Magnetic field therapy involves the application of different types of magnets to the body with the aim of improving overall health and treating specific conditions. While it has gained popularity as an alternative treatment option, it is important to understand both the potential benefits and possible side effects. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of lymphatic magnetic therapy, exploring its mechanisms, applications, and safety considerations.
What is Magnetic Field Therapy?
Magnetic field therapy involves using various types of magnets on the body to enhance overall health. The underlying principle is that the body naturally possesses magnetic and electric fields, and imbalances in these fields can lead to health problems. Applying a magnetic field near the body is believed to restore balance and promote healing.
Types of Magnetic Field Therapy
There are several types of magnetic field therapy, including:
- Static Magnetic Field Therapy: This involves placing a magnet directly on the skin, often through magnetic bracelets, jewelry, bandages, or shoe insoles.
- Electrically Charged Magnetic Therapy (Electromagnetic Therapy): This method uses magnets with an electric charge, typically administered through an electric pulse.
- Magnetic Therapy with Acupuncture: Magnets are applied to the same areas of the skin that an acupuncturist would target, aligning with traditional energy pathways or channels.
How Magnetic Field Therapy Works
The human body naturally possesses magnetic and electric fields. The thought behind magnetic field therapy is that certain problems happen because your magnetic fields are out of balance. If you put a magnetic field near your body, it's believed things will go back to normal. Ions, such as calcium and potassium, facilitate cell signaling. Scientists have observed magnets influencing the behavior of these ions in laboratory settings. However, there isn’t evidence that magnets have the same effect on cells when they’re in your body.
Purported Benefits of Magnetic Field Therapy
Magnetic field therapy is primarily used to manage various types of pain. Scientists have studied its use for:
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- Arthritis pain
- Wound healing
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Fibromyalgia pain
Pain Relief
Magnetic therapy has been explored as a treatment option for different types of pain, like in your feet and back. Proponents suggest that magnets may help reduce pain and inflammation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
Wound Healing
Some studies suggest that magnetic fields may promote wound healing. The increased blood flow associated with magnetic therapy could potentially accelerate tissue repair.
Other potential benefits
Beyond pain relief and wound healing, magnetic therapy is sometimes used for insomnia and headaches. Some practitioners also believe that magnets can influence metabolism, hunger, satiety, and circulation, leading to weight loss. However, there is currently no solid evidence to support the use of magnetic therapy for weight loss.
Scientific Evidence
While magnetic therapy has gained popularity, the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. Many studies have yielded inconclusive results, and more rigorous research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Studies on Pain Relief
A 2007 review of research concluded that magnetic bracelets aren’t effective at treating pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia. Another study, from 2013, agreed that both magnetic and copper wristbands have no more effect on pain management than placebos.
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Studies on Rheumatoid Arthritis
Magnetotherapy applied to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) produces anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioedema effects. Studies show that magnetic fields improved the functional status and reduced pain, morning stiffness and swelling in the hand. A static magnetic field may be more effective in reducing morning stiffness, whereas a pulsed magnetic field may, to a greater extent, improve function and reduce swelling in the rheumatoid hand.
The Need for Further Research
There haven’t been many studies on magnetic field therapy. The ones that have been done don’t have enough data to draw solid conclusions. Despite some promising findings, further well-designed, high-quality research is needed to standardize treatment parameters and develop optimal methods for use in contemporary healthcare.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
While low-intensity static magnets are generally considered safe for most people, certain individuals should avoid magnetic field therapy.
Contraindications
Magnetic field therapy is not recommended for people who:
- Use a pacemaker
- Have an insulin pump
- Are pregnant
It is also important to remove any magnets before undergoing an X-ray or MRI.
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Common Side Effects
Some people who have magnetic field therapy have side effects like:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
However, these side effects are rare.
Interactions with Medical Devices and Imaging Tests
Wearing acupressure magnets (or any magnet) can be very harmful or compromise test results if you have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, which your doctor might prescribe if you have certain conditions. Magnetic rings may also be harmful to people who wear devices such as pacemakers, which regulate heart rhythm. Speak with your doctor if you have any medical devices before trying any magnetic jewelry.
Magnet Safety
Note that any kind of small magnet, including magnetic jewelry, may pose a hazard to small children if swallowed. The North Atlantic American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition advocated for the ban on the sale of strong magnets including neodymium, but they stated in 2014 that these efforts were not effective enough. In a case report published in 2015 that led to the initiation of measures governing the use of magnets at the workplace, it was pointed out that a 52-year-old man was injured while trying to generate electricity for experimental purposes using a device containing neodymium magnets. The magnet crashed into pieces injuring his face.
Magnetic Therapy and Weight Loss: Debunking the Myth
It's easy to be tempted by products touting quick and easy ways to lose weight, such as magnetic rings for weight loss. But generally, if a weight loss gimmick sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There is no solid evidence that magnetic therapy will help you lose weight.
Magnetic Rings and Other Products
A quick search for “magnetic rings weight loss” yields an array of magnetic products that claim to help you shed pounds. Magnetic rings are placed on your finger, but many other products are sold for magnetic weight loss therapy, such as:
- Magnetic bracelets
- Magnetic toe rings
- Magnetic earrings
- Magnetic patches
- Magnetic “seeds” worn on the outer ear
Lack of Scientific Support
These devices are “purported to increase your metabolism through the north pole of the magnet,” Dr. Cardel says. A fast or “high” metabolism allows you to burn more calories at rest and when you exercise.
