Posted on January 14, 2022
Magnet Field Therapy: Real Therapy or Wishful Thinking?
The term magnet therapy refers to the use of static magnets placed directly on the body, generally over regions of pain. A static magnet is an ordinary permanent magnet, as opposed to an electromagnetic coil. Static magnets are either attached to the body by tape or encapsulated in specially designed products such as belts, wraps, or mattress pads.
A commonly held misconception behind electromagnetic field therapy is that magnets attract the iron in the blood, thus moving the blood and stimulating circulation. However, because the iron in the blood is bound to hemoglobin, it is not free to respond to a magnetic field.
Static magnets could affect charged particles in the blood, nerves, and cell membranes or subtly alter biochemical reactions. However, chiropractors are skeptical that commercially available static magnets are strong enough to significantly affect the body.
One trial found that commercially available static magnets have no effect on blood flow. Another found hints that static magnets might affect muscle metabolism, but further research is needed to sort out this possibility.
Hence, magnetic field therapy /Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) works in the cell and supports the functioning of inner regulation mechanisms while enhancing the self-healing capacity. Magnetic knee, shoulder, and ankle pads, as well as insoles and mattress pads, are widely available and are touted as providing healing benefits.