Magnetic Therapy Research: The Future of Healing

For hundreds of years, healers around the world have used magnetic therapy. Pulsed magnetic therapy has been studied throughout the Western world, while studies on magnetic products are more prevalent in other countries.

What Is Magnetic Therapy?
Magnetic therapy is the application of magnets directly to the body using magnetic products to create a magnetic field. Magnetic products contain hundreds of magnets and are marked with the gauss, or field strength. Many conditions for which conventional medicine has few treatment options appear to respond to be magnetic therapy. While research continues, magnetic therapy offers an inexpensive product to try.

The State of Magnetic Therapy Research
Ancient Chinese physicians used magnets to speed healing, and throughout history, many cultures believes that magnets could relieve pain and assist patients in their recovery. Countries throughout Europe and Asia and westernized nations like Russia and Japan use magnetic therapy products as part of their typical treatment protocols. In fact, the majority of magnetic therapy research hails from these countries. The United States has lagged behind in its funding of magnetic therapy research.

Researchers are focusing on certain aspects of magnetic therapy such as:

• Magnetic mattress pads to reduce the pain associated with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
• Magnetic therapy headbands and mattress pads for migraine headaches
• Magnetic wraps to speed bone, tendons and ligament healing
• Effects of magnets on bacteria in the laboratory to better understand their effects on the biological system
• And much more

A Survey of the Research on Magnetic Therapy
As reported on Pub Med, The Chiron Clinic of London undertook a survey of the literature around magnetic therapy. This critical review of randomized, controlled surveys sought to find evidence that magnetic therapy reduced pain. Out of 21 studies reviewed, 13 demonstrated significant analgesic effect due to magnetic therapy. Based on the evidence review, the majority of studies demonstrated positive effects from using magnetic therapy for pain relief. (PMID: 15992236 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE])

Is Magnetic Therapy Right for Me?
Patients who have been advised by their doctors or health care providers not to use magnetic therapy products should not do so, and pregnant women should not use them due to the unknown effect upon the developing fetus. Most people can use any magnetic therapy product they choose to use.