Measure for Measure

It is a scientific principle that you cannot observe something without altering the nature of the thing observed through the use of the method used to observe it.

This is what occurs to me when considering the function and use of a Magnetic Resonance Scanner in medical practice... because the image that the scanner creates is built from the detection and visual representation of varying degrees of magnetic resonance found in the different substances found within the human body. This means that by using a method that utilises the magnetic qualities of these substances must therefore engage those qualities magnetically with the means used to detect them, thereby influencing them, and changing them, to whatever degree, however negligible over the period of time they observed in this manner.

While this may justly lead to concerns about the accuracy of the scan produced (although we can safely assume that the designers of this scanner have factored this effect into their research at the design stage and tested their results), it does lead me to conclude that if it is possible to use this device to scan, and build a picture of what it scans, it should certainly be a further possibility worth exploring that it could also be used as a tool to purposely change, and alter what it has scanned...

…and so becoming, not only a device of measurement, but an instrument of therapy and treatment for some conditions in it's own right.

Consider that some of the body's natural processes depend on the electrical exchanges arising from the cells carrying, donating, and exchanging atoms of oxygen and other elements to others in their varying quantities and through a multiplicity of configurations to enable the functions of the body to take place metabolically as they should.
By introducing an excess or supplementary magnetic resonance effect using this device over and above what the body is actually producing to create these metabolic phenomena, it becomes conceivable that deficiencies in some particular metabolic quality or function which has caused some species of syndrome, disease or illness to take hold, can be accounted for and negated, or that an over-abundance of some other which has likewise caused some illness can also be offset.


Magnetic Resonance Therapy

Essentially I am proposing taking an existing piece of medical technology and retuning it to be used in this way.

Anyone who has ever seen the science experiment where iron filings are placed on a sheet of paper and are guided around by the use of a magnet on the other side will understand the method I am suggesting here to use this property to beneficial effect.

Through practice, it could be possible to use the scanner as a subtle influence to move the cells affected with some particular disorder, and according to a knowledge of the qualities a particular cell of this kind has, which distinguishes it from others, away from healthy cells to either some location of the body where they are less damaging, can be better processed by the natural functions of that part of the body, or where other forms of therapy can be more safely used to deal with them in isolation.
I consider this with reference to cancerous cells for instance, where the usual method of destroying the cancer is to use chemotherapy or radiotherapy introduced throughout the body in order to be sure the diffuse nature of those cells are adequately dealt with, but of course taking an immense toll on many healthy cells besides, and leaving the patient feeling that the treatment may be as bad, if not worse than disease (some doctors agreeing with them too!) due to the nature of these kinds of treatment being more or less the 'nuclear option' when dealing with cancers (leave nothing standing in order to be sure that everything you want gone is gone, even if you take many more civilians out in the process!), but with my proposition comes the prospect of a more localised use of these therapies, with minimal damage, which could make the patient's body both better able to deal with the damage they do, having a healthier overall body as they would, and feeling better too.

As the moon exerts it's subtle influence of gravity upon the surface of the waters to move the tides, a regular session of therapy of this kind can gently draw the damaged cells, diseases, or viruses to where you want them, and the tide can turn against the treatment of many diseases as it does so...
...and perhaps, taken in conjunction with another Idea I have proposed: Healing With Sound (Acoustic therapy), a broad palette of new treatments can be added to the doctor's tool box, and many more people might survive such diseases.

Ideia editada em 21/12/2011 11:37