Magnetic field therapy

• ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Cells, immune system

DEFINITION: A practical and inexpensive modality that uses magnets to relieve chronic and acute pain incurred through overuse or trauma.

Indications and Procedures

In magnetic field therapy (sometimes called biomagnetic therapy), magnetic pads are placed on or near the site of injury or soreness to stimulate local circulation by attracting positively and negatively charged ions in the blood and lymph. This biomagnetic attraction of electrolytes uses an alternating pattern of polarities that penetrate from 5 to 20 centimeters into the body’s tissues, depending on field strength (which is normally between 300 and 950 gauss). A common magnet will not produce this effect because only the ions and fluid in vessels that are precisely in line with the north-south poles will be attracted. Many advocates claim that magnetic therapy is based on physics principles called the Hall effect and Faraday’s law, and works faster than diathermy techniques such as ultrasound. A warm, tingling sensation is often felt minutes after application because of the increase in microcirculation, which is intended to bring more oxygen, nutrients, white blood cells, and antibodies to the damaged tissues and remove metabolic waste products. However, many of these claims have not been scientifically validated.

Uses and Complications

Several forms of magnetic field therapy (including pulsed electromagnetic therapy) have been used for years in Japan, Germany, and other countries, and in the United States, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved magnetic field therapy for a variety of medical conditions, including postoperative pain, soft tissue edema, and fractures that have failed to heal with traditional methods. The FDA has also approved a specific type of magnetic field therapy called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to treat migraines, depression, smoking cessation, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Disorders that are treated with magnetic therapy in other countries include carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, migraine headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Other attempted applications include trauma treatment, reversing aging, treating some cancers, and treating multiple sclerosis. However, these applications lack supportive scientific evidence or have been disproven.

Magnetic deficiency syndrome has been documented in some Japanese medical literature, and some American physicians agree that proper magnetic balance in the tissues is an important ingredient of health; however, confirmatory scientific evidence of this effect is lacking.

Magnetic pads come in several sizes and shapes to allow for comfortable attachment to any area of the body, including silver-dollar-sized pads that are one-eighth of an inch thick for concentrated force and 5-by-7-inch pads for larger areas such as the back. Magnetic massage balls, mattress pads, pillows, seat cushions, and orthotic insoles are also sold. The magnets are permanently charged and have no harmful side effects, although they are not recommended for use during pregnancy or for patients with pacemakers.

Bibliography

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Ellis, Rachel Reiff. "What Is Magnetic Field Therapy? " WebMD, 30 Apr. 2025, www.webmd.com/pain-management/magnetic-field-therapy-overview. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.

Flatscher, Jonas, et al. “Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF)-Physiological Response and Its Potential in Trauma Treatment.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 14, 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms241411239. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.

Jacobs, Jennifer. The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: A Complete Family Guide to Complementary Therapies. Journey Editions, 1996.

“Magnets for Pain: What You Need to Know.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Jan. 2023, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/magnets-for-pain-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.

"Magnet Therapy ." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 26 Feb. 2021, www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/magnet-therapy. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.

Null, Gary. Healing with Magnets. Carroll & Graf, 1998.

Pelletier, Kenneth R. The Best Alternative Medicine: What Works? What Does Not?. 2000. Fireside, 2002.

Trivieri, Larry, Jr., and John W. Anderson, editors. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. 2nd ed., Celestial Arts, 2002.

White, R., et al. “Magnet Therapy: Opening the Debate.” Journal of Wound Care, vol. 15, no. 5, 2006, pp. 208–9.