Magnetic Pain Therapy

Magnetic pain therapy is also called magnet therapy, bioenergy therapy and magnet therapy. The process involves placing magnets of different strengths and sizes on various parts of the body. Proponents believe the magnets can be useful in treating disease and relieving pain. However, these claims are unproven outside of anecdotal evidence, and neither scientific studies nor the FDA support the belief that magnet therapy has an useful medicinal purpose.

History

• Magnet therapy dates back to the 16th century when a doctor named Paracelsus preached the idea that magnets could attract iron and eliminate disease. Magnets were used in the middle ages to treat arthritis, gout, exposure to poison and hair loss. They became popular as a medical therapy again in the 1970s after a researched named Albert Roy Davis made claims that magnets could affect human biology, and cure cancer, arthritis, gout and infertility.

Use

• Proponents of magnetic pain therapy believe that the use of magnets can have many positive effects. The premise behind the theory is that the body produces electromagnetic impulses, which are distorted by pain or disease. Since magnets also produce energy, it is believed that the magnets can correct the distortion in the body's energies caused by pain and disease, thus curing the illness or the pain. Magnet therapy has been recommended by proponents as a cure for arthritis, headaches, migraines, stress, broken bones, circulatory problems, cancer and degenerative diseases. Some proponents also believe that if magnets are placed on the body where pain is occurring, healing will be facilitated.

Process

• The process of magnetic pain therapy involves attaching thin metal magnets to the body. Most of these magnets are static or constant magnets, which means the magnetic energy does not change. The magnets can be attached as a single magnet or in groups. They can be worn on jewelry, attached by bandages, worn in belts or wrapped around body parts including the wrists, knees, elbows, ankles, foot or waist. They can be worn as shoe inserts or attached to your blankets or bed. Magnet therapy may last for a few minutes, or you may be advised to wear the magnet for weeks.

Evidence

• According to the American Cancer Society, the majority of success stories associated with magnetic therapy are anecdotal. One small study was conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine, which suggested that magnet therapy reduced pain in recovered polio patients. However, the study methods have been criticized in the medical community and/or referred to as a pilot study, which is not conclusive. The FDA does not endorse the use of magnet therapy, and the FTC has taken action against advertisers who claim that magnet therapy had proven medicinal benefits, because this is considered false advertising.

Risks

• Few risks are associated with magnet therapy, although magnets may interfere with certain medical devices such as defibrillators, pacemakers and infusion pumps. However, delaying standard medical treatment in favor of the use of magnet therapy may be detrimental and dangerous.