Magnetic therapy has been used to treat different types of pain, such as arthritis and headaches, for hundreds of years. Magnetic therapy devices are widely marketed and are primarily used for pain, inflammatory conditions, and wound healing. Different types of magnets have been studied for pain relief:
Types of Magnets Used in Therapy:
- Static or Permanent Magnets:
- Made from metals or alloys, static magnets have constant magnetic fields that do not change. These magnets are placed near or on the body for pain relief or healing. Static magnets are sold in products such as bracelets, jewelry, mats, pillows, and bed pads. Research on the effectiveness of static magnets for pain relief is very limited, and no conclusive evidence has been found to support their effectiveness for any type of pain.
- Electromagnets:
- Electromagnets have magnetic fields that change in intensity and are created when an electric current passes through a coil containing magnetic material. Devices with electromagnets, such as Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) and its subtypes like repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation, are marketed for health purposes. Current research suggests that electromagnetic field therapy can relieve pain and improve function in patients with various musculoskeletal pain conditions and some osteoarthritis conditions, although the data is mixed. Electromagnets appear to be safe for treating pain.
Is Magnetic Therapy Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
Magnetic therapy using PEMF has been approved by the FDA for specific conditions, including the treatment of fractures that do not heal with standard medical treatment, and post-operative pain and edema in superficial soft tissues. For severe migraines, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, the FDA has approved a specific type of magnetic therapy known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain cells. The use of FDA-approved magnetic therapy for these conditions is considered conventional medicine and is beyond the scope of this article.
Do Magnets Help with Pain?
Research does not conclusively support the use of static magnets for pain relief. There is some evidence that electromagnetic therapy may be helpful for pain.
Electromagnetic Therapy: A 2020 review of 21 studies (1,101 participants) focused on electromagnetic therapy for musculoskeletal pain conditions. It reported that electromagnetic therapy reduced pain and improved function in people with various musculoskeletal diseases, including knee osteoarthritis (8 studies), shoulder impingement syndrome (2 studies), chronic mechanical neck pain (1 study), low back pain (4 studies), fibromyalgia (3 studies), patellofemoral (knee) pain (1 study), plantar fasciitis (heel pain, 1 study), and hand osteoarthritis (1 study). Although most studies compared electromagnetic therapy with a sham (i.e., fake) treatment, a few looked at it in combination with other forms of therapy. The review concluded that pain relief was not further increased when electromagnetic therapy was used along with other physical therapies such as hot packs, therapeutic ultrasound, or transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS).
Static Magnet Therapy: A 2021 review of 7 studies (576 participants) on the use of static magnets for various types of pain—including diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, fibromyalgia, plantar heel pain, pelvic pain, neck and shoulder pain, or forearm and wrist pain—had mixed results. Four studies showed improvements in pain, while three did not. Different studies used different static magnet strengths or exposure times, which may have contributed to the inconsistency in the results.
Are Magnets Safe to Use for Pain?
Both static and electromagnetic therapy appear to be safe for treating pain. Many studies have reported minimal or no negative side effects in people using magnetic therapy, including those with chronic diseases and pain.
Magnetic therapy devices should be kept out of reach of children, as children may swallow or accidentally inhale small magnets, which can be deadly.
Consider the following safety concerns before trying and while using magnetic therapy:
- Some magnets may interfere with medical devices, such as pacemakers and insulin pumps.
- If you are pregnant or have a health condition, consult your healthcare provider before using magnetic therapy.
- Magnetic bracelets, necklaces, braces, or other devices should be removed from the body before undergoing imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Do not use static magnets or electromagnets that you can buy without a prescription to postpone seeing a healthcare provider about pain or any other medical problem.
