Using Magnets for Pain Relief

Using magnets for pain relief is really not that new. Ancient eastern civilizations have used this therapy for years. However, it has just been recently that modern medicine has begun testing to see if this is a viable option for pain relief. Magnets emit energy which is referred to as magnetic fields. They have the power to pass magnetic energy through objects. This process is referred to as polarity. They can be found in many forms, some of which are used to "stick" to a refrigerator. MRI machines use magnet fields which penetrate the body to diagnose various medical conditions. Alternative medicine has been using magnets for pain relief for centuries. There are reports of magnets being used to treat arthritis, baldness, poisoning, and gout. Because magnets attract iron they have often been used to find and remove objects from the body that contain iron. Many people used magnets for medical treatment after the Civil War because of the lack of medical treatment available to them.

People who use pacemakers or defibrillators should not use magnets. Also it is important to note that pregnant women are advised not to use magnets for pain relief. It is not known if there are any side effects to the fetus.

Types of Pain that could be Treated by Magnets

Although there a individuals who feel they have achieved results with magnets, the FDA and modern medicine have not approved the use of this therapy. Alternative medicine is generally not recognized by the FDA as being a viable option for treatment. It is important to note that although magnets have been used on obese people, the results have been inconsistent since fat tends to be too dense for magnetic energy to pass through.

Many people have reported experiencing relief from a wide variety of illnesses, such as respiratory distress, arthritis, and high blood pressure. But one of the most common use for magnets is pain relief. It is especially helpful for people who have undergone chemotherapy for cancer who complain of bone pain which is very hard to treat. Using mattress pads which contain magnets are now available which reportedly could help relieve this type pain.