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Magnetic Therapy has a long history in traditional folk medicine. The Chinese have used it for more than 2,000 years. And today as we embrace self-managed health care, Magnetic Therapy is amongst the fastest growing natural, alternative treatments with an estimated $5 billion per year spent on magnetic products worldwide.*

Although not scientifically proven and controversial, theories suggest therapeutic magnets alone do not heal but rather stimulate the body to heal naturally.

Some of these scientifically unproven claims include:

Static magnets might change how cells function.
Magnets might alter or restore the equilibrium (balance) between cell death and growth.
Because it contains iron, blood might act as a conductor of magnetic energy. Static magnets might increase the flow of blood and, therefore, increase the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues.

The term 'Magnet Therapy' usually refers to the use of static (or permanent) magnets placed directly on the body, generally over regions of pain.

When considering this therapy its worth being mindful of the strength, polarity and type of magnets to avoid the cheap imitations. Fortunately today there are a number of Australian and overseas brands providing quality magnetic therapy products to consumers.

Magnets come in different strengths and are measured in units called gauss. The higher the gauss, the stronger the magnet. For example a normal fridge magnet is around 150 gauss. A healing magnet can be anything from 400 to 10,000+ gauss.

There are many different types of magnets available on the market and the most suitable for therapeutic pain relief are made of ferrites, which are iron oxides combined with cobalt, nickel, barium and other metals to make a ceramic-like material. The flexible types of magnets are combined with plastic, rubber or other pliable materials. The strongest magnets are those made from neodymium (rare earth element).

Therapeutic magnets also come in two different types of polarity arrangements. Unipolar magnets have north on one side and south on the other (just one side touching the skin), and Bipolor magnets have both north and south magnets arranged in an alternating pattern, so that north and south face the skin. There are conflicting claims made by manufacturers that one is better than the other, although these claims have not been scientifically proven.

Magnetic healing products come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from head bands, jewellery, back and joint wraps, to magnet filled pads to fit on your bed.

It is important that people inform their health care providers about any therapy they are currently using or considering, including magnets. This is to help ensure a safe and coordinated course of care.

References:

* Journal of the American Medical Association. 2000;283(10):1322-1325.

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