13]. In Chinese auricular acupuncture, the thalamus point corresponds to the hypothalamus [12]. The magnetic disc placed on the thalamus point on the ear may regulate hunger and satiety status, resulting in a reduced appetite in most patients with diabetes. Decreased carbohydrate intake is a significant factor contributing to a reduction in blood glucose levels.

Auricular acupuncture points selection

According to the Miraculous Pivot by Huang Di Nei Jing, all 12 meridian channels are linked to the ear. Each meridian channel represents an organ of the body. Therefore, the ear is associated with organs in the body. Dr. Paul Nogier discovered that the map of the ear resembles an inverted fetus, and every organ and part of the body has a corresponding point on the ear.

Auricular acupuncture points for treating diabetes include the pancreas, liver, endocrine, thalamus, pituitary, triple burner, subcortex, and ear center. The selection of acupuncture points depends on the patient’s condition. Notably, the pancreatic point is considered the primary treatment option for diabetes because of its anatomical correspondence with the organ responsible for insulin secretion and release. In Case 1, the patient presented with a life-threatening condition characterized by prolonged hyperglycemia, complications of infection, and gangrene without effective antibiotic treatment. The abnormally elevated blood glucose level was the primary concern, and the pancreatic point modulating the secretion and release of insulin by the pancreatic islet cells was selected. The associated complications are anticipated to subside upon regulation of blood glucose levels. In cases where a diabetic patient exhibits normal or high blood insulin levels but has trouble with appetite control, the thalamus point on the ear modulating appetite may be considered. In a diabetic patient not discussed in the current case report, the magnetic disc was inadvertently attached to the inferior concha at the spleen point by the patient when the adhesive tape was changed, and the result was comparable to that observed at the pancreas point. Cranial nerve X, specifically the vagus nerve, was innervated in the ears of the superior and inferior concha. Consequently, the stimulation of either of these auricular regions can yield similar beneficial outcomes.

The neurological pathway for stimulating auricular pancreas point is illustrated in Fig. 4. When the pancreas point is stimulated via needle insertion or magnetic energy, neural signals from the left ear traverse to the right hemisphere of the brain and subsequently cross back from the right hemisphere to the left side of the body [14].

Fig. 4

Diagram of the neurological pathway of auricular pancreas point stimulation. This figure is derived from Auriculotherapy Manual by Oleson T, with modifications by the author. Used with permission. The red lines indicate the pathway of the neurological signal and the arrows represent the directions and destinations of the signal

A greater number of points may be utilized when employing acupuncture needles or herbal seeds. Conversely, fewer points are required when magnetic discs are employed. If a smaller magnetic disc is used, one to five points can be used; however, if larger and stronger magnetic discs are used, one or two points per ear are recommended. If two magnetic discs are used in a single ear, sufficient distance between them is necessary to prevent attraction. Some patients may not tolerate the high strength of the magnet; thus, a lower-strength magnetic disc is the preferred option. The objective is to determine a suitable amount of stimulation but not low or high amounts of stimulation through the number and strength of magnetic discs for each individual patient.

Mechanisms

All living organisms, including humans, are continuously affected by electromagnetic fields. This energy is referred to as “qi” in traditional Chinese medicine. Qi flows through the body along specific pathways, known as meridian channels and collaterals. Acupuncture points located along these pathways are the focal sites of qi. Biophysical investigations have demonstrated that meridian channels and acupuncture points constitute a high-electrical-conductance channel system with a high concentration of nerves and blood vessels. Acupuncture points exhibit lower electrical resistance or higher electrical conductivity than adjacent areas do [15, 16]. According to Maxwell’s law, magnetic and electrical energies are interchangeable; consequently, magnets can be employed therapeutically to achieve beneficial effects.

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of auricular stimulation, including auricular acupressure, auricular acupuncture, and auricular electrical acupuncture, in treating type II diabetes, gestational diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome, which are characterized by elevated blood glucose levels [17,18,19,20]. Data mining and meta-analysis have shown that auricular acupressure combined with conventional treatment significantly reduces fasting blood glucose levels, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, fasting insulin and C-peptide levels, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). These findings suggest that auricular stimulation may reduce blood glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity, regulating pancreatic β-cell function, and reducing insulin resistance [19, 20].

