Magnets To Treat Pain

Written by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Detailed information on using magnets to treat pain. Includes scientific evidence on effectiveness of using magnets to treat pain.

Contents

• Introduction
• Key Points
  1. What are magnets?

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  2. Is the use of magnets considered conventional medicine or complementary and alternative medicine?
  3. What is the history of the discovery and use of magnets to treat pain?
  4. How common is the use of magnets to treat pain?
  5. What are some examples of theories and beliefs about magnets and pain?
  6. How are static magnets used in attempts to treat pain?
  7. How are electromagnets used in attempts to treat pain?
  8. What is known from the scientific evidence about the effectiveness of magnets in treating pain?
  9. Are there scientific controversies associated with using magnets for pain?
  10. Have any side effects or complications occurred from using magnets for pain?
  11. What should consumers know if they are considering using magnets to treat pain?
  12. Is the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) funding research on magnets for pain and other diseases and conditions?

• For More Information
• Definitions
• References
• Appendix I: Research on Theories and Beliefs On How Magnets Might Relieve Pain
• Appendix II: General and Systematic Reviews on CAM Magnetic Therapy for Pain Published From August 1999 to August 2003
• Appendix III: Reports on Randomized Clinical Trials of Magnetic Therapy for Pain From January 1997 to March 2004

Introduction

This Research Report provides an overview of the use of magnets for pain, summarizes current scientific knowledge about their effectiveness for this purpose, and suggests additional sources of information. Terms are defined in the "Definitions" section.

Key Points

• The vast majority of magnets marketed to consumers to treat pain are of a type called static (or permanent) magnets, because the resulting magnetic fields are unchanging. The other magnets used for health purposes are called electromagnets, because they generate magnetic fields only when electrical current flows through them. Currently, electromagnets are used primarily under the supervision of a health care provider or in clinical trials.

• Scientific research so far does not firmly support a conclusion that magnets of any type can relieve pain. However, some people do experience some relief. Various theories have been proposed as to why, but none has been scientifically proven (see Question 5).

• Clinical trials in this area have produced conflicting results (see Question 8). Many concerns exist regarding the quality and rigor of the studies conducted to date, leading to a call for additional, higher quality, and larger studies.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the marketing of magnets with claims of benefits to health (such as "relieves arthritis pain"). The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have taken action against many manufacturers, distributors, and Web sites that make claims not supported scientifically about the health benefits of magnets.

• 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.

1. What are magnets?

Magnets are objects that produce a type of energy called magnetic fields. All magnets possess a property called polarity--that is, a magnet's power of attraction is strongest at its opposite ends, usually called the north and south poles. The north and south poles attract each other, but north repels north and south repels south. All magnets attract iron.

Magnets come in different strengths, most often measured in units called gauss (G). For comparison purposes, the Earth has a magnetic field of about 0.5 G; refrigerator magnets range from 35 to 200 G; magnets marketed for the treatment of pain are usually 300 to 5,000 G; and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines widely used to diagnose medical conditions noninvasively produce up to 200,000 G.1

The vast majority of magnets marketed to consumers for health purposes (see the box below) are of a type called static (or permanent) magnets. They have magnetic fields that do not change.

The other magnets used for health purposes are called electromagnets, because they generate magnetic fields only when electrical current flows through them. The magnetic field is created by passing an electric current through a wire coil wrapped around a magnetic core. Electromagnets can be pulsed--that is, the magnetic field is turned on and off very rapidly.