Magnet therapy involves the application of a magnet to the skin
or close to the skin to reduce pain or discomfort associated with some medical
conditions.



The strength of magnets is described in terms of “gauss” or “Tesla.” A Tesla is
equivalent to 10,000 gauss. Magnets used for therapeutic purposes usually have
a higher magnetic strength, most often in the range of 200-10,000 gauss, than
typical refrigerator-type magnets, the strength of which typically falls around
200 gauss.



Magnet bracelets are worn mainly to alleviate pain associated with chronic
conditions including low back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia,
rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), diabetic neuropathy
(pain associated with diabetes due to nerve damage), and migraine headaches.

The basis of magnet therapy is the fact that there is a
variety of electromagnetic fields that naturally occur within the body. One
example would be the signal transmission in the nervous system with the related
muscle contractions. Another very important example is that of the heart, which
is known to generate the largest magnetic field in the body. It was previously hypothesized
that abnormal magnetic fields in the body might contribute to the occurrence of
certain diseases; based upon this assumption, it was believed that magnets
could play a role in setting these magnetic fields back to normal.



Assumptions that magnets are capable of attracting the iron in red blood cells
and leading to an enhancement in blood circulation are wrong, simply because
the iron in red blood cells is not in a magnetic form. Theoretically, however,
magnets could have an effect on other charged molecules in the blood and other
parts of the body.



Currently available scientific data is not enough to clearly explain exactly
how magnets might work in the body to treat disease or pain.

Magnets may be effective for the following conditions:

·        
Nerve pain caused by diabetes (diabetic
neuropathy): Wearing a shoe insole containing a particular strength (450 gauss)
magnet appears to produce significant relief of symptoms including burning,
numbness, tingling, and foot pain associated with exercise. It takes about 3-4
months of treatment to see the benefit.

·        
Osteoarthritis: Wearing a magnetic
bracelet of a particular strength (170-200 Tesla) for 12 weeks considerably
reduces pain related to osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Wearing a magnet in
a knee sleeve for 4 hours also reduces osteoarthritis-related knee pain.

Magnets may NOT be effective for the following conditions:

·        
Foot or heel pain.

·        
Pain after surgery.

Scientific data
are insufficient to support the use of magnets for pain relief in the following
conditions:

·        
Muscle soreness caused by exercise

·        
Low back pain

·        
Increasing muscle strength.

·        
Improving wound healing after surgery.

·        
Rheumatoid arthritis.

·        
Fibromyalgia.

·        
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

·        
Carpel tunnel syndrome.

·        
Painful menstruation.

·        
Migraine headache.

·        
Swelling.

·        
Male sexual performance problems
(erectile dysfunction, ED).

·        
Trouble sleeping (insomnia).

·        
Sports injuries.

·        
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

·        
Cancer.

·        
Multiple sclerosis (MS).

·        
Parkinson’s disease.

·        
Schizophrenia.

·        
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

·        
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

·        
Epilepsy.

·        
Trouble controlling urination
(incontinence).