Magnets for Leg Pain

Magnets have been used to treat injury and promote wellness for thousands of years, especially over the last several decades as technology has advanced in leaps and bounds. Muscle, joint and leg pain are some of the most common uses for magnetic therapy, so common in fact that wearing magnetic jewelry has become a fashion statement for some.

History

• The first documented cases of magnets being used for health and well-being come from the Chinese, who often paired them with reflexology and acupuncture for the treatment of various ailments. Magnets next appeared in early Egypt, India and Greece. Eventually magnets worked their way to Europe and United States, with Dr. Michael Faraday, also known as the Founder of Biomagnetics, making significant advances in the 18th century that continue to serve as a foundation for magnetic healing therapies as we know them today.

Definition

• Magnetic therapy is the use of magnetic forces to reduce pain, improve sleep, increase energy and decrease inflammation in the body. It is an all natural, non-invasive treatment that involves placing magnets on injured parts of the body to improve blood flow, oxygenation and healing. Magnets are also thought to help restore the body's natural electromagnetic balance.

Function

• Magnets work by attracting metal particles. The human bloodstream contains millions of microscopic metals (such as iron) that are gently drawn to the magnets, which increases the flow of blood, oxygen, endorphins and other healing elements to the treated areas. Depending on the individual magnet's strength, composition and placement on the body the effect is usually very localized, although when more powerful magnets are placed over large arteries the electromagnetic energy is carried farther and has a more systemic effect.

Strength

• Magnets come in different strengths that can vary anywhere between 500-3500 gauss/50-300 m tesla. In order to reach through the tissue and have any effect the minimum strength of a therapeutic magnet should be about 800 gauss/80 m tesla. Any magnet intended for wellness purposes should be clearly marked with its strength rating.

Types

• There different forms of magnetic therapy for muscle and leg pain, the most common of which is simply wearing a magnetic bracelet on the ankle. Other magnetic therapy options for the legs include wearing magnetic straps, wraps, shoe insoles and inserts, neoprene knee and ankle supports, or even sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad. Types of leg pain that respond particularly well to magnetic therapy are arthritis in the knee and ankle, heel spurs, and most kinds of pain from knee surgery, leg neuropathy, broken bones and injuries.

Considerations

• Magnets can interfere with the functioning of electronic equipment so they should not be used in patients with pacemakers, other implanted medical devices, or insulin pumps. Magnetic therapy also should not be used during pregnancy as the effects are still unknown.