Magnetic bracelets, bands and other treatments are a well-known alternative treatment for joint pain and other ailments. Their sales, according to an article published in British Medical Journal, amount to $300 million a year. The National Science Foundation conducted a study in 2001 that found 68 percent of people who were aware of magnetic therapy believed it to be based on scientific theory. However, proof of magnetic healing has never been substantiated by science, despite many of the supposed benefits claimed by believers.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
Magnetic wrist bands are often recommended for carpal tunnel syndrome. A double blind, randomized study published in the Journal of Family Practice tested their effectiveness. The study asked 30 patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome to have their wrists wrapped with either magnetic or placebo metal disks for 45 minutes. Although both groups reported that their pain improved, there was no real difference between the two. Magnetic bracelets were not a miracle cure in this case, though participants may have experienced pain relief because they believed they were being healed.
Relieving Osteoarthritis Pain
"Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies" published a comprehensive examination of magnetic therapy in 2008, suggesting that "about 28 percent of patients with arthritis, osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia use magnets or copper bracelets for pain relief." The article summarizes four double-blind studies in which magnets were tested for osteoarthritis patients. Surprisingly, some of these trials reported small but significant benefits from static magnets.
However, according to British Medical Journal, these results are suspect because the studies were not well-controlled; participants could tell they were being treated with real magnets instead of fake ones, because the magnets stuck to the keys in their pockets. British Medical Journal suggests that any perceived benefit was due to the participants' belief that the magnets were working.
Alleviating Heel and Foot Pain
"Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies" summarizes three studies focusing on magnet therapy for foot pain, including anklets and insole magnets. None of these studies reported any difference between real and fake magnets. "Journal of the American Medical Association" published another study, conducted in 2001, where all participants reported that their foot pain improved, whether or not they actually had received magnet therapy.
The authors discussing magnet therapy in the "British Medical Journal" shared a personal story. They suggested to a friend who believed in magnet therapy that she should put refrigerator magnets in her shoes and she reported an improvement. All this proves is that while magnets may not have any scientific effect on heel or foot pain, a strong belief in magnetic cures can affect pain tolerance.
References
- British Medical Journal 332(7532):4. Magnet Therapy: Extraordinary Claims, But No Proved Benefits.
- National Science Foundation: Science and Engineering Indicators: Science Fiction and Pseudoscience
- Journal of Family Practice 51:38-40. The Effectiveness of Magnet Therapy for Treatment of Wrist Pain Attributed to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies 13:5-6. Static Magnets for Reducing Pain
- Journal of the American Medical Association 290:1474-1478. Effect of Magnetic vs Sham-Magnetic Insoles on Plantar Heel Pain
Member Comments