The mechanism of auricular stimulation for treating diabetes is analogous to that of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) [21, 22]. The ear is innervated by multiple cranial and spinal nerves, including the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). The auricular branch of the vagus nerve innervates the central region of the auricle, specifically in the superior concha, inferior concha, antihelix, and internal portion of the tragus. The pancreas and thalamus points are situated in the superior concha and inferior concha, respectively (Fig. 2), [11, 12].

Stimulation of cranial nerves modulates central nervous system activity through extensive connections of brain stem nuclei to higher-order structures. Clinical evidence has demonstrated that VNS has significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of diabetes, chronic pain, and depression. VNS has been proposed to be an analgesic and anti-inflammatory intervention. The ear presents afferent vagus nerve distribution, and numerous studies have demonstrated that the therapeutic effects induced by invasive cervical VNS can be replicated by noninvasive auricular nerve stimulation [22]. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed that stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve elicits a substantial response in the downstream targets of vagus afferents, including the nucleus of the solitary tract, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nucleus [20]. The mechanism of auricular stimulation is postulated to be closely associated with the autonomic nervous system, the neuroendocrine system, neuroimmunological factors, neuroinflammation, neural reflexes, and antioxidative processes [23,24,25].

Differences between auricular static magnetic therapy and other types of auricular stimulation

The magnetic disc imparts greater energy than acupuncture needles and herbal seeds. The magnetic disc can remain in the ear for a longer duration than the acupuncture needle. Consequently, auricular magnetic therapy results in more profound stimulation. The noninvasive nature, rapid efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of auricular magnetic therapy contribute to its greater acceptability among patients. However, the application of auricular magnetic therapy requires greater caution than other types of auricular stimulation. The number of magnetic discs used on the ear should be minimized, and the strength of the magnet should be as low as possible. It is imperative to avoid attaching two magnetic discs to the anterior and posterior aspects of the ear at the same point. The two magnetic discs attract each other, generating a kinetic force that compresses the ear tissue, potentially causing bruising or necrosis. The use of magnetic earrings should be discontinued.

Adverse effect and contraindications of auricular magnetic therapy

The adverse effects of auricular static magnetic therapy include ear pain, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, tinnitus, and skin reactions such as itching and burning sensations. However, these side effects are rare. When such side effects occur, the treatment should be discontinued.

Auricular static magnetic therapy is contraindicated in patients with a history of panic attacks, who have a pacemaker or other electronic device in the body, with coagulation disorders, who use of anticoagulant medication, and who are pregnant. The magnetic disc should not be used concurrently with a hearing aid. The magnetic discs should be removed from the ear prior to any radiological examination. The magnetic discs should be kept out of reach of children. Prolonged application of a magnetic disc at an acupuncture point (acupoint) can lead to acupoint fatigue, indicating cessation of the therapeutic effect in response to stimulation. The acupoint requires time to regain its sensitivity. It is crucial to determine the optimal duration of treatment, acupoint sensitivity recovery period, and the frequency of treatment for chronic conditions.

Conclusion

Auricular static magnetic therapy has demonstrated efficacy as a beneficial intervention for diabetes through the reduction of blood glucose levels, enhancement of blood circulation, and facilitation of gangrene healing. Auricular static magnetic therapy represents an evolution of acupuncture techniques and is a novel approach for the treatment of diabetes and other health conditions. Its high efficacy, non-invasive nature, rapid onset of action, and cost-effectiveness are notable attributes. The novel contribution of this case report resides in its potential application as a complementary therapy for diabetes utilized in conjunction with conventional Western medical practices. Acupuncturists and other medical professionals with training in acupuncture can implement the methods in diabetes patients in their clinics. This case report demonstrated a potentially promising intervention for diabetes. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is be warranted.