Static magnet therapy is believed to relieve pain by increasing circulation. The efficacy of arthritis magnet therapy for pain relief is still in question. Magnetic treatment is generally considered harmless unless it causes people to forego other needed medical treatments.

Although the simplicity of magnet therapy is attractive, the evidence that it works is scanty. The FDA hasn’t sanctioned magnets as healing devices. Magnetic therapy continues to be a controversial subject, even among people who have tried it.

Magnet therapy is based upon the idea that magnetic fields have the ability to help the body heal or simply relieve pain. Most often, pseudoscientific support is offered by claiming that magnets affect the iron in our blood, but that iron is non-ferrous, which means that it does not react to mangetic fields

Magnets have been used for centuries to treat pain, and a survey found that almost many Americans with arthritis or fibromyalgia have used magnetic bracelets for pain relief, even though magnet therapy has not been well studied. Now, a British study suggests that magnetic bracelets may provide pain relief in people with arthritis in their knee or hip, from Healthology.

Does It Work?

According to Dr. Thomas Mattioni of the Arizona Heart Institute in Phoenix:

“People with pacemakers or implanted defibrillators should never use those new magnet-laced mattress pads touted to ease back pain because the magnets could temporarily shut off the heart devices.”

This item was in the news for several days. You may have seen it, but I thought it important enough to warrant another warning.

But, aside from the dangers mentioned above, does magnetic therapy work?
Dr. Weil says: “These products are quite expensive, and since the claims are unproved, I really can’t recommend magnet therapy.”

“Although the simplicity of magnet therapy is attractive, the evidence that it works is scanty.” The FDA hasn’t sanctioned magnets as healing devices.

Magnetic therapy is not new. Ancient Greece had the lodestone and claimed it had healing properties. The Chinese have used magnets for healing for thousands of years. Part of the reason for the success of magnetic therapy may be purely psychological. A study that included magnets and placebos revealed not much difference in the success rate reported by the two groups.

Magnetic therapy continues to be a controversial subject,
even among people who have tried it. Nancy Fortner has been using magnets to relive pain for several months now. She says:

“I have fibromyalgia and arthritis. I experimented with putting a powerful ceramic magnet over painful areas on my body. Soft tissue pain would fade within two or three minutes. Sometimes it would return after removing the magnets, but usually it gave me lasting relief.

“I have some pain everywhere, however, and the magnets were only helping with the most acute areas. I decided to get a magnetic mattress to see if that would target all my pains. I have been sleeping on my new magnetic mattress for four nights, and I would say that the results are inconclusive. I still have some aches and pains, but I am staying asleep for longer periods. I presume that is because my overall discomfort is relieved.

“My experiences with magnets are positive enough that I would recommend that other people try them.”

Keith D. states: “I have used a Nikken magnetic pad on my bed now for 4 years. While I like the warmth of the magnets it does not a thing for sleep maintenance insomnia.”

Moonraker puts his feelings very simply: “It doesn’t work because it is a hoax.”
Jack said: “I tried using a pillow with magnets in it. Used it for a month. It did nothing except empty my wallet of $120.”

John F. says: “Let me help stress “IT DOESN’T WORK!”. Look, if magnetic therapy made a bit of difference, anyone that’s ever had an MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) should sleep like babies … talk about magnetic therapy!”

However, Barbara Bianco reports: “Sleeping on my magnetic pillow and mattress has been a pleasure. I have no doubt it affects your energy field. It was so powerful that for the first three nights, I had difficulty settling down, but since then I’ve a very relaxed and refreshing sleep.”

The controversy remains. The value of magnetic therapy has never been proven or sanctioned by the medical profession. I posted this question on several lists, and the majority reported little or no help. Before you try using magnetic therapy, ask yourself: “Is it wise to use something that affects the body’s energy field?”

Most of these magnetic devices, and especially the mattresses, are expensive. Keep in mind that nothing has been proven, and you could be wasting your money.

