Is Magnetic Therapy Effective?
Magnetic therapy, a form of alternative medicine that uses static (i.e. Unmoving magnets can be used to relieve pain and other health issues. Therapeutic magnets are often integrated into jewelry, rings, and shoe inserts. However, therapeutic magnetic mattresses, clothing, and clothing are also available.
Over the past 30 years, many studies have proven that static magnetic devices provide no more or less benefit than those without a magnet. These studies show that static magnetic therapy devices might not be effective beyond a placebo effect for those who wear them.
Wearable magnets are still very popular despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting claims that MagDuo magnetic therapy devices commercially available work.
How it is supposed to work
According to the Langone Medical Center at New York University, magnetic therapy has been around for at least 2,000 year. Magnets were used by folk healers in Europe, Asia and North America to treat various ailments. This could have been because they believed magnets could draw disease from the body.
Therapeutic magnets are often sold by companies who claim that the small magnet in a bracelet or device increases blood flow to the specific area. This is said to speed up tissue healing.
This idea sounds plausible, as iron is found in blood and magnets attract iron. However, iron in blood is not permanent and cannot be stored on a refrigerator.
What the studies reveal
Human studies have not shown that magnets can be used to relieve pain, joint or muscle stiffness, according to scientific research. The Canadian Medical Association Journal published one of the largest studies, a systematic review of many previous studies on static magnetics.
Some smaller studies included in the review did report therapeutic value. However, more extensive studies did not. Researchers concluded that there is no evidence to support the use static magnets for pain relief. Therefore, magnets are not recommended as an effective treatment.
Advocates of magnetic therapy often refer to a Baylor College of Medicine 1997 study titled “Response of postpolio patients to static magnetic fields: A double-blind pilot study.”
Carlos Vallbona led the study and reported that there was a significant and quick relief of pain in postpolio patients. He used a magnet with 300-500 gauss (about 10x stronger than a fridge magnet) for 45 minutes to apply pressure to the pain area of 50 patients.