1. A Pull to Better Health
Magnet therapy is an alternative medicine approach in which magnets are applied to the body to produce a beneficial effect. People use magnets that are sewn into clothing, bedding or joint braces, or wear them as magnetic jewelry. Magnet therapy is most often used for pain management, and is popular with many professional athletes. While some people report that magnets are beneficial to them, the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of magnet therapy is mixed, and the benefit of devices like magnetic jewelry is controversial.
2. Go for Magnetic Power
Proponents of magnet therapy advance two theories to explain how it works. One is that the magnets increase blood circulation to the affected areas, and thus reduce inflammation. This theory is based on the idea that blood components like iron respond to the magnets' pull. Another hypothesis is that the electromagnetic field produced by the magnets interferes with nerve impulses that send pain signals to the brain.
3. Polar Express to Pain Relief
People most often use magnet therapy for conditions like arthritis, joint or muscle injury, carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic pain conditions. Some supporters of magnet therapy claim it can also help other problems, for example, asthma, migraine and infections. Others use magnets for treating generalized conditions, such as fatigue and stress. For these purposes, the positive (North) pole of the magnet is said to have a calming effect, while the negative (South) pole is energizing.
4. Beneficial Bling
Popular magnetic jewelry items include bracelets, necklaces and ankle bracelets. These allow the wearer to place the magnets directly on painful joints and are decorative at the same time. However, magnetic jewelry and accessories, such as belts and shoe inserts, are available in many forms and strengths for treating different conditions and parts of the body.
5. Controversies and Precautions
Magnet therapy is controversial in part because it is difficult to prove scientifically whether it works. It is hard to conduct a blind study in which the participants don't know if they are wearing real magnets, because the magnets are so easy to detect. While the researchers struggle with this problem, you might try magnetic jewelry for minor aches and pains and to speed the healing of sports injuries. Just keep the magnets away from electrical medical devices, such as pacemakers or automatic defibrillators, because magnets can interfere with electrical currents. Tell the health care provider treating your condition that you are using magnet therapy.
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