There's no evidence to support the use of magnetic therapy for weight loss. A research study in 2019 found that noninvasive electromagnetic brain stimulation, combined with increased exercise and reduced calorie intake, can help people with overweight lose weight. A more recent review article of previous research also concludes that noninvasive brain stimulation techniques may help with weight loss and reducing food cravings. These studies may have made people think magnets might enhance their weight loss journey, but electromagnetic brain stimulation is not the same as wearing static magnetic jewelry.
“There is zero evidence to suggest that magnetic rings, or similar magnetic devices, aid in weight loss,” Cardel says. Department of Agriculture (USDA), weight loss can be achieved by a combination of:
- Setting a realistic goal
- Engaging in a reduced calorie, nutritionally balanced eating plan
- Regular physical activity
- Other behavior changes to help you keep on track with your goals
Neodymium Magnets: Properties, Applications, and Safety
Neodymium magnets are a powerful type of magnet that has been the subject of recent research.
Properties and Applications
Neodymium is a chemical element that was discovered in 1885. This element (atomic number 60) has a silvery-white metallic color and belongs to the group of lanthanides, which is a subgroup of rare earth elements (atomic numbers 57-71) in the periodic table and rapidly oxidizes in air. Neodymium-iron-boron magnets were developed by General Motors and Hitachi in the 1980s. Because it provides high magnetic force even in lesser amounts, it has been increasingly given a more prominent role in the manufacture of strong permanent magnets made up of rare earth elements.
Neodymium magnets are also commonly used in magnetic separators, filters, ionizers, in production of on-off buttons, safety sector and security systems. Grease filter producers use neodymium magnets in metal separators to more effectively filter out iron powder in oil. Additionally, they are beneficial in covering machines, cars with awning and in the production of magnetic tool belts.
Medical Applications
The health sector is another field where neodymium magnets are incorporated in medical devices for example in magnetic resonance imaging devices to diagnose and treat chronic pain syndrome, arthritis, wound healing, insomnia, headache, and several other diseases due to their ability to generate a static magnetic field.
Potential Risks
The amount of neodymium magnets used in all these areas has risen from 1 ton to 60.000 tons between 1983 and 2007. Since 1990, China has been predominant in the mining of rare earth elements.
The flow of red blood cells in the skeletal muscle capillaries exposed to strong static magnetic fields has been reported to be reduced. Intra tumoral microcirculation is characterized by tortuous micro vessels with chaotic structures and unstable irregular blood flow. A study has reported a decrease in the blood stream and blood vessel density in tumors that were treated using static magnetic fields. In the same study, it was shown that in non-tumoral skeletal muscles exposed to static magnetic fields, platelet activation and adhesion increased.
Use in Various Medical Procedures
Magnets can be used to generate magnetic fields in neural electrical activity research. The effect of magnetic fields created using neodymium magnets on neural damage was examined in a study where they were applied on 17 healthy volunteers for 2 hours. Recurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an approved and effective treatment method for major depression. Synchronized TMS (sTMS), which is the modified form of rTMS, has also been tried for the treatment of the same. A study conducted in 2014 revealed that while the occurrence rate of patients who suffered from major depression and treated with sTMS declined by 48%, it declined by 19% in the control group, and this difference was statistically significant. Neodymium magnets are used in TMS to generate magnetic fields and In contrast to electroconvulsive treatment for major depression, TMS does not require anesthesia .
Surgical Applications
In another study, to ensure glottis aperture in bilateral vocal cord paralysis, magnets were placed ex vivo in sheep larynx had the gap widened. In a randomized double blind placebo controlled research, the curing effect of neodymium magnets on osteoarthritis symptoms was investigated; participants were made to try on four types of wrist straps. During the comparison, magnetic neodymium wrist straps were used as an experimental device, and low magnified, demagnetized, and coppery wrist straps were used as control devices. The WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, McGill Pain Questionnaire-Pain Rating Index (PRI), visual analog scale, and medicine intake were evaluated. Among these scales, only PRI subscales revealed statistically significant difference. Therapeutic benefits of wrist straps have attributable placebo effect.
Colon Tumor Fixation
In a study conducted in 2012, neodymium magnets were used to fix endoscopically determined colon tumors. During the laparoscopic surgery performed without tools such as fluoroscopy or ultrasonography, the magnets were used for an easy access to the tumor. In an animal study, ring-shaped magnets were endoscopically used for magnetic compression anastomosis (magnamosis), being placed opposite to each other in the targeted areas.
Swallowed Magnets
Previous studies on swallowed magnets have documented life-threatening injuries including, fistula and perforation, particularly in children. In two separate studies comparing the number and size of magnets swallowed by children in 2002-2009 and 2010-2012, there was an increase in the number of cases involving more than one magnet and a decrease in the size of the magnet swallowed, but all cases required surgical intervention. This result was attributed to an increase in the availability of magnets to children in everyday life . These findings suggest that the use of magnets rather than safety pins can be particularly harmful for children.