Magnetotherapy (alternative medicine magnetic therapy) employs static magnets to treat various injuries and conditions, including muscle injuries, fractured bones, blood circulation issues and arthritis pain. Magnetotherapy could even improve blood circulation to alleviate symptoms faster.
Magnets may alter both the earth’s natural electromagnetic fields and our bodies’ bioenergetic fields that surround and pervade every cell.
Benefits
Magnetic fields penetrate soft tissues and bones, making them well suited for stimulating muscle and bone repair after injuries occur. Furthermore, magnetic fields increase blood circulation while simultaneously decreasing pain – this therapy may provide relief for symptoms related to conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis and headaches. Magnets may be applied directly onto the skin or as part of an apparatus that provides a magnetic field over an area. Devices used can range from handheld units with magnets directly on to them to tabletop systems consisting of pads coils belts blankets etc.
Therapy is founded on the notion that humans contain electromagnetic and magnetic energy fields at the cellular level and any imbalance can result in illness. Supporters of this approach assert that restoring magnetic energy’s balance to body fields can enhance health and alleviate many symptoms and conditions, such as major depression, Parkinson’s tremors and pain caused by fibromyalgia, sciatica, plantar fasciitis back/neck pain arthritis etc. Studies involving static magnetic fields have produced mixed results, but their limited quality makes conclusions on any benefits dubious. Placebo effects have likely obscured any benefits identified in some of the few positive studies.
Static magnetic field therapy entails placing permanent bipolar magnets that have one North side and one South side on the surface of skin by rubbing or using devices with them, such as wrist bands, necklaces, shoe insoles or magnetic mattress pads.
Magnets in this type of treatment typically receive an electric charge that is then transmitted through electromagnetic coils to tissues in need. This causes pulses of electricity that cause an uncomfortable tapping sensation on the head and clicking noise, and could even be irritating for some patients. Magnetic fields can stimulate certain hormones such as melatonin and adenosine triphosphate, which help improve sleep quality and energy metabolism; increase blood flow to tissues, as well as facilitate better removal of waste products more efficiently.
Safety
Magnet therapy has been reported to help alleviate some forms of pain, but many studies have contained design flaws which cast doubt upon results. Magnetic therapy devices may interfere with medical devices like pacemakers and insulin pumps; those using them should discuss any risks with their healthcare providers prior to making any decisions based on this evidence. Children should not use magnetic therapy devices as these may be accidentally swallowed or inhaled.
Magnetic therapies can be implemented through lying or sitting on a device with magnetic fields, wearing bracelets or necklaces with magnets embedded, using magnetic pillows or blankets, or by intermittently turning on and off magnets (pulsing).
Magnetotherapy machines are devices used in this form of treatment and range in size from small portable ones up to larger tabletop ones featuring pads, coils, and blankets. Their magnetic fields are believed to work by altering ions found within cells to help send signals between cells; treatment can take place at home with physical therapy treatment or through someone trained specifically in magnetotherapy therapy.
An individual with a head injury can try magnetotherapy by sitting in a chair while wearing earplugs and placing a magnetic coil against their scalp. When moving, this coil must cause fingers or thumb on the opposite side to twitch; accordingly, strength of magnetic field must be adjusted until this “motor threshold” has been found and repeated until needed – strong pulses alternated with weak ones to assess how much magnetic energy needs to be applied at one time.
Early research indicates that magnetic therapy could relieve pain caused by myofascial pain syndrome, while other studies show it to help with symptoms associated with nerve damage in the feet and hands (peripheral neuropathy) or spinal cord injury pain, heal wounds faster, reduce scarring, heal wounds more efficiently and even help wounds to close more quickly. Further investigation should also determine if magnetotherapy helps decrease anxiety marked by repetitive thoughts and behaviors (obsessive-compulsive disorder) or following terrifying events (posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD). For providers it’s essential that they’re aware of what alternatives patients are using to help with medical diagnosis and treatments; health care providers should remain informed regarding all forms of complementary healthcare practices patients are using.
Dosage
Magnet therapy is an alternative form of medicine used to treat pain or swelling. According to practitioners, magnets interact with the natural electromagnetic fields within our bodies and alter them; these fields encase and pervade all cells and thus change bioenergetic fields and increase blood circulation, aiding healing injuries faster.
Many types of magnets can be utilized in magnetic therapy. Magnets may be embedded in mattresses and blankets, or worn directly against the skin (see Magnets for Pain Relief). The magnetic field that’s employed depends on the condition being treated – lower-frequency magnetic fields (below 50Hz) tend to be most appropriate for pain management and stress reduction, while higher frequencies (100-200Hz) can help treat bone and cartilage conditions.
Magnet therapy can be applied to a person’s scalp, back, shoulders, neck, knees, arms, legs and feet. Magnets are generally placed in areas similar to where an acupuncturist would administer needles – sometimes in tandem with it!
Studies suggest magnet therapy could provide relief for osteoarthritis, back pain, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and menstrual cramps, along with inflammation associated with chemotherapy treatments. Furthermore, evidence exists to suggest it could reduce complications after gum surgeries (periodontitis) as well as nerve damage in hands and feet of polio survivors (peripheral neuropathy).
No one fully understands how magnet therapy works; some scientists theorize that its magnetic fields interfere with electrical impulses in your nervous system, altering how your body functions; others believe magnetic energy simply helps muscles and bones feel better. Unfortunately, scientific studies are necessary to test its efficacy; for any person considering magnet therapy it is recommended that they speak to a medical provider first about its benefits and risks as this information provided here should only serve educational purposes – not replace expert advice from healthcare providers.
Side effects
Magnetic therapy employs static magnets of various strengths and polarity (north and south) to stimulate the body’s natural energy fields. Proponents claim these magnetic fields interact with Earth’s electromagnetic fields as well as our own electromagnetic fields to alter bioenergetic fields encompassing and penetrating each cell of our bodies (see Pawluk 2020) which in turn alter bioenergetic fields that promote oxygen delivery to cells as well as tissue regeneration. Magnets may also be used to treat various ailments like migraines or fibromyalgia.
Magnets do not produce lasting side effects. However, some patients may experience temporary headaches or scalp discomfort at the location of the magnetic coil – usually during the first week of treatment and peaking within that week’s session but typically diminishing by subsequent weeks as their brain adjusts to magnetic stimulation.
Magnetic therapy’s other side effects may include lightheadedness after each treatment session and, less frequently, dizziness or fatigue that gradually dissipates over time. Some patients find that rest and hydration help alleviate these side effects.
Magnetic therapies tend to be safe and well-tolerated; however, their use as treatment for neurological conditions such as depression or fibromyalgia has yet to be proven effective through clinical trials. A 2008 systematic review focused on all indications for magnet therapy found no conclusive evidence supporting its efficacy; while another 2012 review focused specifically on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis provided inconclusive results – perhaps due to either placebo effects or some other factor contributing.
Before beginning magnetic therapy, patients must inform their healthcare provider of any metal implants or devices implanted into their head such as aneurysm clips, stents, cochlear implants or dental fillings that could become dislodged by powerful magnetic fields generated during TMS therapy and could cause serious complications. Individuals suffering from seizures or epilepsy, and taking certain prescription drugs must also be carefully assessed by a TMS therapy specialist in order to determine eligibility for treatment with magnetic therapy.