Above all, if you have any medical device, such as a Pacemaker, that could be adversely affected by the use of magnets, please do not experiment with magnetic therapy. The magnets could turn off or cause faulty operation of these important medical aids and lead to far more serious repercussions.

A History of Magnets in Healing

Magnets are formed from an oxide of iron (Fe3O4) This substance is also known as a lodestone and is a strong natural magnet.

Magnetic healing is not new. Back about 350 B.C., Aristotle spoke of the therapeutic uses of magnets for healing. In 200 B.C., Galan, a Greek physician used magnets to bring about healing. In 1000 A.D., Persian physicians were using magnets to treat muscle spasms.

Paracelsus in the 1500s, advocated the use of magnetic therapy. Paracelsus also dabbled in homeopathy and astromedicine (determining healing methods using the placement of the stars at the time of the patient’s birth – a form of astrology.)

Franz Mesmer “cured” his patients (usually women) by placing them in a magnetic bathtub filled with iron filings, Mesmerism (hypnotism) and what he referred to as a magnetic trance. Elisha Perkins, in the eighteen hundreds, cured patients using “tractors,” three inch nail-shaped pieces of magnetic metal with which he touched the body. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, also had a belief that magnetic therapy was a feasible treatment for numerous conditions.

Dr. Albert Abrams was the inventor of radionics, the use of an electronic magnet to detect vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body. The Scientific American in 1924, had this to say:

The American Medical Association (AMA) believed Abrams’ methods and claims were ridiculous on the face of it, and it therefore wasn’t worth the time and money to investigate it.

Apparently things have changed, as Radionics has made great strides and some of the technology has received FDA clearance. It’s now known as radiation therapy.

Other recent uses of magnetic therapy:

1. In 1982, JAMA (the Journal of the Medical Association) discussed the use of magnets with some success in the healing of “unhealable” fractures.
2. NASA has started adding magnets to space capsules to reduce symptoms of weakness in astronauts.
3. Since 1980, there is some evidence of curing cancer with magnets.

What is Electromagnetism?

It’s the force that causes the attraction of like to lie and the repulsion of unlike electrical charges. Many studies have been conducted on the use of electromagnetism for the purpose of healing. Unfortunately, the results are often contradictory. Magnetic therapy has worked to heal wounds and fractures in guinea pigs and rats. Researchers in India report success in healing plantar ulcers using magnetic fields. Some Russian doctors have had some success using magnets to treat ulcerative wounds in diabetic patients. Still, the general consensus is that no acceptable link has been established.

The general public, however, still believes in the power of magnets. Every year, thousands of dollars are spent on magnetic accessories, and the interest is growing. Products such as jewelry, mattress pads, shoe inserts and bandages. There’s even water for sale that’s been treated magnetically, and magnetic therapy is becoming popular in treating animals. Some professional golfers use magnets in their shoes and clothing to reduce pain and strains, and these products have become popular in Pro shops.

There has also been a study at the University of Virginia Rehab center in February, 2001 using magnets for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Results showed that magnetic therapy might have limited use in the treatment of this troublesome and elusive disorder.

Another experiment, at Baylor College of medicine in Houston showed some positive results when magnets were used to treat post-polo pain. And, as mentioned earlier, magnetic therapy is now being tested in the treatment of cancer.

WARNINGS!

1. Don’t choose magnetic therapy as your first form of treatment. See your doctor. Talk over treatment with him and try more conventional methods first.

2. When using magnets, do it only under a doctor’s supervision.

3. Always be careful. If you notice any adverse effects, stop! Although there are no known harmful. effects, it’ too soon to tell what the results of long time use might be
.
4. Never use magnetic therapy of you have a pacemaker.

5. Don’t overdo it. If you have a magnetic mattress, never use it for more than eight hours.

6. Don’t use magnetic therapy on the abdomen area until at least an hour after eating.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified medical provider for all medical problems prior to starting any new treatment

Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.