Does Magnetic Therapy Work?

Does magnetic field therapy work? There is no doubt that magnetic therapy is popular as shown by the estimated $5,000,000,000 generated by sales of magnetic therapy products such as mattress toppers and she inserts, magnet wraps, magnetic pads and even magnetic jewelery.

Of course the popularity of magnetic therapy and items does not offer us any evidence that it works. Magnetic therapy has been promoted heavily with infomercials and other high profile advertising by those seeking to make money from it.

The target for sales of magnetic goods is usually chronic pain and other chronic ailments. This is an easy target because people with chronic conditions, especially painful ones such as arthritis, headaches and cancer pain, are willing to try almost anything. A non invasive therapy such as magnetic field therapy is perfect for extracting money from sufferers. 

Another group who can be parted from their money without too much trouble are those seeking to lose weight.  MagnaSlim is the ideal product for money making from that sector. MagnaSlim purports to releive stress and improve will power. Magnets are placed over acupuncture points and are claimed to renegenerate life force energy known as chi, boost cell function and improve will power so that the user will be able to eat healthy food and eschew fattening ones!

Magnetic Therapy was very popular in the middle ages when alchemist Paracelsus promoted the idea that magnetics could help cure diseases.

 "More than two hundred years later, we still find extraordinary claims being made about magnetic healing. ...most of the advocacy today comes from those who claim that magnets relieve pain. The support for this notion is mainly in the form of testimonials and anecdotes, and can be attributed to "placebo effects and other effects accompanying their use" (Livingston 1998)."  Skeptics Dictionary

Because magnet therapy is non-invasive it can't harm you to use it, unless you are spending money you can ill afford.  For pain there are other alternative or complementary therapies that are more useful than magnet therapy. 

One of the most useful therapies for chronic pain is Mindfulness Meditation. This can realy make a huge difference to anyone trying to live with chronic pain.

Other therapies that can help with chronic pain are relaxation therapy and exercise. Not only Yoga, although that can help but also more vigorous exercise such as a brisk walk each day or some other activity that gets your heart beating faster and your blood circulating.