Research References 
Hartwig Roman Siebner and John Rothwell, Transcranial magnetic stimulation: new insights into representational cortical plasticity, Brain Research 148:1-16, 2003.  

Siebner HR, Rothwell J. Sobell , Transcranial magnetic stimulation: new insights into representational cortical plasticity. 
Exp Brain Res. 2003 Jan;148(1):1-16. Epub 2002 Nov 5. Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, 8-11 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. h.siebner@ion.ucl.ac.uk 

In the last decade, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used increasingly as a tool to explore the mechanisms and consequences of cortical plasticity in the intact human cortex. Because the spatial accuracy of the technique is limited, we refer to this as plasticity at a regional level. Currently, TMS is used to explore regional reorganization in three different ways.  
First, it can map changes in the pattern of connectivity within and between different cortical areas or their spinal projections.  
Important examples of this approach can be found in the work on motor cortex representations following a variety of interventions such as immobilization, skill acquisition, or stroke.  
Second, TMS can be used to investigate the behavioural relevance of these changes. By applying TMS in its "virtual lesion" mode,  
it is possible to interfere with cortical function and ask whether plastic reorganization within a distinct cortical area improves function.  
 Third, TMS can be used to promote changes in cortical function. This is achieved by using repetitive TMS (rTMS) to induce short-term functional reorganization in the human cortex.  
 The magnitude and the direction of rTMS-induced plasticity depend on extrinsic factors (i.e. the variables of stimulation such as intensity, frequency, and total number of stimuli) and intrinsic factors (i.e. the functional state of the cortex targeted by rTMS). Since conditioning effects of rTMS are not limited to the stimulated cortex but give rise to functional changes in interconnected cortical areas, rTMS is a suitable tool to investigate plasticity within a distributed functional network. Indeed, the lasting effects of rTMS offer new possibilities to study dynamic aspects of the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases and may have therapeutic potential in some neuropsychiatric disorders.  

Fraser C, Power M, Hamdy S, Rothwell J, Hobday D, Hollander I, Tyrell P, Hobson A, Williams S, Thompson D. 
Driving plasticity in human adult motor cortex is associated with improved motor function after brain injury. Neuron. 2002 May 30;34(5):831-40. 
University Department of Gastroenterology, Salford M6 8HD, UK.  
Changes in somatosensory input can remodel human cortical motor organization, yet the input characteristics that promote  reorganization and their functional significance have not been explored. Here we show with transcranial magnetic stimulation that sensory-driven reorganization of human motor cortex is highly dependent upon the frequency, intensity, and duration of stimulus applied. Those patterns of input associated with enhanced excitability (5 Hz, 75% maximal tolerated intensity for 10 min) induce stronger cortical activation to fMRI. When applied to acutely dysphagic stroke patients, swallowing corticobulbar excitability is increased mainly in the undamaged hemisphere, being strongly correlated with an improvement in swallowing function. Thus, input to the human adult brain can be programmed to promote beneficial changes in neuroplasticity and function after  
cerebral injury.[em can be done with thought and movement!]  

Sandyk R, Chronic Relapsing multiple sclerosis: a case of rapid recovery by application of weak electromagnetic fields. 
Int J Neurosci Jun 82(3-4):223-42, 1995. Neurocommunication Research Laboratories, Danbury CT 069111 USA 
... application of 2 successive treatments of pulsed electromagnetic fields(EMFs) ... patient experienced immediate improvement in symptoms, most dramatically, balance, gait, speech and level of energy ... Report points to the unique capacity of externally applied pT [em - picotesla - unit of magnetic flux density or density of flow of magnetic field] range of EMFs in the symptomatic treatment of MS ... indicates a lack of an association between the extent of demyelinating plaques on MRI scan and rate and extent of recovery in response to EMFs and supports the notion that dysfunction of synaptic conductivity due to neurotransmitter deficiency ... contributes more significantly to the development of MS symptoms than the process of demyelination which clinically seem to represent an epiphenomenon (secondary happening) of the disease ...  

[em- epiphenomenon def  secondary happening, dependent or subject to - an event. In other words: lack of nerve connections is worse than damage to myelin!!  Nerve connections can be generated with visualization and movement. It has been proven (see Lipton & Schwartz above] that the weak magnetic fields of every thought and movement,  cause changes in the nervous system!]   BOOKS