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Other common
name(s): magnetic field therapy, magnet therapy,
bioenergy therapy
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Magnetic therapy involves the use of magnets of varying sizes
and strengths that are placed on the body to relieve pain and treat
disease.
Overview
Although there are anecdotal reports of healing with magnetic
therapy, available scientific evidence does not support these claims.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers magnets harmless
and of no use for medical purposes.
How is it promoted for use?
Many claims about magnetic therapy are based on the fact that
some cells and tissues in the human body give off electromagnetic
impulses. Some practitioners think the presence of illness or injury
disrupts these fields. Magnets produce energy fields of different
strengths, which proponents believe can penetrate the human body,
correcting disturbances and restoring health to the afflicted systems,
organs, and cells. Most magnets marketed to consumers are static
magnets, also called constant magnets, because the magnetic field
doesn’t change. They are usually made of magnetized metal or
lodestone. Static magnets are different from electromagnets, which only
have an energy field while electricity is passing through them (see our
document, Electromagnetic Therapy).
Proponents claim magnetic therapy can relieve pain caused by
arthritis, headaches, migraine headaches, and stress and can also heal
broken bones, improve circulation, reverse degenerative diseases, and
cure cancer. They also claim that placing magnets over areas of pain or
disease strengthens the body's healing ability. Some believe that
magnetic fields increase blood flow, alter nerve impulses, increase the
flow of oxygen to cells, decrease fatty deposits on artery walls, and
realign thought patterns to improve emotional well-being.
Proponents of magnetic therapy assert that magnetic fields
produced from the negative pole of the magnet have healing powers.
Negative magnetic fields are thought to stimulate metabolism, increase
the amount of oxygen available to cells, and create a less acidic
environment within the body. Because many people who use magnets
believe cancer cells cannot thrive when acid is low, they claim that
the effects of negative magnetic fields can halt or reverse the spread
of tumors. For the same reasons, they believe that negative magnetic
fields speed the healing of cuts, broken bones, and infections and that
they counter the effects of toxic chemicals, addictive drugs, and other
harmful substances.
What does it involve?
Magnetic therapy involves the use of thin metal magnets
attached to the body alone or in groups. They are sometimes mounted on
bracelets and necklaces, or attached to adhesive patches that hold them
in place. Some magnets are placed in bands or belts that can be wrapped
around the wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, foot, waist, or lower back. There
are even magnetic insoles, blankets, and slumber pads. These magnets
may be worn for just a few minutes or for weeks, depending on the
condition being treated and the practitioner.
What is the history behind it?
Interest in magnets as a source of healing dates back many
centuries. A 16th century physician, Paracelsus, thought that because
magnets attract iron they might attract and eliminate diseases from the
body. In the Middle Ages, doctors used magnets to treat gout,
arthritis, poisoning, and baldness. The modern version of magnet
therapy reportedly began in the 1970s, when researcher Albert Roy
Davis, PhD, noticed that positive and negative magnetic charges had
different effects on human biological systems. He claimed that magnets
could kill cancer cells in animals and could also cure arthritis pain,
glaucoma, infertility, and other conditions. Magnetic therapy has
recently become a large industry in the United States and Europe and
has been used widely in Japan and China for many years.
What is the evidence?
Magnetic therapy has undergone some scientific study. Most of
the success stories have come from a few isolated sources who have not
provided proof that the treatment actually works. One small but
well-publicized randomized clinical trial conducted at the Baylor
College of Medicine concluded that the permanent placement of small
magnets reduced pain in people who had recovered from polio. However,
several aspects of the study's methods have been criticized (for
example, characteristics of patients in the two groups differed in ways
that might influence their susceptibility to placebo effects). In
addition, the study only looked at short-term results and was intended
to be a pilot study. Pilot studies are done only to decide whether it
is worthwhile to do larger studies. To date, these have not been done.
To test the claim of improved blood flow, one study compared
magnets and otherwise identical nonmagnetic disks on the arms of
healthy volunteers. The researchers measured blood flow and found no
difference between the real and fake magnets.
Clinical trials of static magnets for pain relief have
generally had mixed results. One review noted that about half the
studies found that magnets improved pain, and the other half did not.
However, it has been difficult to conduct studies that exclude placebo
effects because patients are generally able to tell whether their
bracelet or patch is magnetic (as it attracts metallic objects like
paperclips). Studies of electromagnets appear to be more promising (see
our document, Electromagnetic Therapy).
We are not aware of any published clinical studies involving
magnets as an anticancer treatment and know of only one study
specifically involving cancer survivors. Researchers from the
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing placed either magnets or
nonmagnetic (control or placebo) objects at six acupressure points of
breast cancer survivors suffering from hot flashes. The magnets were no
more effective in reducing hot flash severity and turned out to be less
effective in decreasing hot-flash frequency, bother, interference with
daily activities, and overall quality of life.
The FDA has not approved the marketing of magnets with claims
of health benefits. In fact, the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission
have taken action against several makers and sellers of magnets because
they were making health claims that had not been proven.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
According to the FDA, magnets used for magnetic therapy are
generally considered safe. However, implantable medical devices such as
pacemakers, defibrillators, or infusion pumps may be adversely affected
by magnets.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett S. Magnet therapy: a skeptical view. Quackwatch Web
site. Accessed at
http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/QA/magnet.html on May 30,
2008.
Cepeda MS, Carr DB, Sarquis T, Miranda N, Garcia RJ, Zarate C.
Static magnetic therapy does not decrease pain or opioid requirements:
a randomized double-blind trial. Anesth
Analg. 2007;104:290-294.
Finegold L, Flamm BL. Magnet therapy. BMJ. 2006;332:4.
Questions and answers about using magnets to treat pain.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site.
Accessed at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/magnet/magnet.htm on June 20,
2008.
Ratterman R, Secrest J, Norwood B, Ch'ien AP. Magnet therapy:
what's the attraction? J
Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2002;14:347-353.
Note:
This
information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as
medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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