Magnetic Therapy: Fact or Fiction?

We’ve all seen the late night advertisements for all kinds of things – glue that can put your pants back together, cleaners that can clean anything in your house, and kitchen appliances that do all the work for you. But do all of these products work as well as we’re told? One of the products to be leery of are magnetic therapy products.

These are the bracelets, shoe inserts, and other products that claim to help bring pain relief to patients suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, general muscle aches, and other symptoms. Some have even gone so far as to attribute the alternative medicine to relief from more serious conditions, like kidney disease and even cancer. The fact of the matter is, there has been no scientific evidence that can support any of these claims.

Several studies have been performed comparing the effects of magnetic therapy to placebo treatment. While none of the studies have been perfectly designed, there haven’t been any conclusions made in support in favor of magnetic therapy. In fact, conclusions drawn from several studies have shown just the opposite – that magnetic therapy has a minimal effect if any at all.

Proponents of magnetic therapy claim that the magnetic fields induced through the body assist the body in its natural healing process. The claim is that the magnetic fields help block pain sensation, and improve circulation through the body, bringing blood and oxygen to areas of inflammation and pain to help the healing process. These claims are based on some pretty weak evidence, and mostly from subjective claims of users as well as manufacturers of the magnets.

In the past decade or so, there have been several lawsuits brought against companies that manufacture magnetic therapy supplies. In 1998, the company Magnetherapy, Inc. ended up paying a $30,000 fee to the state of Texas for making false claims about their products. The company signed a legal document stating that it would stop making claims that putting their magnets near areas of pain and inflammation would relieve the pain, as well as stop making claims that their magnets could cure any sort of disease, unless they were approved cures by the FDA. Needless to say, the company never earned this FDA-approval.

One of the more outlandish cases involves a Florida-based company selling magnetic bed covers and car seat cushions with the claim that they could cure all kinds of serious diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, and lupus. In 2002, the company was ultimately slapped with over $1 million dollars in civil penalties, in addition to full restitution to all the people who bought their products.

The promise of pain relief from magnets really does sound great, and for many, it is enough for them to give it a try. Unfortunately, it seems as though this claim is too good to be true.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com