How Do Magnets Relieve Pain?

Magnetic Fields and the Human Body

Static magnets such as the magnets found in magnetic jewelry produce a static, unchanging magnetic field. These magnets are believed to have an effect on the way nerves work, possibly blocking or changing pain impulses. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), magnetic fields may also change the balance between cell growth and death, increase blood flow to affected areas or increase temperature around the affected area.

NCCAM says that magnetic therapy has been used since ancient Greek times. By the third century A.D., Greek doctors had started using magnetic rings to treat arthritis and magnetic pills to stop bleeding. In the Middle Ages, magnets were used to treat conditions such as gout and to remove metal-based toxins from the body and clean wounds.

In the United States, magnetic therapy's popularity began after the Civil War. Healers believed illness could be corrected by manipulating magnetic fields within the blood and sold magnets for this purpose.

In 2010, magnets are used to heal arthritis and eliminate other pain in the back, joints, hands and feet. Many people wear jewelry made out of magnets for the purpose of healing pain.

According to NCCAM, there are no valid scientific studies as of May 2010 demonstrating the effectiveness of magnets for healing pain. NCCAM acknowledges that it is difficult to perform studies on this topic; it is hard to tell whether improvement in pain is caused by magnets or by other factors such as the simple belief that pain will be cured. NCCAM points to one study that showed slight improvement in back pain using magnets, but the sample size was too small to be significant.

NCCAM says that people with pacemakers, insulin pumps and other surgically installed devices should not use magnets because the magnetic field may interfere with the proper function of these devices. People who have open wounds also should not use magnets because they may interfere with healing of the wound. There are no other known risks to using magnets. However, NCCAM cautions against using magnets in place of traditional medical help rather than just as a supplement to it, as some pain may be a sign of a serious condition requiring medical attention.